Queen Victoria wearing the Koh-i-Noor diamond in a brooch, by German painter Franz Xaver Winterhalter.
Golcondas diamonds were known to Europeans since the time of Marco Polo.
The stone vanished soon after.
Some believe that the stone was cut by thieves into smaller sizes to disguise their identity.
The diamond was plundered by Nader Shah during his invasion of India in 1739 and disappeared after his assassination.
Hope Diamond in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington DC.
Another famous Golconda diamond that has lead to much ownership dispute is the Koh-i-Noor.
For more than a century, females of the Royal Family wore the stone in their crown.
On old map Hyderabad from Harmsworths Universal Encyclopaedia, circa 1920s.
Today, the diamond is on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
Few Golconda diamonds are in the hands of India.
This diamond may have been cut into two pieces.
The nizam demanded that Jacob return the advance that was paid to him.
He wrapped it in a piece of cloth and stuck it inside an old shoe.
