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Crown Jewels of Iran

The Crown Jewels of Iran, already mentioned, are another collection of enormous value surviving relatively intact to our times. Remarkably, they were practically unknown to the world until this decade. In 1961 they were opened to public  diamond engagement ring exhibition for the first time at the Bank Markazi in Teheran. The largest part of the treasure trove was gathered as spoils of war from the conquest of Delhi, India, by Nadir Quli Khan in 1739. In a history of this event, written in 1747, the Abbe de Claustre reported that along with great quantities of gold ingots there were thirteen thousand chests full of gold and silver coins and “there was also an inconceivable number of other chests filled with diamonds, pearls and other jewels.” The collection now has undergone numerous additions and subtractions, but is substantially the same 240-year-old loot. Neither the Nadir Shah nor his successors considered the treasure as anything but a financial asset. They were little concerned with the marvelous bridal jewelry that could be, and occasionally was, made from the available gems and precious metals. The bulk of the collection consists of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, red spinels, pearls, and turquoises; there are also a few examples of other species of gems.

Already certain coronation pieces in the collection have achieved fame. Among them are the Pahlevi Crown, the Kiani Crown, and Empress Farah’s Crown, mentioned earlier. The Nadir Throne in all its bejewelled glory claims as much attention as any of the crowns. Undoubtedly one of the most ornate and valuable thrones in the world, it is basically a single chair made of wood and standing 88 inches tall. Each piece in the assembly is covered with gold sheet, and is removable. In addition, thousands of gems stud the throne in intricate, symmetrical, typically Persian patterns. The throne was probably made for Fath-Ali Shah, the last of the Qajar dynasty, who began his reign in 1798. In the very center of the high, ornate chair back is mounted the most important stone of all, an emerald weighing perhaps 225 carat diamond ring. Arrayed about it are four other large emeralds, which may total as much as 550 carats. Spinels, rubies, emeralds, diamonds are there in abundance. Many blue sapphires dominate the panel at the foot of the throne, which pictures a reclining lion. The throne was used again for the coronation of Muhammad Reza Pahlevi Aryamihr as Shahanshah of Iran in 1967.