The Seraphim Blue Diamond has emerged as a subject of renewed interest among gem experts and collectors alike. Estimated to be between 6 and 8 carats, this pear-shaped blue diamond may not boast an exceptionally large size compared to some of history’s famous diamonds, but its historic provenance and Golconda origin place it in a class of its own. Believed to have been mined in the early 18th century, the diamond is intricately linked to Asaf Jah I, the first Nizam of Hyderabad, whose rule marked the beginning of the powerful Asaf Jahi dynasty that governed the Deccan for over two centuries.
ORIGIN AND PROVENANCE
The Seraphim Blue Diamond traces its history back to 1724, a year of significance not only in the gem’s own story but also in the political history of the Deccan. That year, Mir Qamar-ud-Din Khan, better known as Asaf Jah I, established himself as the Nizam of Hyderabad, founding the Asaf Jahi dynasty that would later become synonymous with wealth, culture, and opulence. It was during this time that the diamond entered royal possession.
The diamond is said to have been part of the Golconda diamond mines, which were already legendary across the world for their exceptional gems. These mines, located near present-day Hyderabad, were the source of some of the world’s most celebrated diamonds, including the Koh-i-Noor, Hope Diamond, and Darya-i-Noor. Diamonds from Golconda were renowned for their purity, whiteness, and fire, often described as having a distinct “inner light.” The Seraphim Blue shares these attributes, enhanced by a natural faint blue hue—a rarity in nature that made it even more precious.
ESTABLISHING THE ASAF JAHI DYNASTY
The origins of the Asaf Jahi dynasty are deeply rooted in the turbulent politics of the Mughal Empire. Following the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the once-mighty Mughal Empire began to fragment. The Deccan region, long a strategic and wealthy area, became the focus of competing interests.
Mir Qamar-ud-Din Khan had served under Aurangzeb and earned the emperor’s trust as a skilled administrator and military commander. After Aurangzeb’s death, he continued to serve the Mughal court but grew increasingly disillusioned by the chaos that followed in Delhi. In 1724, taking advantage of the empire’s decline, he declared his autonomy and established himself as the ruler of the Deccan with his seat in Hyderabad.
Adopting the title Asaf Jah I, he laid the foundation of what became one of India’s most enduring dynasties. His rule brought stability, administrative efficiency, and prosperity to the region. The city of Hyderabad, already famed for its wealth and diamond trade, flourished further under his reign. It was in this context of rising regional power and opulence that the Seraphim Blue Diamond was set into a turban ornament worn by Asaf Jah I—a symbol of his authority and magnificence.
THE NIZAM’S SERAPHIM BLUE DIAMOND
During the early 18th century, royal treasuries in India were repositories of extraordinary gems, many of which had deep historical connections. The Seraphim Blue Diamond formed part of this magnificent collection. It was reportedly set in an exuberant turban ornament, richly adorned with pearls, emeralds, and other diamonds, reflecting the grandeur of the Nizam’s court. This during the reign of the first Nizam of Hyderabad (Asaf Jah I) – the time frame was around 1724 and marked, the start of the Nizam rule in the Deccan region.
The Nizams’ jewels were not merely ornaments; they symbolized sovereignty, legitimacy, and divine favor. Blue diamonds, in particular, held a special fascination—they were rare, mesmerizing, and linked with notions of protection and divine grace. The Seraphim Blue Diamond, with its distinct pear shape and old-mine cut, represented both craftsmanship and tradition. The old-mine cut—a forerunner to the modern brilliant cut—was prevalent in the 17th and 18th centuries and aimed to maximize the gem’s brilliance under candlelight.
Transfer And French Connection
The fate of the Seraphim Blue Diamond took a significant turn during the reign of Asaf Jah II, the second Nizam of Hyderabad. The 18th century was a period of intense political maneuvering in the Indian subcontinent, as European colonial powers vied for influence. The French and the British East India Companies both sought to secure alliances with powerful Indian rulers.
The French, under leaders such as Joseph François Dupleix, managed to gain influence in the Deccan by offering military support to local rulers. Facing regional threats and internal instability, the second Nizam turned to the French for assistance. In return for military protection, he handed over several valuable possessions, one of which was reportedly the Seraphim Blue Diamond.
This transaction marked the diamond’s exit from the Nizam’s treasury. While the precise documentation of this transfer is unclear—typical for the time—the story is supported by oral accounts and historical narratives that detail the Nizams’ interactions with the French. Over time, as power shifted decisively in favor of the British, many such treasures either disappeared, were sold, or found their way into private European collections.
LOST TREASURES OF THE NIZAMS
The Seraphim Blue Diamond is emblematic of a broader narrative—the dispersal of the Nizam’s treasures. Over the centuries, the Asaf Jahi dynasty amassed one of the most fabulous collections of jewels in the world. Their treasury included some of the largest diamonds, rarest gemstones, and magnificent ornaments ever created.
However, political turmoil, colonial intervention, and personal exchanges led to the loss or dispersal of many of these treasures. Some were stolen, others sold under duress, and many were transferred without any formal record. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, only a fraction of the original collection remained in Hyderabad. The Seraphim Blue, long gone from the Nizam’s possession, became part of this lost legacy.
SERAPHIM BLUE DIAMOND FEATURES
From a gemological perspective, the Seraphim Blue Diamond stands out for its pear shape and old-mine cutting style. The pear cut, which combines the round brilliant and the marquise shape, was a popular choice for royal ornaments, as it symbolized tears of joy or divine blessings. The old-mine cut gives the gem a deeper pavilion and a smaller table, resulting in a warm, candlelight-like glow that contrasts sharply with the sharper brilliance of modern cuts.
The diamond’s Golconda origin further enhances its mystique. Golconda diamonds are almost chemically pure Type IIa diamonds, meaning they contain negligible nitrogen impurities, giving them a transparency and luster unmatched by other sources. The faint blue coloration is likely caused by trace amounts of boron—a rare occurrence in nature—making the gem doubly rare as both a Golconda and a blue diamond.
Legacy and Continuing Fascination
Today, the Seraphim Blue Diamond continues to fascinate historians, gemologists, and collectors. Reports of the sighting of the stunning Golconda diamond in a Russian collection, confirm observations about the features of the Seraphim Blue Diamond, that have often been rumored about.
Its modest size compared to larger royal diamonds does not diminish its importance; rather, its provenance, beauty, and connection to the Nizams of Hyderabad make it a historically significant gem.
The diamond also serves as a reminder of the intersection of politics, power, and precious stones in the history of India. Each gem in the Nizams’ collection had a story—some were gifts, others trophies, and a few, like the Seraphim Blue, symbols of alliance and diplomacy.
CONCLUSION
The story of the Seraphim Blue Diamond reflects not only the splendor of Golconda’s diamond legacy but also the political and cultural richness of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. From its origin in the Golconda mines to its adornment in the turban of Asaf Jah I and eventual transfer to the French, the diamond’s journey mirrors the shifting fortunes of the Deccan itself.
Though small in size, the Seraphim Blue Diamond embodies immense historical significance—a luminous fragment of a bygone era when India’s rulers adorned themselves with the rarest jewels on earth, each stone carrying within it the stories of empire, artistry, and enduring allure.
