The Darya-i-Nur, which means “Ocean of Light” in Persian, is one of the largest and most celebrated diamonds in the world, weighing an estimated 186 carats. Its color, pale pink, is one of the rarest to be found in diamonds.
The Darya-i-Nur presently forms part of the Iranian Crown Jewels and is on display at the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran.
This diamond, like the Koh-i-Noor, was mined at the Golconda mines in Andhra Pradesh. It found its way into the possession of the Mughal Emperors.
In 1739, Nader Shah of Persia invaded Northern India, occupied Delhi and then massacred many of its inhabitants. As payment for returning the crown of India to the Mughal emperor, Muhammad, he took possession of the entire fabled treasury of the Mughals, including the Darya-i-Nur, in addition to the Koh-i-Noor and the Peacock Throne. All of these treasures were carried to Iran by Nader Shah and the Darya-i-Nur has remained there ever since.
Reza Shah, founder of the Pahlavi Dynasty, wore the diamond as a decoration on his military hat during his coronation in 1926, and it was used again by his son Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s (the last of the Shah of Iran) coronation ceremony in 1967.
Photo credit: en.israelidiamond.co.il, mintpressnews.com
