The English Dresden. www.embeediatech.ca |
Diamonds are fascinating precious stones and since centuries the demand for diamonds has not declined. Diamond jewelry is part of some rich families' jewelry collections world over. Curiosity never declines when it comes to historical, old and famous diamonds.
The English Dresden is different from Dresden Green. The English Dresden rough diamond -119 carat of Brazilian origin,first found in 1857 was purchased by an English diamond merchant Edward Dresden, the 19th century jeweler and diamond dealer of London It was later cut by Messrs. Coster's of Amsterdam. The company already got a name when they undertook the delicate task of re-cutting of the most famous of all historic diamonds, the Koh-i-Noor, in 1852.
Though it was judged to be superior than the Koh-I-Noor diamond, this resplendent polished diamond weighing 76.50 carat, pear-shaped with remarkable diamond clarity and exceptional diamond color, unfortunately had no taker. European, Indian diamond merchants (1863) and nobles did not take any interest. Somehow, for unknown reason they were not much impressed by the asking price. The price was declining due to lack of demand.
Maharaja PratapGaekwad of Barod ,son Princy and wife Maharani Sita Devi indianrajputs.com |
Dresden with the help of an English merchant working out of Bombay, India, sold it to a cotton merchant who had made a small fortune on account of rise of cotton price caused by the American Civil War (between the Union and the Confederates). After a long spell, at last, the English Dresden was sold for $32,000.00 pounds. As ill luck would have it, the cotton prices declined drastically and the new owner incurred heavy loss. Terribly shaken-up, the new owner died with unsettled estate. This time, the diamond was purchased by Malhār Rāo, the Gaekwad of the princely state of Baroda, in India. In 1880 the Indian Maharajah Gaekwad had the diamond set in a necklace along with its sister stone the Star of the South, which he had also purchased. In 1948, the necklace underwent some alteration and more diamonds were added to the necklace to make it more impressive.
An Old & Rare Photo of Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda m.google.com |
The English Dresden in 1934 changed hands and the new owner was Cursetjee Fardoonji. Regarding its whereabouts, it is a controversial matter.
Maharani Sita Devi, Baroda wearing English Dresden./www.embeediatech.ca |
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