Buzz
The legendary Heart of the Ocean from the iconic film Titanic inspired a worldwide treasure hunt. Though this gem is fictional, numerous real-life jewels have vanished over the centuries, sparking endless fascination. Below, we explore ten extraordinary gems and jewels that remain missing to this day.
10. The Enigmatic Blue Diamond
Discovered in India, the Blue Diamond was a remarkable 69-carat gem, often hailed as the first blue diamond ever recorded. Acquired by King Louis XIV of France in 1668, the monarch had it reshaped to 69 carats and set it in the prestigious Order of the Golden Fleece, a Catholic chivalric order.
Despite extensive knowledge about its origins and early ownership, the diamond's fate in its later years remains shrouded in mystery.
In 1791, during the French Revolution, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were apprehended while trying to escape the country. They were imprisoned, and revolutionaries ransacked the royal palace. Among the stolen treasures were the French crown jewels, including the renowned Blue Diamond, which was never seen again.
Unlike many lost gems, the French Blue is believed to have been reshaped rather than vanished. Researchers have analyzed the Hope Diamond, now at the Smithsonian Institute, and concluded it is likely the French Blue, albeit reduced to two-thirds of its original size.
9. The Legendary Great Mogul Diamond
The Great Mogul Diamond earned its name as the largest diamond ever discovered in India. Mined in 1650, it weighed an astonishing 787 carats.
Owned by Emperor Aurangzeb, the diamond was sent to Venice for cutting by Hortentio Borgis. However, the jeweler reduced its size by nearly 500 carats, leading the Emperor to impose a heavy fine on him.
After that, the diamond seemingly vanished from history, with many theorizing it was lost during the 1739 plunder of Delhi. Officially, the Great Mogul Diamond remains missing, though some speculate the Orlov Diamond might be its reincarnation. Both gems were described as “half-egg-shaped,” but without concrete evidence, the mystery endures.
8. The Lost Irish Crown Jewels
The Irish Crown Jewels belonged to the Order of St. Patrick, a prestigious Irish aristocratic group. These jewels played a key role in swearing-in ceremonies and were worn by the Viceroy of Ireland or the Grand Master of the Order. The order continued until 1974, when its last knight passed away.
The Irish Crown Jewels disappeared long before the order’s dissolution. On July 6, 1901, they were reported missing, just days before King Edward VII’s planned visit to Dublin, where he was to use them to induct a new knight into the Order of St. Patrick.
Despite an extensive police search across the city, the jewels were never recovered. Over the years, multiple claims of their discovery surfaced, but none proved to be true.
7. The Mysterious Marlborough Diamond
The Marlborough Diamond, a stunning 45-carat gem, was once the prized possession of a high-end jewelry store in London. Displayed prominently in the store’s front window, the diamond attracted attention—though this decision ultimately proved unwise.
The Chicago mob, having spotted the diamond, plotted to steal it. On September 11, 1980, Art Rachel and Jerry Scalise disguised themselves as Arab sheikhs and brazenly robbed the store in the middle of the day.
Although they escaped the store and even fled the country, their luck ran out at O’Hare Airport in Chicago upon their return. The duo was arrested and sentenced to over forty years in prison.
While the mobsters were caught and punished, the Marlborough Diamond was never found. Authorities suspect the now-free criminals know its location, but they have remained silent about its whereabouts.
6. The Legendary Atocha Star
The Atocha Star is a renowned Colombian emerald, mined in the 17th century. Weighing approximately 25 carats, it was transported from Colombia to Spain aboard the ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha in 1622.
Sadly, the ship never reached its destination. A hurricane struck, sinking it off the Florida coast and taking with it the emerald, along with chests filled with gold and silver.
However, the story didn’t end there. In 1985, treasure hunter Mel Fisher and his team discovered the wreck, recovering six pounds of cargo, including the Atocha Star, after nearly 400 years underwater.
Despite its rediscovery, the emerald didn’t end up in a museum. Instead, Mel Fisher had it cut down to 12 carats and set into a golden eagle statue.
In 2016, the Golden Eagle, featuring the Atocha Star, was stolen during the Art Vancouver Exhibit. Despite ongoing police efforts to locate the statue and the emerald, their current location remains a mystery.
5. The Enigmatic Akbar Shah
The Akbar Shah is a pear-shaped diamond, originally weighing 119 carats, which adorned the Peacock Throne of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
However, its time on the throne was short-lived. The throne was looted and transported to Iran, where the diamond remained hidden for almost a century.
In 1866, the Akbar Shah resurfaced in the possession of merchant George Blogg, who renamed it “The Shepherd Stone.” After reshaping it in London, Blogg sold the diamond to Malhar Rao in India.
Today, descendants of the Rao family have indicated through tax filings that the Akbar Shah might still be in their possession. However, this remains unconfirmed, and speculation persists that the diamond may have been sold or exchanged. Its current location is still a mystery.
4. The Mysterious Florentine Diamond
The Florentine Diamond, a yellowish gem weighing approximately 137 carats, is believed to have once belonged to Charles, the Duke of Burgundy, though its exact origins remain unclear.
After the Duke’s death in battle in 1476, a soldier reportedly took the diamond and sold it. It later resurfaced in Tuscany with the de’ Medici family, who eventually sold it in 1657.
Over the years, the diamond passed through numerous hands, eventually ending up with Charles I of Austria. During his exile in World War I, the gem was stolen. Many believe it was smuggled to the United States, recut, and sold anonymously to conceal its identity, though no concrete evidence supports this theory.
3. The Eagle Diamond: A Unique American Gem
Unlike most precious stones originating from Europe, South America, or Asia, the Eagle Diamond was unearthed in Eagle, Wisconsin. Discovered in 1876 during the construction of a well, the diamond weighed between 15 and 16 carats.
A local woman, Clarissa Woods, found the stone and brought it to a jeweler. Suspecting its value, the jeweler sent it to Chicago for evaluation, where it was confirmed as the largest diamond ever found in the U.S. at that time.
The diamond was purchased by Tiffany’s in New York and later displayed at the American Museum of Natural History. However, in 1964, it was stolen by the infamous thief “Murph the Surf.” While many stolen jewels were recovered, the Eagle Diamond was never found and remains missing.
2. The Lost Romanov Crown Jewels
The Bolshevik Revolution is often associated with the mysterious fates of Princess Anastasia and Prince Alexei. However, the Romanov crown jewels also vanished during this tumultuous period, adding to the intrigue of the royal family’s downfall.
Initially, it was believed that all the Romanov crown jewels had been accounted for. However, a book published in 1922 hinted at previously unknown pieces from the collection. While one of these pieces was eventually found, three remain missing to this day.
The fate of the missing jewels is still debated. Some historians suggest Soviet agents may have stolen them, while others theorize they were hidden during the royal family’s exile in Siberia. The truth remains elusive.
1. The Enigmatic Hawaiian Crown Jewels
Before becoming a U.S. state, Hawaii was an independent kingdom with its own royal family, complete with a collection of crown jewels. These jewels, now shrouded in mystery, are a fascinating part of Hawaiian history.
On April 3, 1893, the deposition of Queen Liliuokalani sent shockwaves through Hawaii. The situation worsened when the new government found King Kalakaua’s crown vandalized and stripped of its jewels. Investigations revealed over 600 precious gems had been stolen from the Hawaiian treasury.
While some jewels were found in the possession of royal guards, the majority were sold on the black market, vanishing without a trace.
