One of the world’s rarest diamonds, The Golconda Blue, is set to headline Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva on May 14, 2025. Weighing 23.24 carats, this Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond carries an estimated value between $35 million and $50 million. Mounted in a ring by renowned Parisian jeweler JAR, what sets The Golconda Blue apart is not just its remarkable color and size, but its deep connection to Indian royalty and a rich historical lineage.
The Golconda Blue’s journey traces back to Indian royalty, where it was once part of the collection of Yeshwant Rao Holkar, the Maharaja of Indore. Known for his cosmopolitan taste and passion for fine art and jewelry, the Maharaja was an influential figure in the 1920s and ’30s. His connection to exquisite gemstones began in 1913, when his father acquired the famed Indore Pear diamonds from the prestigious Parisian jeweler Chaumet. The relationship between the Holkar family and Chaumet continued, with the Maharaja commissioning a bracelet in 1923, set with a 23-carat pear-shaped Golconda blue diamond.
In 1933, Holkar appointed another Parisian jeweler, Mauboussin, to craft a new collection for him. This collaboration led to the creation of an exceptional necklace that incorporated both the Golconda Blue and the Indore Pears. The necklace was worn by the Maharani of Indore in a portrait by Bernard Boutet de Monvel. The Maharaja also worked with other renowned jewelers, including Harry Winston. In 1946, Winston purchased the Indore Pears from the Maharaja and, the following year, acquired the 23-carat Golconda blue diamond. Mr. Winston set the diamond in a brooch, which was later sold to the Maharaja of Baroda. After some years, the brooch was reacquired by Mr. Winston and resold as a newly designed jewel.
Now, more than a century later, the Golconda Blue is being offered for the first time at auction, set in a modern and striking ring by JAR. Christie’s International Head of Jewelry, Rahul Kadakia, commented on the rarity of the diamond: “Exceptional noble gems of this caliber come to market once in a lifetime. Over the course of its 259-year history, Christie’s has had the honor of offering some of the world’s most important Golconda diamonds, including the Archduke Joseph, the Princie, and the Wittelsbach. With its Royal heritage, extraordinary color, and exceptional size, The Golconda Blue is truly one of the rarest blue diamonds in the world.”
This news follows the recent announcement by Sotheby’s which is auctioning the 10.3 carat ‘The Mediterranean Blue’ on May 13, 2025.
The Golconda Blue is not just a stunning diamond, it’s part of a much broader history. The legacy of Golconda diamonds dates back to 327 BC, when Alexander the Great is said to have brought diamonds from India to Europe, sparking the West’s fascination with these rare gems. By the 13th century, Marco Polo was writing about the charm of Indian diamonds, and the fascination only grew from there. Today, The Golconda Blue represents not only a natural marvel but also a piece of history that spans continents, dynasties, and centuries.
