Louvre heist: Priceless royal jewels stolen, but historic Regent Diamond spared - Know its Indian connection

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In a daring heist that made massive headlines earlier this week, thieves broke into Paris’ Louvre Museum and escaped within minutes with several priceless Napoleonic jewels. But in a twist that has baffled investigators, they left behind a diamond worth $60 million --- The Regent Diamond, which is one of Europe’s largest and most storied gems, originally mined in India centuries ago.

The Regent Diamond, a cushion-cut stone weighing 140.6 carats, carries a faint blue-green hue and is regarded as one of the finest diamonds ever discovered. For comparison, the Koh-i-Noor, now part of the British crown jewels, weighs 105.6 carats.

The Regent was once part of the French royal collection and was formally transferred to the Louvre in 1887, where it remains among the museum’s most prized possessions.

Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said it remains unclear why the thieves ignored the Regent diamond while taking nine other precious artefacts from the Galerie d’Apollon.

Several theories have since circulated, one being that the diamond is cursed. The man who first found it met a violent death, while many of its royal owners faced tragic fates. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed during the French Revolution, and Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile on the island of Saint Helena.

The Regent and its India connection

The diamond’s journey began in 1698 in the Golconda mines of India, where it was found weighing a staggering 426 carats in its rough form. According to legend, the man who discovered it hid the gem by cutting open his leg, intending to smuggle it out. However, his attempt ended in betrayal and he was allegedly murdered by a sea captain with whom he had planned to share the profits.

The gem later came to the attention of Thomas Pitt, then Governor of Madras, who had it cut in England between 1704 and 1706. It was subsequently sold to Philippe d’Orléans, the Regent of France, in 1717, after which it was named The Regent Diamond.

Renowned for its exceptional clarity and craftsmanship, the diamond quickly became the most celebrated gem in Europe. By 1719, its value had tripled and smaller stones cut from it were reportedly sold to Tsar Peter the Great of Russia.

Through the centuries, the Regent adorned the crowns, swords, and attire of French royalty and emperors. Louis XV wore it at his coronation and later affixed it to his hat, which became a fashion that was later followed by Louis XVI.

The diamond was stolen in 1792, recovered a year later hidden in a frame, and then passed through turbulent hands during the French Revolution and Napoleonic era. It eventually resurfaced with Napoleon Bonaparte, who had it mounted on his sword in 1801.

The gem later appeared on the crowns of Louis XVIII, Charles X and Napoleon III, before being set into the Greek diadem of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.

Not only The Regent Diamond, the thieves also left behind another Indian diamond, which is the 21.32-carat pink Hortensia diamond. Acquired by Louis XIV, it too had been stolen during the Revolution but was recovered and later worn by Napoleon I before passing into the hands of Dutch queen Hortense de Beauharnais.