Among the famous historic diamonds of the world, the English Dresden occupies a unique place. It should not be confused with the celebrated Dresden Green. The English Dresden was originally a rough diamond of about 119 carats, believed to be of Brazilian origin, and was first recorded in 1857. However, considering its high quality of lustre and its shape some researchers are of the view that it was of indian origin. Any way. It is debatable.
The green diamond was purchased by Edward Dresden, a prominent London jeweler and diamond dealer from whom the stone derived its name. After acquisition, the rough diamond was sent to Coster Diamonds of Amsterdam for cutting. The firm was already renowned for having undertaken the delicate re-cutting of the famous Koh-i-Noor in 1852. When the English Dresden was finally polished, it weighed 76.50 carats. The gem was cut into a magnificent pear shape and was admired for its exceptional clarity, brilliance, and attractive color.
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| English Dresden green diamond naturaldiamondcouncil.com |
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| Dresden green diamond studiodharma.in |
Above images: The Dresden Green Diamond (Weight roughly 41 carats) is of India origin apparently from the Golconda region(source is now defunct Kollur diamond mines in the Krishna river alluvials of Andhra state).Documented evidences suggest its early 18th century, when a Dutch merchant at the Leipzig Fair in 1741 offered the stone to Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony. In the end, his son and successor, Augustus III, acquired the diamond in 1742.He is said to have paid 400,000 thalers,twice the cost of building Dresden’s famed Church of Our Lady in the same area. The diamond’s natural green color has a very different effect- an apple-green tone created not by trace elements like boron or nitroge.It could be due to natural radiation exposure over pretty long geologic span of time.The famous green diamond is housed in a special Green vault on the second floor of Dresden Castle in Germany............
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| Dresden Diamond metmuseum.org |
Contemporary experts considered the English Dresden superior in several respects to the Koh-i-Noor, yet it failed to attract a buyer. During the early 1860s, European and Indian diamond merchants, as well as wealthy nobles, showed surprisingly little interest. The asking price steadily declined because of the lack of demand. Eventually, Edward Dresden, with the assistance of an English merchant operating from Bombay, sold the diamond to a wealthy cotton trader. The purchase was made during the boom in cotton prices caused by the American Civil War. The diamond reportedly sold for about £32,000, a considerable sum at the time. However, when cotton prices collapsed after the war, the new owner suffered severe financial losses and died before settling his affairs.
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| Diamonds of India origin? instagram.com |
Above image: For centuries, diamonds had been mined and cut in India and many of them became world famous for their mystery and legacy...........
The diamond then passed into the hands of Malhar Rao Gaekwad, the ruler of the princely state of Baroda. In 1880, the Gaekwad had the English Dresden mounted in a spectacular necklace together with another celebrated gem, the Star of the South, which he had also acquired. The necklace became one of the most magnificent pieces in the Baroda treasury.
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| Maharajah Pratap Gaekwad of Baroda son Princy & Maharani Sita Devi indianrajputs.com |
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| Maharani Sita Devi and Dresden diamond reenaahluwalia.com |
The English Dresden changed ownership again in 1934, when it was reportedly acquired by Cursetjee Furdoonji, a Parse Merchant of India. Since then, its history has become uncertain. Modern researchers agree that the exact whereabouts of the diamond are unknown, and its ownership remains a subject of debate among historians and gem experts. Despite this mystery, the English Dresden continues to be regarded as one of the finest nineteenth-century diamonds ever cut and one of the most intriguing jewels connected with the legendary treasures of Baroda.
