ranked #11 out of 11 diamonds	rated 3.33 out of 5	total 93 votes

The Regent Diamond

The Regent diamond was originally known under the name The Pitt and was found in India in 1701 by a slave. Allegedly the slave stole the diamond and escaped to the sea. He told an English sea captain about the diamond in return for free passage, but the captain murdered the slave. The captain sold the diamond in Bombay, but he didn’t enjoy his new fortune and conscience-stricken he finally killed himself.

A year later the diamond was sold by an Indian diamond merchant to the English Governor Thomas Pitt - hence the name The Pitt diamond.

The original diamond weighed 410 carats, but because of the cutting it lost approx. 60% of its orginal weight. There were several smaller stones and one larger stone, which is cushion-shaped and has 140.50 carats. Although the diamond has a small imperfection, it’s still considered one of the most beautiful diamonds.

In 1717 Phillip II, Duke of Orleans and then Regent of France bought the diamond. Since that time it has been known as the Regent diamond.

The Regent has a long history of various famous owners and changed hands quite frequently. The Regent diamond was set in the crown of Louis XV, then it was removed and Queen Marie Leczinska wore the diamond as well as Marie Antoinette. Then the diamond was stolen during the French Revolution. Later it was found again and Napoleon had the diamond set in the hilt of his sword. After Napoleon was exiled, the diamond came to Austria to Emperor Francis I who sent it back to France. Later the Regent was again part of the French Crown Jewels, until it was set in Greek diadem. Then in 1887 the Regent diamond was exhibited at the Louvre, where it stayed until World War II. The diamond was then hidden from the Germans, but finally returned to the Louvre and is now on display in the Apollon Gallery of the Louvre Museum.