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Koh-I-Noor

The Koh-I-Noor is an oval cut diamond which weighs 105.6 carats. It is estimated that the orginal diamond weighed 600 carats. The legend says that whoever owns the Koh-I-Noor rules the world!

Its origin has the Koh-I-Noor in India. The diamond was firstly mentioned in 1304 when the Indian Rajah of Malwa owned the stone. Later the first mughal emperor Babur was the owner of the diamond who mentioned the stone in his memoires.

For over two centuries the diamond was one of the most precious jewels of the mughal emperors in India. Until 1739 as Nadir Schah of Persia got the diamond through a trick. He suggested the changing of the turbans - an accepted custom at that time which couldn’t be refused. As Nadir Shah finally had the famous diamond in his hand, he exclaimed: Koh-I-Noor - Mountain of Light!

After many adventures the diamond finally came to Queen Victoria of England in 1851. Due to the lack of brilliance the diamond was cut again in order to improve its brilliance. The Koh-I-Noor was cut from 186 carats to its current 105.6 carats.

The Koh-I-Noor is set in the Maltese Cross at the front of the crown of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mum, together with more than 2000 diamonds. The British crown jewels are the symbol of the British Monarchy and are only used for coronation cermonies. The Koh-I-Noor and the British crown jewels are kept in the Tower of London.

Legends around the Koh-I-Noor

There are many legends around the Koh-I-Noor. One legend says that whoever owns the Koh-I-Noor rules the world. The other legend says that the Koh-I-Noor brings misfortune or death to any male who owns the stone and brings good luck to women owners. How fortunate for Great Britain that they have a queen!