The Orlov Diamond

Few treasures are as compelling, photogenic and mysterious as the diamond. Perhaps this explains why diamonds are often as notable as their owners. Throughout history, diamonds have reached fame either through great stories of beauty or power.

The Orlov Diamond, the rose-cut gem from India, one of the Romanov crown jewels.

According to legend, the mythical gem weighting a spectacular 189,6 carats, along with its pair, once adorned the eyes on a statue of a Hindu deity in southeast India. A deserter french soldier got so mesmerized by the stone, he earned the temple’s trust in order to work and eventually steal it. And so he did!
Sold to a merchant for a fraction of its worth, the diamond was purchased in 1774 by Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov, who in an unsuccessful attempt to regain favour gave it to Empress Catherine the Great. While she accepted the stoned, she declined the marriage proposal. Eventually banishing him form Court! Catherine had it mounted in the Romanov imperial sceptre, and it is now part of Russia’s Diamond Fund in Moscow.

Nowadays the Orlov is one of the most important items in one of the greatest collections of gems and jewelry.

The Orlov measures 47.6 mm in height, 31.75 mm in width, and 34.92 mm in length. The clarity is typical of the finest Indian diamonds and its color possesses a slight bluish-green tint. The shape of the diamond has been described as resembling half an egg. The total number of facets is roughly 180.