The Midland Journal

Mogul Diamond Is Among
Gems in Moscow Exhibit

In an unpretentious room in the
Moscow treasury, there is a simple
glass case that contains the Great
Mogul diamond, one of the largest
in the world.

This priceless stone, formerly
called the Orlov in honor of the
count who ran many risks to procure it for Catherine II's collection,
has a long and colorful history.
Originally weighing 300 carats, it
adorned the throne of the Persian
Nadir Shah until 1772, at which time
it passed into the hands of the extravagant Russian empress.

Nadir Shah, to gratify a whim,
decided to have it cut differently.
The recutting was performed, but
the Great Mogul lost 100 priceless
carats. However, still flawless and
of brilliant luster, it ranks among
the leading diamonds of the world.

The treasury building's collection
consists of several thousand precious stones. Afghanistan tribes
bought secretly in China to grace
the crown of the Empress Catherine. chrysolites gathered from the
Red sea by Crusaders, rare emeralds and rubies, diamonds famous
throughout Indian and Persian history, all having curious legends of
their own, are set simply in black
velvet casings in the treasury museum.