AKBAR SHAH, SHEPHERD’S STONE
This gem belonged to Akbar, the Great Mogul, and was formerly engraved with Arabic writing. After having been lost for some years it was identified as the Turkish Shepherd’s Stone. It originally weighed 116 carats, and was reduced by cutting in the elimination of the engraving to 71 carats. It was purchased by the Gaekwar of Baroda for £23,330 sterling.
RIVER OF LIGHT
This beautiful rose diamond of 186 carats was seized by Nadir Shah at Delhi. It adorns the Persian regalia and is known as the Darya-i-Nor, or River of Light.
GRAND MOGUL
This remarkable diamond was seen by Tavernier amongst the jewels of the Emperor Auranzeb in 1665, five years after its recorded discovery in the Golconda mines. Its original weight is given as 787 carats by some records and as 787½ by others. This was greatly reduced in cutting to a rose shape by Hortensio Borgio when, it is said on account of numerous flaws, it lost 547 carats. Tavernier describes it as “rounded rose cut, taller on one side.” The present whereabouts of the “Grand Mogul” is unknown.
THE GRAND TABLE
This gem is also recorded by Tavernier who saw it at Golconda in 1642. Its weight is given at somewhat over 242 carats. Where it now is, is not known.
THE NASSAK
This gem which came from the Deccan loot was sold in London in 1837. Mr. Emanuel, into whose possession it came, sold it later to the Duke of Westminster for £7,200 sterling. Its original pear-shaped form was altered to triangular, an operation which left the weight at 78⅝ carats.