The Taj Mahal Diamond is a testament to the intersection of imperial power, romantic devotion, and the storied legacy of Indian gemology. While its name often leads to confusion with other famous stones, this specific diamond remains one of the most culturally significant artifacts of the Mughal era. A heart-shaped, table-cut gem, it serves as a physical bridge between the courtly traditions of 17th-century India and the high-profile glamour of 20th-century Hollywood.
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| Taj Mahal Diamond internetstones.com |
Above image: Taj Mahal diamond is smaller than that of Taj-i-Mah 115.06 carat. This diamond is of Indian origin, positively from the Kollur mines of (present Andhra state) of the Golconda Kingdom of south India,.In 1972, British actor Richard Burton bought it from Cartier as a gift for Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, after which it became widely known as “Elizabeth Taylor’s Taj Mahal diamond...........
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| The Taj Mahal,Agra idelish.com |
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| part of The Taj Mahal, Agra en.wikipedia.org |
Above images: A fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture designed by architect Ahmad ma'mar,The Taj Mahal complex in Agra city with the garden and buildings and gardens extends over 22.44 hectares (55.5 acres)of land. The complex was completed by 1648AD. The tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are inside the mausoleum ...........
Origins and Imperial History
The diamond originated in India, almost certainly from the legendary Golconda mines, which were the world's exclusive source of high-quality diamonds during the Mughal Empire. Estimated to have been cut between 1621 and 1627, the stone is technically a "Lasque" diamond—a flat, table-cut variety favored by Mughal lapidaries to preserve maximum surface area for inscriptions.
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| Begum Mumtaz Mahal and Mogul ruler Shah Jahan en.wikipedia.org |
The gem is inscribed in Persian with the name Nur Jahan, the influential wife of Emperor Jahangir. It also bears the Hijri date 1037 (approximately 1627 CE). Historical tradition holds that Jahangir gifted the diamond to his son, Prince Khurram—who would later ascend the throne as Shah Jahan. In a gesture of profound affection, Shah Jahan presented the diamond to his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in whose memory he would later construct the Taj Mahal. The diamond’s inscription, "Love is Everlasting," underscores its role as a talisman of eternal devotion.
The Iranian Distinction: Clearing a Misconception
A common historical error involves confusing the Taj Mahal Diamond with the Taj-i-Mah ("Crown of the Moon"). The Taj-i-Mah is a significantly larger, 115.06-carat colorless diamond that forms part of the Iranian Crown Jewels in Tehran.
The Iranians came to possess the Taj-i-Mah (along with the Darya-i-Nur) following the 1739 invasion of Delhi by the Persian ruler Nadir Shah. During the sack of the Mughal capital, Nadir Shah seized the peacock throne and the vast majority of the imperial treasury. While the larger Taj-i-Mah was carted off to Persia as a trophy of war, the smaller, heart-shaped Taj Mahal Diamond followed a different, more obscure path through various private collections before resurfacing in the West.
The Elizabeth Taylor Era and the 2011 Auction
In the modern era, the diamond became synonymous with the legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor. In 1972, her husband Richard Burton purchased the diamond as a 40th birthday gift. Burton famously remarked that he would have liked to buy her the Taj Mahal itself, but the diamond would have to suffice. The stone was set into a magnificent gold and ruby pendant by Cartier, designed in the Mughal style.
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| Ms.Margot Robbie, Taj Mahal Diamond with pendant and Ms. Taylor thedailyherald.in |
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| Ricard Burton with Taj Mahal diamond pendant forbes.com |
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| 1972 Liz Tailor with Taj Mahal diamond Pendant forbes.com |
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| The Taj Mahal Diamond Pendant internetstones.com |
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| The Taj Mahal Diamond Pendant christies.com |
Following Taylor’s death, her jewelry collection was auctioned by Christie's (not Courtier) in December 2011. The Taj Mahal Diamond pendant was one of the evening's highlights. Estimated to sell for between $300,000 and $500,000, it sparked a fierce bidding war, eventually selling for a staggering $8.8 million. This set a world record for an Indian jewel, reflecting the diamond's unique blend of imperial provenance and its association with a Hollywood icon. The Taj Mahal Diamond remains a quintessential symbol of the "fabled jewels of India," embodying a history that spans from the workshops of Golconda to the auction houses of New York.
https://internetstones.com/taj-mahal-diamond-famous-jewelry.html
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5507931
K.N. Jayaraman (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com)
