Idol's Eye

Idol's Eye
Weight70.21 carats (14.042 g)
ColorVery light blue
CutTabular, free-form. Inscribed.
Country of originIndia
Mine of originKollur Mine
Discovered1600
Original ownerprivately owned

The Idol's Eye (also Idols Eye) is a 70.21-carat Golconda diamond. It has a very light blue colour with nine main facets and was found in 1600 in the Golconda Sultanate in southern India. According to legend, the diamond was initially owned by Prince Rahab of Persia, who gave it to his creditors to settle his debts. The diamond re-appeared on 14 July 1865, when it was introduced by Christie's for auction in London, where it was purchased by Ottoman sultan Abdul Hamid II. After the Turkish Nationalist revolution, the Ottoman Sultanate was abolished and Abdul Hamid II was exiled to Paris. Along with other belongings, he carried a consignment of imperial jewels, but one of his servants betrayed him and sold them in Paris on 24 July 1909, after which it was purchased by a Spanish aristocrat. Following World War II, it was sold to the American jeweller Harry Winston, and later purchased by the American philanthropist May Bonfils Stanton. After her death in 1962, it was purchased by the Chicago jewelry store owner Harry Levinson at auction.[1][2][3][4]

  1. ^ "Idol's Eye: World Famous Diamonds". jewellermagazine.com. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  2. ^ ""Idol's Eye" Diamond with Harry Winston Necklace Diamond: early 17th century, Necklace: mid 20th century". Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2000. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  3. ^ Victoria Finlay (2006). Jewels: A Secret History. Random House Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 9780345493354. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  4. ^ Baumgold, Julie (2005). The Diamond: A Novel. Simon & Schuster. pp. 35–45. ISBN 9780743274548. Retrieved 5 August 2022.