The Orlov Diamond Mystery: Theft, Power & Lost History

About this episode

Was the legendary Orlov Diamond once the eye of a Hindu idol before becoming part of the Russian Crown Jewels? In this episode of Gem Pursuit, Matthew Weldon and Fenis Sigkoudi unravel the extraordinary story of the 189-carat diamond tied to Mughal emperors, Catherine the Great, theft, romance, and one of history’s greatest gem mysteries. CHAPTERS 00:00 The Mystery of the Orlov Diamond 00:41 Was the Orlov Once the Great Mogul Diamond? 01:45 Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal & Mughal Treasures 03:23 The Failed Diamond Cutting Attempt 04:12 Why Huge Diamonds Lose So Much Weight 06:30 The Mogul Cut & Tavernier’s Description 08:53 Evidence Linking the Great Mogul to the Orlov 10:38 The Legend of the Temple Theft 12:56 How the Diamond Reached Europe 14:41 Was the Diamond Worth Its Huge Price? 16:37 Catherine the Great & the Russian Empire 18:21 The Romantic Story of Count Orlov 21:33 The More Realistic Purchase Theory 23:30 The Diamond Becomes Part of Russian Regalia 26:14 The Black Orlov & the Curse Legend 28:31 Why Black Diamonds Are Difficult to Cut 29:40 Why Famous Diamonds Attract Myths & Drama 31:35 The Black Orlov’s Auction History 32:47 Why the Orlov Diamond Still Fascinates Today