The first Nizam of Hyderabad was Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan, who was also known as Asaf Jah I. His reign over the state of Hyderabad started in 1724 and marked, the beginning of the Nizam Dynasty.
The Nizams had control over some of the most resourceful diamond mines (at that time) in the world – the Golconda diamond mines. Historic diamonds like the Hope Diamond, The Great Mogul Diamond, The Seraphim Diamond and the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, originated from the famous Golconda mines.
Asaf Jah 1 the first Nizam of Hyderabad had a collection of valuable turban ornaments. While rubies, emeralds and sapphires adorned most of his turban ornaments – two fancy color Golconda diamonds, were also believed to have been part of the Nizam’s turban ornaments.
Interest in the Seraphim Blue Diamond has been growing in recent years. It is quite obvious that, seasoned diamond collectors have an indication of the approximate location of the elusive blue diamond. Indications are that the Seraphim Blue Diamond, was one of the two fancy color diamonds in the first Nizam’s turban ornaments. A pink diamond was believed to have graced, another turban ornament worn by Asaf Jah 1. Not much talk about the pink diamond, a rare occurrence for the Golconda mines.
The Nizam dynasty spanned 7 Nizams and lasted until 1948. Much effort has been made to trace the Seraphim Blue Diamond or the turban ornament, that was encrusted with the Golconda blue diamond. It was probably a decade ago when diamond collectors whispered, that the blue diamond was part of a private collection in Russia.
So was the Seraphim Blue Diamond stolen from the Nizam’s treasures? Believable narrations claim that, the second Nizam (Asaf Jah 2) handed the Seraphim Blue Diamond to the French. This apparently to get military support from the French. Very possible as diamonds had high value even in those days.
It does seem that the Seraphim Blue Diamond, which was once set in a turban ornament worn by the first Nizam of Hyderabad, was at one point separated from its gold setting. Indications are that the Nizam willingly handed over the blue diamond to the French. The list of Nizam diamonds and other valuables, that were taken to the Indian treasury in 1948, did obviously not mention the Seraphim Blue Diamond.
