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 |
