Interest in the Seraphim Blue Diamond has grown in recent times, this triggered by a number of rumors spread around in multiple reports. Rumors and legends surrounding the lost treasures of the Nizams of Hyderabad have persisted for decades, adding an air of mystery to India’s history. The Nizams were among the richest royals in the world.
GROWING RUMORS
The convincing nature of rumors being heard about the elusive Seraphim Blue Diamond, arises from the fact that multiple reports seem to deliver a similar narrative. This blue diamond which is believed to have been worn by Asaf Jah 1 the first Nizam of Hyderabad, has not been seen for centuries. After avoiding public attention for centuries, there is talk about the diamond now being part of a Russian collection.
CERTIFICATIONS ESSENTIAL
Knowledgeable diamond experts would classify the story as being believable but, they continue to insist on receiving related certifications and actual inspection of the Seraphim Blue Diamond. Auction houses exercise high levels of diligence, before accepting a diamond for auction. This is the reason why high bill diamond auction bidders, limit their interest to big auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s. At this point, all the information related to the historic blue diamond, is hypothetical. The positive thing is that, rumors continue to emerge, with pieces of information that, seem to fit into previous estimates and suppositions!
INFO SO FAR
Keeping in perspective the fact that, the Seraphim Blue Diamond has never been put up for any high profile auction, and was never seen in the last few centuries – the information compiled here, is based on various rumors being published in recent times. One advantage of documenting the hypothetical information here is that, an objective evaluation can be made if and when, certifications emerge along with the actual diamond.
It is often claimed that the Seraphim Blue Diamond, was mined in the Golconda region. These famed mines have not been commercially active for over a century but, diamonds with an origin in these diamond mines, are highly sought after and attract impressive auction bids. Blue diamonds are rated according to the desirability of the blue shade that they display. Reports use terms like vivid blue, highly sought after blue and even fine blue, when describing the color of the Seraphim Blue Diamond. While actual diamond certifications would best explain color and clarity, we are given to believe that the diamond had a high clarity.
The most important claim that is being rumored about the historic Golconda diamond is that, it was originally set in an opulent turban ornament worn by Asaf Jah 1, the first Nizam of Hyderabad. This takes us back to around 1724 when, Asaf Jah 1 pronounced himself as the first Nizam. It is possible for reputed diamond certification houses like GIA or Gubelin, to certify and confirm such ‘stories’. Certifications related to this feature of the Seraphim Blue Diamond, are likely to have a significant and positive impact on the value of the diamond.
VALUE FACTORS
Attempting to rank the factors that would influence the value of the Seraphim Blue Diamond, with knowledge that the above information remains hypothetical until, valid certifications are made accessible. There is no fixed formula to rank the factors but, their relative importance can be logically rated – we start from the most influential factor and move to the, physical characteristics that then get worked into the calculation.
The claim that the Seraphim Blue Diamond, was worn by the first Nizam of Hyderabad would gain maximum attention. The treasury of the Nizam, included a number of diamonds but, it is quite possible that not all those diamonds originated from the Golconda diamond mines. A certified confirmation of the origin of the historic blue diamond linking it to the Golconda mines, is likely to positively impact the value of the diamond.
The carat size of the Seraphim Blue Diamond would then, work its way into the, value assessment. Indications are that the Seraphim Blue Diamond, weighed around 7 to 8 when set in the turban ornament. While this is not a very big size, the fact is that price assessment of historic diamonds with dream-like provenance, is done per carat. A high profile auction conducted by the likes of Sotheby’s or Christie’s, could attract bids as high as $1 million to $1.5 million per carat! This assumes that the information, highlighted in the above mentioned rumors – are confirmed by certifications from reputed diamond testing offices.
IMPORTANT NOTE
None of the information presented in this report is meant, to encourage the purchase of the Seraphim Blue Diamond or any other valuable asset. The report is compiled for general interest and significant expertise and experience is required, to get involved in the sale or purchase of such exotic assets. Nothing mentioned in this report can substitute, certifications from reputed diamond testing offices.