The Regent Antique Diamond

Cushion cut diamonds are old cuts, generally pre-1920s.theft or robbery of the diamond, unsuprising considering
They are characterised by smaller top facetshow he acquired the diamond in the first place! He
("tables"), and slightly deeper proportions. This results inrarely slept in the same place for two nights running,
greater light dispersion. The down side to this is a slightdisguised himself whenever he had the diamond on
loss of light from the bottom of the diamond, thoughhim, and refused to ever show it or admit that he had
this is generally less that one percent of the light fallingit.
on the stone.In 1717, the gem was sold to Philip II, Duke of Orleans,
Some of the world's most famous diamonds are notthen Regent of France; since that time, it has been
as bright "in the flesh" as they may seem inknown as the Regent Diamond. Two generations later,
photographs. A visit to the Tower of London to seewhen the French Crown Jewels were adorned the
the Star of Africa is slightly disappointing, as the highRoyal Family in many different kinds of personal
security means that the light is poor, and the diamondornaments, Marie Antoinette used the Regent to adorn
fails to sparkle as well as it might....a large black-velvet hat.
This is not the case with the Pitt-Regent diamond.In 1792 it was stolen from the Garde Meuble, but
Generally considered the most beautiful of thequickly recovered, hidden in a ditch off the Champs
"Famous" diamonds, it is breathtaking, even through theElysee. In 1797, the great gem was pledged for money
security glass of its case.that helped Napolean in his ride to power. He had in
Currently in the Louvre in Paris, less than two minutesmounted in the hilt of his sword that he carried at his
from the Mona Lisa, this is the highlight of a diamondcoronation in 1804.
lover's trip to Paris. The Pitt-Regent is a 140 caratIn 1825, Charles X wore the Regent at his coronation; it
cushion cut diamond, of fantastic fire and life.remained in the Royal Crown until the time of
Originally known as the Pitt, this 410-carat stone wasNapolean III. Then, a place was made for it in a diadem
one of the last large diamonds to be found in India. It isdesigned for Empress Eugenie, as according to
said to have been discovered by a slave in about 1701.custom French queens are not actually crowned.
The slave stole the diamond, and concealed it inMany of the French Crown Jewels were sold at
bandages of a self-inflicted leg wound, and fled to theauction in 1887, but the Regent was reserved from the
coast.sale and exhibited at the Louvre among the national
There, he divulged his secret to an English sea captain,treasures. In 1940, when the Germans invaded Paris, it
offering him half the value of the stone in return forwas sent to Chambord, where it was secreted behind
safe passage to a free country. But during the voyagea stone panel.
to Bombay, the captain murdered the slave took theAfter the War, it was returned to Paris and put on
diamond. After selling it to an Indian diamond merchant,display in the Apollon Gallery of the Louvre Museum.
the captain squandered the proceeds and, in a fit ofPersonally, I'd recommend skipping the Mona Lisa, and
remorse, hanged himself.head straight for this! Even in moderate light, a
In 1702, the stone was sold to Governor Thomas Pittcomplete spectrum of light was visible reflecting from
Madras. He sent it to England and had it fashioned intoone of the lower girdle facets, from red to violet. This
a 140.50 carat cushion-shaped brilliant cut. The cuttingis a feature I have never seen in a diamond, and is
took two years and cost about £25,000. Sellingtotally mesmerising.
the diamond proved difficult, and Pitt suffered a fear of