The Regent Diamond: Jewel of Empires and Revolutions

Few gemstones match the fascinating history of the Regent Diamond. This gem has passed through the hands of slaves, thieves, merchants, governors, and royalty. Its journey spans continents and centuries, marking European history and captivating Louvre visitors today.

In this article, you'll discover:

• The bloody origins of the Regent Diamond in India.
• How Thomas Pitt acquired this remarkable stone.
• The diamond's journey through French royalty and revolution.
• Napoleon's connection to the gem.
• How it survived political upheavals to become a national treasure.
• Its protection during World War II and present-day status.

The Bloody Beginning

The Regent Diamond first appeared in records in December 1701. Its story begins in the mines of Partreal, near Golconda in India. Legend says a slave found the diamond and hid it in a wound in his leg. This trick helped him avoid the strict mine inspections.

The slave's plan worked at first. He escaped to Madras to find a buyer. His luck soon turned. An English ship captain offered to buy the diamond. Instead, he murdered the slave and threw his body overboard. The captain then sold the stone to a merchant named Jamchund for about $5,000. He later took to drink and reportedly hanged himself.

The magnificent Regent began its journey stained with blood.

The Pitt Transaction

Thomas Pitt, Governor of Fort St. George near Madras, became the first known owner. In late 1701, Jamchund approached him to sell the large diamond. He asked for the huge sum of $400,000.

Pitt first offered just a fraction of this price. They negotiated for two months. They met many times as Jamchund lowered his price and Pitt raised his offer. With advice from an associate, Pitt finally bought it for $96,000.

This purchase became the foundation of the Pitt family fortune. Thomas Pitt sent the diamond to England for cutting and polishing.

Transformation and Sale of the Regent Diamond

The cutting process marked a key moment for the Regent Diamond. The rough stone weighed 410 carats. After two years of careful work, it became a pure, flawless brilliant of 136¾ carats.

The cutting cost $10,000. Pitt made a smart business move. He sold the diamond dust and fragments for $40,000. This recovered much of his cost while he kept the largest diamond in the world.

Selling the finished gem proved hard. Many wanted it, but few could pay Pitt's price. The diamond's fame spread across Europe. This made Pitt a target for thieves. A German traveler in 1710 noted that Pitt lived in fear. He never slept twice in the same house and often changed his name.

A Royal Acquisition

In 1717, Pitt sold the diamond to the King of France for $875,000. The Scottish financier Law helped with the sale. The Duke of Saint Simon urged the Duke of Orleans, then Regent of France, to buy it.

The purchase raised eyebrows. France faced dire money problems at the time. People starved while the treasury sat empty. Yet Saint Simon convinced the Regent that such a unique gem would bring glory to the nation.

Instead of criticism, the Duke of Orleans received praise for his bold purchase. The diamond was named "the Regent" in his honor.

Royal Splendor

For nearly sixty years, the Regent Diamond adorned the French court. It gained prominence on June 11, 1775, when Louis XVI was crowned king at Rheims. A new crown was made for the event, with the Regent as its centerpiece.

The crown stood nine inches tall. It featured fleurs-de-lys made of precious stones. The Regent sat in the central fleur-de-lys. The "Sanci" and "Gros Mazarin" diamonds flanked it. The weight was so great that Louis XVI complained, "It hurts me" - words that seemed prophetic given his fate.

Revolution and Theft of the Regent Diamond

During the French Revolution, the crown jewels were kept in the Garde Meuble. They were shown to the public at times. After the violent days of September 1792, the government secured the jewels more carefully. They locked them away and sealed the cupboards.

These steps failed. On September 17, Minister Roland told the National Assembly about a theft. Thieves had broken into the Garde Meuble overnight. They stole jewels of great value. Two thieves were caught, but not those who took the Regent.

In the charged political climate, blame flew in all directions. Some said aristocrats planned the theft to fund foreign troops. Others accused revolutionary leaders like Danton, who in turn blamed Roland.

Recovery and Napoleon

Days after the theft, officials got an anonymous letter. It told them where to search in the Champs Elysées. There they found the Regent and an agate vase. The rest of the stolen treasures remained lost.

The Regent's story gets unclear during the Reign of Terror. Some say Napoleon Bonaparte wore a fine diamond in his sword when he married Josephine in 1796. This may have been the Regent, though how he got it is unknown.

We know that by 1800, Napoleon pawned the Regent to a Berlin banker named Trescow. With this money, he launched his Alpine campaign. His victory at Marengo started his rise to power.

Imperial Splendor

Napoleon later redeemed the Regent for three million livres. He placed it in his state sword's hilt rather than his crown. This choice matched his military path to power.

The diamond adorned Napoleon's hat at his wedding to Marie Louise in 1810. The ceremony took place in the Louvre. An attendant noted that Napoleon found his cap "particularly troublesome." Like Louis XVI before him, Napoleon learned that crown jewels can be heavy burdens.

The Last French Monarchs

When Marie Louise fled Paris in 1814, she took all the crown jewels. At Orleans, a messenger from the new Bourbon king caught up with her. She had to return the treasures. The Regent then returned to Paris to adorn the new king's cap.

Throughout the 19th century, the Regent passed between rulers as France faced political changes. Charles X displayed it during his short reign. It later went to Louis Philippe and Napoleon III. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the diamond was kept in a secure fortress.

Teh Regent Diamond In the Modern Era

A key moment for the Regent came in 1887. Most French Crown Jewels were auctioned off then. The Regent was spared due to its history and national importance. Instead of going to a private buyer, it went on display at the Louvre Museum. There it became a celebrated piece of France's heritage.

In the early 20th century, the Regent stayed safely in the Louvre. It drew visitors from around the world who came to see its size, clarity, and storied past.

World War II: Protecting a National Treasure

When World War II began and Nazi Germany invaded France, officials saw the danger. They feared the German Nazis might loot the Regent. The French government took steps to protect this priceless gem.

They secretly moved the Regent from the Louvre to Chambord castle in the countryside. This hidden location kept the diamond safe during the German occupation. After the war, the Regent returned to the Louvre.

This wartime protection shows how much the French valued the Regent Diamond. They saw it not just as a gem but as a symbol of their heritage and identity.

The Regent Diamond Today

Today, the Regent Diamond remains on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. It stands as a highlight in the collection of French Crown Jewels. Many visitors come to admire its clarity, size, and rich history.

The diamond has grown beyond its royal origins. It is now a public treasure that symbolizes both France's royal past and its revolutionary history. Unlike many historic gems in private hands, the Regent stays open to the public. This allows visitors to connect with centuries of French history.

In the 21st century, the Regent Diamond represents cultural preservation. It remains free from commercial trades or private ownership. This confirms its status as a public treasure of great historical value.

Summary

The Regent Diamond's journey spans more than three centuries. It traveled from Indian mines to the Louvre Museum. Its remarkable story includes:

• A dramatic discovery in India around 1700.
• Change from a 410-carat rough stone to a 140.64-carat masterpiece.
• Use by French kings from Louis XV to Napoleon III.
• Survival through revolution, theft, war, and political changes.
• Protection during World War II when hidden from German Nazi looters.
• Growth from a royal item to a national treasure.

Today, the Regent Diamond continues to fascinate Louvre visitors. Its brilliant facets reflect not just light but France's complex history. This priceless gem connects the modern world to the past in a unique way.

Reference Material

Inspired by stories from the book by Adela Elizabeth Goddard Orpen, "Stories About Famous Precious Stones,"originally published in 1890, by D. Lothrop Company.