Curious case of precious diamond - Black Orlov Diamond

Curious case of precious diamond - Black Orlov Diamond

1.The Black Orlov is a black diamond, also known as the Eye of Brahma Diamond. It weighs 67.50 carats (13.500 g).The diamond—originally 195 carats (39.0 g)—is said to have been discovered in the early 19th century in India. It supposedly featured as one of the eyes in a statue of the Hindu god Brahma in Pondicherry.The Black Orlov Diamond is the 7th largest black diamond and perhaps the largest cushion-cut black diamond in the world

2.This magnificent piece of gem was originally the eye of a Hindu idol, most probably Shiva and not Brahma as many articles on black Orlov have mentioned. Many reports mention that the temple is located near Pondicherry (once a French territory), southern India and the details of temple are sketchy. The Hindu God Shiva, the cosmic dancer is believed to have three eyes, one being the sun representing light and the other being the moon representing dark, located on opposite sides of the head. The third eye is located deep in the center of the forehead and perceives knowledge/wisdom that is not physically discernible. This black diamond probably represents the moon or dark eye of the idol.

3.According to legend,It was stolen by a monk, this theft caused the diamond to be cursed.In 1932, diamond dealer J. W. Paris is said to have taken the diamond to the United States and soon after committed suicide by jumping from a skyscraper in New York City.Later owners included two Russian princesses called Leonila Galitsine-Bariatinsky and Nadia Vygin-Orlov (after whom the diamond is named).Both women allegedly jumped to their deaths in the 1940s.

4. Both women allegedly jumped to their deaths in the 1940s. The diamond was later bought by Charles F. Winson and cut into three pieces in an attempt to break the curse; the 67.5-carat Black Orlov was set into a brooch of 108 diamonds, suspended from a necklace of 124 diamonds.The diamond was purchased by diamond dealer Dennis Petimezas in 2004; Petimezas said he was "pretty confident that the curse is broken".The Black Orlov has been displayed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the Natural History Museum in London.

5.Many mysteries are shrouded around this precious diamond.But the universally accepted and undeniable fact is Ancient India is home for many precious diamonds in the world.How and when this Diamond moved out of our country is still a mystery