The Star of the South, a Fancy Light pinkish brown 128.48 ct type IIa diamond with reported VS2 clarity is one of the most famous Brazilian diamonds.
It was cut by L. B. Voorzanger at Royal Coster Diamonds, Amsterdam from a large 261.38 ct rough (42 x 35 x 27 mm) found by a slave woman in 1853 at the Bagagem river in Minas Gerais, near the town of Estrela do Sul (hence the name of the diamond Star of the South, in English).
It was then bough by Prince Mulhar Raco for the royal family of the Gaekwars of Baroda, India, and here we see young Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda and Sita Devi, maharani of Baroda, wearing the diamond on a necklace.
After being discretely sold privately, in 2002 the Star of the South Diamond was acquired by Cartier and set on a bracelet and presented at the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris in 2006.
It was recently seen publicly as property of Sheika Moza of Qatar and
it is currently on display at the Cartier exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Guest articles by Rui Galopim de Carvalho:
https://gem-spectrum.com/category/rui-galopim-de-carvalho
About the author:
Rui Galopim de Carvalho is a renowned independent Gem Education Consultant, author, luxury industry training expert and popular international lecturer on gemmology and on the history of gem materials. During his 30 year experience as a gemmologist, Rui has studied important collections in both public and private museums, notably the Portuguese Crown Jewels.
Founder of the popular Home Gemmology webinar series launched during the COVID-19 lockdown, Rui has a long history as a gemmology communicator, notably on social media where he is a popular figure.
He is associate editor of Gem-A’s Journal of Gemmology, Vice-President of the Coral Commission of The World Jewellery Confederation – CIBJO, member of the Communications Committee of ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association), ambassador for LAUREL -Portuguese Association of Excellence Brands (ECCIA member) and consultant for several private collections and trade organizations.
Rui Galopim de Carvalho can be reached through his website:
