Pigot Diamond
| Weight | 47.38 carats (9.476 g) |
|---|---|
| Color | colorless |
| Cut | oval-shaped brilliant |
| Country of origin | India |
| Mine of origin | Golkonda |
| Discovered | pre-1763 |
| Original owner | Sir George Pigot (first documented) |
| Owner | unknown |
The Pigot Diamond, also sometimes called the Pigott Diamond, the Lottery Diamond, or the Great Lottery Diamond, was a large diamond that originated in India in the 18th century and was brought to England where at the time it was the largest diamond in Europe. It remained in Europe for half a century, changing hands several times until it was sold to the ruler of Egypt in the 1820s. What happened to it after that is unknown, inspiring a two-century mystery.
The Pigot Diamond was obtained by Sir George Pigot during his term as British governor of Madras, the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu for the East India Company. He may have received it from an Indian prince in 1763. This may have been the Rajah of Tanjore as Pigot had told the directors of the East India Company that he had received presents from the Rajah. It also may have been Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, the Nabob of Arcot. The diamond may have been mined at Golkonda. Diamonds were a common way to transfer money back to England at the time. Pigot brought it to London, probably in June 1764 when he returned to England aboard the East Indiaman Plassey after his first term as governor of Madress (1755-1763). The diamond was brought to England rough cut and subsequently cut as a fine, oval brilliant, and had an official recorded weight of 47.38 carats (9.476 g). The cutting is said to have taken two years and cost £3,000. The size of the rough stone is estimated to have been around 100 carats (20 g). At the time, it was the largest diamond in England. It has been characterised as having a large table (the largest central facet of the crown) and girdle, but it is relatively shallow in depth giving it poor brilliance.
...
Wikipedia