There are a small amount of grand secrets kept from the acquaintance of the contemporary historian, who writes down the events of the time for the newspaper Press. An expensive stone of more than normal significance sees the light to-day, and to-morrow its beginning is very well known to the entire world. After that due archives are kept of its travels and adventures. Its comings and goings are noted as substance of widespread curiosity. We may possibly not be well-versed of the speckled maneuverings in which it is a feature, but it is on evidence, it is catalogued in the world’s museum of resources; the “bull’s-eye of the Press” has been twisted upon it; the opinions of Queens and Emperors in view to it are registered, in addition to the decision of experts and scientists; in small it belongs to history.
What might not an inventive fancy build upon the vague traditions which hang about the story of the Nizam diamond? Although one of the very largest stones in the world, little or nothing reliable is known about it, except as to its size, estimated value, and its fortunate owner.
Barbot says that, “the King of Golconda possesses a magnificent stone in the rough state. It is known by the name of the Nizam, weighs 340 carats, and is valued at 5,000,000 francs” (pound 200,000). For “the King of Golconda,” a title which has long been obsolete, though still flourishing in French literature, we should here read, “the Nizam of Hyderabad.” This prince, who is the most powerful semi-independant ruler in the Deccan, is a lineal descendant of the former Mogul Viceroy of Golconda, and in his territory are situated the famous diamond-fields popularly known as the Golconda mines. Of these mines, the Kollur, on the river Kistna, was the most productive, and was especially noted for the unusually large crystals yielded by it. Here was undoubtedly found the Great Mogul, and here also, in all probability, was discovered that stone now known as the Nizam, from the official title of its princely owner.
Little importance can be attached to the statement that this remarkable crystal is valued at pound 200,000; for it is still in the rough state. The necessary process of reduction is well-known to be always attended with more or less risk, so that the most skilled expert would scarcely hazard his reputation by venturing an opinion on the intrinsic character of a rough diamond before it has been manipulated by the cutter and polisher. In the hands of the cutter many unsuspected blemishes are often revealed, which require the diamond to be greatly reduced in size, or even cleaved into several pieces. But the Nizam has a good reputation, and it is probable that it might be advantageously cut without sacrificing more than one half of its present weight. Viz., 340 carats. In that case it would still rank with the very largest gems on record.
King describes it as, “somewhat almond-shaped, almost in its native condition, although it seems to exhibit some traces of an attempt to shape it into the mystic Yoni, probably with the intention of it being placed, as her usual attribute, in the land of Parvati, the goddess of generation. In the cast from it, which I have examined, the ineffectual attempts of the Hindu lapidary to work the obdurate material to his fancy are extremely curious.” Then he adds, “This stone was by some very ominous accident broken asunder in the year of the great Indian revolt. Weight 340 carats.” But he does not say whether this weight refers to its size before or after its breakage.
Dieulafait gives its estimated value at pound 200,000, and it has been stated that its original weight, before being fractured, was no less than 440 carats. If so it was the largest genuine diamond ever discovered except the Great Mogul, and it is remarkable that both of these enormous specimens came apparently from the same rich diamantiferous district of Kollur in the Kistna Valley. It is quite possible that the breaking of the stone, accidental or otherwise, regarded as an omen of trouble, may have had its influence on historical events; for not only uncivilized and Oriental potentates, but Christian kings and learned men have given to precious stones wonderful powers. In mediaeval days carbuncles were credited with an influence on poisons; jasper was believed to cure fevers; agate ministered to defective eye-sight; and carnelian stopped hemorrhage.
Juvenal records of a ring, belonging to Cicero that it endowed him with eloquence; and Edward the Confessor had a ring which was believed to cure epilepsy. It seems, however, to be the especial privilege of the diamond in affairs of love to have an influence only second to that of the fabled Cupid himself. What part the Nizam may have played in the intrigues and passions of Courts and peoples the present historian knoweth not; and as it is his purpose to adhere as far as possible to mere facts, without, however, setting aside tradition, he must leave to the imagination of the reader the possibilities of adventure which are suggested by the blanks that are left, wide and deep, in the history of the Nizam.
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