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24 April 2025 update from Christie’s Spokesperson: The Golconda Blue’s historic provenance, uncovered by Christie’s research, has generated considerable market interest and much excitement globally. At this time, the owners have made the decision to pursue a sale of the diamond to a family member.
What follows is the original article.
Christie’s, the world-renowned auction house, is once again setting the stage for a historic moment in the world of high jewellery. This season, all eyes turn to The Golconda Blue – a resplendent 23.24-carat fancy vivid blue diamond that encapsulates centuries of history, glamour, and unmatched rarity.
This extraordinary jewel stands not only as a pinnacle of gemological perfection but also as a window into a regal past.
At first glance, The Golconda Blue captivates with its deeply saturated, vivid hue and elegant pear-shaped cut. However, the beauty of this diamond extends far beyond its mesmerizing appearance.
Sourced from the legendary Golconda mines in India, the stone hails from a region that once supplied the world’s most fabled gems. These ancient mines produced treasures such as the Hope Diamond, the Koh-i-Noor, and the Regent Diamond – names that resonate across centuries and continents for their storied pasts and near-mythical status.
But The Golconda Blue offers more than exceptional quality—it carries a royal provenance.
This exceptional diamond boasts a remarkable history rooted in Indian royalty. It once belonged to Yeshwant Rao Holkar II, the Maharaja of Indore and a distinguished member of the Holkar dynasty.
Alongside his wife, Sanyogitabai, the Maharaja was a leading figure of cosmopolitan refinement during the 1920s and 30s. Educated in England and a Knight of the Order of the Indian Empire, he spent much of his time abroad, developing a sophisticated appreciation for Western art, design, and, notably, jewellery.
The Maharaja’s affinity for fine jewels led to long-standing collaborations with some of the most iconic names in jewellery history. In 1913, his father acquired the famed Indore Pear diamonds from Chaumet, forging a lasting bond with the historic Parisian Maison.
A decade later, in 1923, during another visit to Chaumet, Yeshwant Rao commissioned a diamond bracelet featuring his own 23-carat pear-shaped Golconda blue diamond – The Golconda Blue itself (scroll this IG post from Vanessa Cron to view the gouache and the bracelet itself).
His evolving taste for the avant-garde drew him to Mauboussin, which he appointed his official jeweller in 1933. Mauboussin would go on to reimagine much of the Maharaja’s collection and create an exquisite Art Deco sautoir uniting The Golconda Blue with the Indore Pears. This iconic necklace was famously worn by the Maharani and immortalized in a 1930s portrait by French artist Bernard Boutet de Monvel—an image that continues to define royal elegance.
In the post-war years, the diamond’s journey continued with another legendary jeweller. In 1946, Harry Winston acquired the Indore Pears from the Maharaja, and the following January, he purchased The Golconda Blue. Winston initially set the blue diamond in a brooch alongside a matching 23-carat white diamond, which was sold to the Maharaja of Baroda. The brooch eventually returned to Winston, who later reimagined and sold it once more as a newly designed jewel.
Now, over a century since its first appearance, The Golconda Blue returns to the world stage in a dazzling new form: a striking contemporary ring by the visionary Parisian jeweller JAR. Known for his artistic ingenuity and rarity of production, JAR’s mounting offers a modern tribute to the diamond’s regal origins and storied journey.
The connection between this jewel and India’s princely states elevates it beyond value or craftsmanship—it becomes a relic of dynastic heritage, cultural confluence, and exceptional taste. The fact that this diamond has not only survived but evolved through generations of iconic jewellers is a testament to its lasting legacy.
Christie’s, with its long-standing tradition of bringing historically significant jewels to light, is proud to offer this treasure as a highlight of its upcoming auction season. Collectors, institutions, and lovers of rare gems will no doubt be drawn to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a piece of history.
As the anticipation builds, the global jewellery community watches with bated breath to see who will become the next custodian of The Golconda Blue.
Exceptional noble gems of this caliber come to market once in a lifetime. Over the course of its 259-year history, Christie’s has had the honor of offering some of the world’s most important Golconda diamonds, including the Archduke Joseph, the Princie, and the Wittelsbach. With its Royal heritage, extraordinary color, and exceptional size, The Golconda Blue is truly one of the rarest blue diamonds in the world.
Rahul Kadakia, Chriestie’s International Head of Jewellery