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Description of the
Regent Diamond
The Regent Diamond
is one of the most famous diamonds in the world. It is currently
displayed at the Louvre in Paris. The Regent Diamond
weighs 140.64 carats and is colored white. It is a square shaped cushion
cut diamond. The Regent Diamond is the size of a small plum and measures
47.6mm in height, 31.75mm in width and 34.92 mm in length.
Origin of the name
of the Regent Diamond
The Regent
originated from India in Golconda where it was found at the at the Parteal
mine. The famous Regent diamond was first known as the Pitt Diamond when
it was purchased by the British Prime Minister William Pitt. Its common
name, the Regent, originated from the title of the Duke of Orleans who was
the Regent of France who purchased the diamond in 1717. Philippe II,
Duke of Orleans, Philippe Charles (1674 – 1723) was the Regent of France
from 1715 to 1723. He was the Regent of France during the minority of the
young King Louis XV who acceded to the French throne when he was just five
years old.
History of the
Regent Diamond
Myths and legends
surround the stone. It is of incredible value. The Regent Diamond originated from India in Golconda
where it was mined at the at the Parteal mine. Found by a slave, who was
murdered. A suicide followed then the Regent was sold to Governor Thomas
Pitt of Fort George, Madras. The diamond gave him no pleasure and it was
purchased by the Regent of France and became part of the French regalia,
the crown jewels. Owned by French Kings until the bloody French revolution
and then owned by the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. France became a republic
and the Regent Diamond became a National treasure. The Regent Diamond is currently housed in the
Louvre in Paris, France. The lives and the greed of
many of the owners and wearers of the Regent Diamond have become part of the history
of the Regent diamond.
The History Timeline of the Regent Diamond
The following
timeline & history of the Regent details important historical events and
dates:
|
Dates in History of
the Regent |
Timeline & History of
Regent
Diamond
|
|
1700 |
The diamond
originated from the Parteal mine, Golconda in India and
was stolen by a slave who smuggled it in the bandages of
a self-inflicted leg wound and fled to Bombay |
|
1700 |
The runaway
slave met an English captain who agreed to give passage
to the slave and help him to sell the diamond |
|
1700 |
The
captain murdered the slave and kept the diamond for
himself |
|
1701 |
The
murderous sea captain reached Madras and sold the
diamond to an Indian dealer named Jamchund. He spent the
blood money and then filled with guilt and remorse he
hanged himself |
|
1702 |
The
dealer, Jamchund, sold the stone to Governor Thomas Pitt
of Fort George, Madras. Thomas Pitt was the grandfather
of William Pitt famous for his part in the American
Revolution |
|
1702 |
Governor
Thomas Pitt became paranoid about losing the diamond.
The diamond had become famous and Pitt was so scared it
would be stolen that he never spent more two consecutive
nights in the same house |
|
1717 |
In 1717 Pitt sold the diamond
to the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France - from where
the name of the diamond originated.
He was the
Regent of France during the minority of the young King
Louis XV |
|
1722 |
The
Regent diamond was set in the crown of King Louis XV for
his coronation in 1722. The Regent thus became part of
the French Regalia (Crown Jewels)
Louis XV became a weak and dissolute King. One of his mistresses
was Madame de Pompadour and another was the Comtesse Du Barry who was beheaded during the French
Revolution |
|
1723 |
In 1723
the Regent diamond was removed from the crown and was
worn by Queen Marie Leczinska in her hair. |
|
1775 |
The
Regent was re-set in a new crown for the coronation of
King Louis XVI in 1775. Marie Antoinette then used the
Regent diamond to adorn a large black-velvet hat |
|
1792 -
August |
This
diamond was, with the rest of the French regalia, seized
in August, 1792, and deposited in the Garde-Meuble
(Royal Treasury) during the French Revolution |
|
1792 - September |
In
September the Crown Jewels, including the Regent
Diamond were stolen when the Garde Meuble (Royal
Treasury) was stormed by rioters. |
|
1795 |
The Regent Diamond was
recovered apparently found hidden in the rafters of roof |
|
1795 - 1799 |
From November 2, 1795 until
November 10, 1799 the Directory (or Directoire) held
executive power in France during the later stages of the
French Revolution and the Regent Diamond was often used
as a security |
|
1799 |
The Directory fell in a coup of
and was replaced by the Consulate. During this period
Napoleon Bonaparte established himself as First Consul |
|
1804 |
In 1804
Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned
Emperor
He had the
Regent Diamond mounted in the hilt of his sword that he
carried at his coronation |
|
1814 |
Napoleon
was forced into exile in Elba. Marie Louisa, his second
wife, carried the Regent diamond to Austria. However,
her father, Emperor Francis I of Austria, returned it to
France and it again became part of the French Crown
Jewels |
|
1814 |
King
Louis XVIII
wore the precious gem in the Royal Crown at his
coronation |
|
1825 |
In 1825
King Charles X wore the stone in the Royal Crown at his
coronation |
|
1852 |
Napoleon
III wore the diamond in the Royal Crown at his
coronation and then it was re-set in a Greek diadem
designed for Empress Eugenie. |
|
1870 |
The Emperor
was captured at the Battle of Sedan and was deposed by
the forces of the Third Republic in Paris |
|
1887 |
In 1887
many of the French Crown Jewels were sold at auction but
the Regent was exhibited at the Louvre as one of the
national treasures of France. It remains there today |
|
Timeline & History |
Timeline & History of
the Regent |
History Timeline
of the Regent
The above history
timeline of the diamond details important historical events and
dates and the legends and myths that surround the diamond.
The Regent Diamond
The above timeline &
history details important historical events and dates.
Fascinating information about the history of the Regent stone providing
comprehensive facts, information and timeline about the history of the famous
diamond.
Famous - Precious - History
Timeline -
Stone - Guide - Timeline - Facts - Information -Info
History - History Timeline - Timeline & History - History
Regent Diamond
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