Golconda Diamonds

An antique map illustrating the route of Tavernier’s Diamond Trade through 17th-century India.

Tavernier’s Diamond Trade in 17th-Century India

Gemology, Jewelry History /

Introduction to Tavernier’s Diamond Trade Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a daring French merchant who fundamentally reshaped the modern diamond industry. Between 1630 and 1668, he completed six arduous trips to the Kingdom of Golconda in India. At that time, this region served as the world’s exclusive source of large, high-quality diamonds. Along his journey, he carefully studied […]

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The golden gopuram of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple Treasures: The World’s Richest Vaults

Gemstone History, Gold & Jewelry, Kerala Heritage /

Introduction The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, stands as a beacon of devotion and staggering wealth. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it has amassed Padmanabhaswamy Temple Treasures over millennia through royal offerings and pilgrim gifts. In 2011, the world watched in awe as a Supreme Court order unveiled riches from five underground vaults, valued conservatively at over $22 billion. This

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