Frequently Asked Questions

It is a jewel attributed, in the supplied curatorial documentation, to the seventeenth-century Mughal Empire. It is composed of five flat, table-cut Golconda diamonds totalling approximately 97 carats, set in gold with white enamel decoration, and completed with carved emerald drops on a braided silk and gold cord. Read more in the Introduction article.

The supplied curatorial documentation dates the necklace to the 17th century, attributing it to the Mughal Empire "circa Shah Jahan period." See Historical Context & Provenance for the full documented timeline.

Its five principal diamonds are flat, table-cut stones — described in the documentation as "mirror" or "portrait-cut" diamonds — which reflect light across one broad, continuous surface rather than scattering it into many small points of sparkle, giving each stone a mirror-like appearance. See Understanding Parab and Portrait-Cut Diamonds.

Five. The supplied curatorial summary describes "five matched table-cut ('mirror' / 'portrait-cut') Golconda diamonds," graduated in size with the largest at the centre.

Flat table-cut diamonds, also documented as "parab" or "portrait-cut" stones — a cutting tradition associated with Mughal-era lapidary practice that favours a broad, reflective plane over the many small facets of a modern brilliant cut. See The Five Golconda Table-Cut Diamonds.

These are related terms, used in the supplied documentation, for a flat diamond-cutting style historically associated with South Asia, in which a stone is cut with a large flat top surface rather than many small facets. The result is a mirror-like reflectivity rather than the scattered sparkle of a modern brilliant cut. Full explanation in Understanding Parab and Portrait-Cut Diamonds.

Golconda refers to a historic diamond-producing region in present-day Telangana, India, which supplied many of the Mughal Empire's most celebrated diamonds. The supplied documentation attributes the necklace's five principal stones to this origin.

Approximately 97 carats across the five principal stones combined, per the supplied documentation (the curatorial summary states "approximately 96 carats" in one instance; this site uses 97 carats as its primary reference figure, noting the minor variance).

Gold frames and fittings, white enamel decoration, carved emerald drops (documented as Colombian in origin), and a braided silk cord with gold thread and gold-wire tassels.

White enamel decoration on gold settings is documented as characteristic of fine Mughal jewelled work of the period. On this necklace, it provides a crisp border framing each diamond, unifying the five settings visually. See Gold Frames and White Enamel Decoration.

They supply the necklace's principal note of colour and sculptural weight, culminating in a shell-carved central pendant. Their intact, matched survival across all five positions is cited in the documentation as contributing to the necklace's rarity. See The Carved Emerald Drops.

The documentation points to several combined factors: five large, closely matched Golconda table-cut diamonds surviving together; the intact combination of gold, enamel, and carved emerald craftsmanship; a documented, continuous provenance with GIA gemological reference; and, in 2026, public recognition through Christian Dior Couture's citation of the necklace as a design reference for its haute couture collection. See History & Provenance.

No. The documented figures — an intrinsic value estimate of approximately USD 20–21 million and an estimated total market value range of approximately USD 70–100 million — come from supplied expert valuation documentation. They are estimates and professional opinions, not a guarantee, an offer, or a confirmed sale price. See Value, Rarity, and Market Context.

They represent a professional opinion of intrinsic value and estimated total market value, grounded in the documented scale, grading, craftsmanship, and provenance of the necklace, as set out in the supplied valuation report and advisory memorandum. They are not derived independently by this site.

Start with the Documentation / Knowledge Base, which organises all sourced articles by category, and see How to Read the Documentation for an explanation of the underlying source documents.

Yes. Researchers, museums, press, and private collectors may submit a discreet request through the Private Inquiry page. Requests are reviewed individually, and the form asks that no sensitive financial or personal information be submitted.