The Iran Crown Jewels - Iranian Yellows Diamonds - Famous Jewels Series

The "Iranian Yellows"

These African diamonds were acquired by Nasseridin Shah on his third trip to Europe in 1889, and are collectively known as the Iranian Yellows. There are a number of collections of large diamonds on display in the Iranian Treasury, however due to security concerns, the largest diamond in this collection, which is a 152.16-carat stone, is not pictured here. The next largest in the collection is the 135.45-carat stone in the center of the photo. This is rather amazing, considering the Regent Diamond, one of the world's most famous, weighs 140.50 carats. Three of the other diamonds shown here are between 114 and 120 carats each.

The center stone in the photo is listed in the GIA book Diamonds - Famous, Notable and Unique by GIA, as being #2 on a list of 23 diamonds known as the Iranians. The stones are numbered in order of largest to smallest. The list reads as follows:

1 — 152.16 carats; rectangular old brilliant; silver cape
2 — 135.45 carats; high (old) cushion brilliant; cape
3 — 123.93 carats; high (old) cushion brilliant; silver cape
4 — 121.90 carats; multi-faceted octahedron; cape
5 — 114.28 carats; high (old) cushion brilliant; silver cape
6 — 86.61 carats; rounded triangular brilliant; cape
7 — 86.28 carats; irregular Mogul cut; silver cape
8 — 78.96 carats; high (old) cushion brilliant; cape
10 — 75.00 carats (est.); pendeloque brilliant; silver cape
11 — 75.00 carats (est.); pendeloque brilliant; silver cape
12 — 72.84 carats; irregular pear shape; champagne
13 — 65.65 carats; rectangular (old) brilliant, cape
14 — 60.00 carats (est.); cushion brilliant; yellow
15 — 57.85 carats; round brilliant; silver cape
16 — 57.15 carats; cushion brilliant; silver cape
17 — 56.19 carats; cushion brilliant; silver cape
18 — 66.57 carats; cushion brilliant; silver cape
19 — 54.58 carats; irregular oval Mogul cut; colorless
20 — 54.35 carats; high (old) cushion brilliant; peach
21 — 53.50 carats; high (old) cushion brilliant; silver cape
22 — 51.90 carats; elliptical Mogul cut; colorless
23 — 38.18 carats; multi-faceted trapezoid cut; colorless.

None of the diamonds are a saturated yellow color, but rather a light yellow. If they were graded by GIA they would probably fall in the L-M-N range of the color scale. However, due to their immense size, their yellow color is more noticeable than if they were smaller stones.

The Iran Crown Jewels

1- Jewel-studded globe
2- The Pahlavi Crown
3- Darya-e Noor diamond
4- Nadiri Aigrette
5- Kiani Crown
6- Emerald and Diamond Tiara
7- The Royal Sword
8- The Noor-ol-Ain Tiara
9- Farah's tiara
10- The Kiani Aigrette
11- The Emerald Belt
12- An Aigrette
13- The Empress's Crown
14- Emerald & Diamond Necklace
15- Hat decoration
16- The Sword of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar
17- The Naderi Throne
18- The Peacock Throne
19- Royal Mace
20- Jewelled Sphere
21- Jewelled Dagger
22- Pearl Brooches
23- Loose Spinels
24- Bracelets
25- Loose Diamonds

26- Ruby Dagger
27- Jewelled Flacon
28- Dish Cover
29- The "Iranian Yellows"
30- Diamond & Platinum Necklace
31- Loose Indian Diamonds
32- Pearl Chest
33- Emerald Display Case
34- Candlestick holder
35- Flat Diamonds
36- Sapphire & Diamond Brooch
37- Nader Shah's Sword
38- Ruby & Turquoise Waterpipe
39- Turquoise Swords and Epaulets
40- Turquoise-studded Golden Basin
41- Pearl display case
42- Nader Shah's Shield
43- Saddle Horn
44- Ruby Rings
45- Emerald Beads and Necklace
46- Rings and loose stones of emerald
47- Emerald Brooch and Necklace
48- Coffee cup holders
49- Diamond & Ruby Aigrette
50- Water Decanter and Basin
51- Emerald Pillbox, Pocket Watch, Buckle and Seals
52- Enamel Armband
53- Jewelled Armband