Diamonds are found in many african countries. Many of them extracted via artisanal mining. Buying and selling uncut diamonds can be an exciting business. There are some statuatory obstacles like the Kimberley process certification sheme. Some argue that these obstacles are just designed to keep prices high. In fact many Africans make a living with artisanal mining and depend on the sales of diamonds. Admistrative hurdlese make it more difficult for them to sell the fruits of their labor.
The Orlov diamond
also called Orlov or Orloff
The "Orlov" is one of the most magnificent pieces in the collection of gems and jewels of the Moscow Kremlin, and is part of the "USSR Diamond Fund's treasury." The diamond was under the reign of Catherine the Great, who reigned from 1762-1796, used in the royal scepter. His weight is at 189.62 cents. and given the dimensions of 32 * 35 * 31 mm. Its purity is typical of the fine Indian diamonds and its color possesses a slight bluish-green tint. On one side of the diamond is a slight indentation. The cut of the diamond shape is described as that of a pigeon's egg half. The Orlov is a rarity among historic diamonds, since he retained his original Indian rose-cut.
Previously the Orlov once graced a Hindu temple image. It was stolen by a French deserter, who sold in Madras a British captain. This sold the stone to a Jew, he reached over to a Persian. 1773 met the Persians the Russian prince Orlov. Orlov was a fallen from grace lover of Catherine II and bought the diamond for 400,000 rubles, a fabulous sum for that time. Although Catherine II took the gift, it did not come to a reunion of the two. Prince Orlov died in an insane asylum. However, the diamond bears his name.
The unusual shape of the cut Orlov, the presence of a special enclosure and the pattern of its facets suggest that the Orlov was identical with a legendary stone that disappeared a long time ago: the "Great Mogul" (Great Mogul). This was by the traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, where it was allowed as one of the first Europeans to study the jewels of the Indian rulers, described in his book as follows: The diamond of 279 cts. (As matte 787.5 ct.) Was allegedly found in 1650 in the Kollur mine in Kistnah in India. The Mughal Tavernier was shown of Aurangzeb (1658-1707), the third son of Shah Jahan. The grinding of diamonds was the Italians Hortensio Borgio entrusted ct of the Mughal emperor to 279 9/16. cut down. The result of his work Aurangzeb disappointed so much that he Hortensio Borgio rather than a reward for his services with a fine of 10,000 rupees occupied - more than the man possessed.
But a mystery remains: What fate could have befallen this great gem, seem to have disappeared from all the tracks? Some assumed it was cut into smaller pieces. Others believe that it still exists today in the form of another diamond, as Orlov said.
If you compare the drawings of the Great Mogul of Tavernier with the photos of Orlov in the Kremlin, similarities are immediately apparent. The first is in the form of cut. As already mentioned, the shape of half a pigeon Orlov described and Tavernier described the Mughal than an egg that has been cut through in the middle. Throughout history, it can not have been many diamonds with such a shape. Secondly, the facets of the two stones each other not dissimilar. Third, the previously mentioned slight incision at Orlov accordance with the determination of Tavernier, the Mughal emperor had a slight tear and stain. If we now consider that the history of the Mughal emperor seems to have no end and no beginning of Orlov, is close to the probability that they are identical stones.
Ultimately, the academician Alexander E. Fersman, a Russian authority on gems, no doubt has left because of Orlov diamond is the same as the Great Mogul.
