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| Briolette of India 90 carat diamond internetstones.com |
Briolette of India 90 carat diamond, one of the oldest in the world was in the jewelry collections of the Heidi-Horten, Austria based business family until April-May 2023 and was sold at a heft sum at Christie's auction sale In Dubai. As to its origin, majority of the gemologists believe though its provenance, considering its luster and quality is of India, it is often a subject of debate and some come up with the a postulation that it could be of African origin. Kollur mines of S. India (now defunct) had produced quality diamonds for several centuries. About briolette, it is claimed by many that it was cut and shaped in the early 20th century in Paris, France
On the question of weather Briolette is cursed or jinxed, opinions differ. In the bygone era many rulers believe in the mystic power of a just pure gold rings, gem-crusted rings and diamonds. This kind of belief was more common in India than elsewhere.
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| Eleanor of Aquitaine. slideserve.com |
Above mage: On the 25th of July 1137, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right, and the future Louis VII of France married in the Cathedral of Saint-Andre in Bordeaux. The marriage between was arranged by Louis VII’s father – King Louis VI of France known as the Fat.
King Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine.olivialongueville.com
The famous stone was originally gifted to Eleanor of Aquitaine (first European woman to wear a diamond) by her husband King Louis VII of France, both of whom were traveling with the crusading soldiers campaigning together in the holy land Notwithstanding the jewels and Briolette diamond, their marriage was not not a happy one, getting worse as years went by.to the point of annulment after a pretty long period. They became separated for good after the final verdict on March 11, 1152. Reason: consanguinity (meaning they were closely blood related – Eleanor was Louis’ third cousin once removed). The marriage was dissolved at at the castle at Beaugency on the Loire River, near the city of Orléans. Their 15-year matrimony was over, and in less than 3 months, Eleanor of Aquitaine married again. The two shared two daughters from this marriage, custody of whom were awarded to Louis.
Later Eleanor married the Duke of Normandy, later King Henry II of England. In reality, she he was more closely related to Henry than she had been to Louis. From this marriage, she and Henry had five sons and three daughters, the most popular being . King Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart. He inherited the Briolette diamond and said to have kept it with him on his war missions -particularly the Third Crusade.
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| King Henry II of France - 1547 to 1559 internetstones.com |
English king d Richard I the Lion heart, who reigned in England from 1189 to 1199 AD was a staunch believer in the great protective properties of the diamond. No doubt, on his raids to the Holy land Jerusalem -first crusade in 1190 he k took the Briolette along with him as a sort of charm - for good luck, protection and victory. Sometimes, you can not get away from the edit of God. Fate had it he fell on the midway had to stop to rest. While he was away, his brother John, taking advantage of his long absence at the right opportune, seized power in England. After a prolonged war against the the Turks, Richard became fatigued and was was too sick to resume his journey back to England having failed in his mission to capture Jerusalem. Trouble did not stop there and on his return journey he was captured by the Duke of Austria and locked up, as an enemy of the German empire. After two years Richard was finally released to go back to England.
Though he possessed Briolette to ward off misfortunes, for a decade or so he faced a series of troubles in succession right from losing power, surviving illness, capture, and imprisonment all caught him unaware one by one. To cap it all Richard, at last, was, fatally wounded while fighting in France. During this unfortunate period, it is believed, that the Briolette was stolen and landed in the safe vault of French royal treasury.
Were the misfortunes suffered by the European families caused by the dazzling briolette? It is a riddle that needs a plausible answer!! Despite a variety of reasons attributed by many one fact stands clearly ''looting or stealing objects of reverence from the holy sanctified places of worship is bad.''
in.images.search.yahoo.com
https://www.navrangindia.in/2014/12/the-briolette-of-india-oldest-diamond.htm
https://internetstones.com/briolette-of-india-diamond-famous-jewelry.html
