Some of the biggest, most expensive and famous diamonds have a history linked to Muslims:
Darya-ye Noor Diamond: One of the Crown Jewels from Iran. It is pale pink, exceptionally rare in diamonds. It was part of a larger stone in the throne of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan.
Koh-i-Noor Diamond: Originally the largest cut diamond in the world. Indian and Persian rulers fought over it and it was one of the most sought-after spoils of war. It was sent in 1849 to England and put on display.
Nizam Diamond: An old world diamond from India. It was a convex shape with irregular facets measuring 277 carats. It was owned by Nizams of Hyderabad in the 1830’s. It was lost, stolen or re-cut.
Noor-ol-Ein Diamond: One of the largest pink diamonds in the world. It is set in a platinum tiara fashioned for Empress Farah for her wedding to the last Shah of Iran in 1957.
Shah Diamond: From India in 1450. In 1591 it was given to Shah Nizam. It was seized by Mughul Emperor Akbar. In 1738 Nadir Shah took it as a spoil of war to Persia. In 1829 the Shah of Iran gave it as a gift to the Russian Government. It is housed in the Kremlin.
Spoonmakers Diamond: In 1774 a French officer bought it from the daughter of the Maharajah of Madras. It was bought by Napoleon’s mother. It was then purchased for Ali Pasha and was seized by the Ottoman State. It is a centerpiece of the Topkapi Palace Museum collection in Istanbul, Turkey.
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