Sancy

The Sancy diamond originated in India is considered to be one of the biggest diamonds in existence. Sancy is one of the famous diamonds of Europe. It is shaped like a shield and weighs 55.23 carats. The Sancy has a unique pale yellow color. There are few distinct features of the Sancy that sets it apart from other diamonds. It is considered to be the first large diamonds which has symmetrical facets and has no pavilion, only a pair of crown is laid on top of each other.

The Sancy was reported to be taken from India by a Venetian diamond cutter secretly. In 1570 the Sancy was purchased by Nicholas Harlai, the “Seigneur de Sancy” in Constantinople. Nicholas Harlai was the French Ambassador to Turkey and had passion for collecting precious gems and jewels. Henry III, the French emperor borrowed the diamond to decorate his cap that he wore all the time.

Later on when Henry IV came to the throne, Sancy was made Superintendent of Finance. The diamond was again borrowed as the security for the loan he had taken. The messenger who had carried it was chased and killed by the thieves. The loyal messenger never surrendered and swallowed the diamond. It was later on discovered from his stomach.

In 1669 Charles I of England was beheaded and his widow gave away the Sancy to the earl of Worcester, Somerset. James II, who possessed the crown studded with the Sancy, sold it to the greedy French king Louis XIV for $25,000.

At the beginning of the French revolution in 1792 the Sancy was stolen from the Royal Treasury. In 1828 the diamond mysteriously reappeared while a merchant sold it to Prince Anatole Demidoff, the prince of Russia. In 1867 the Sancy was displayed by a French jeweler and was priced FR 1,000,000.

In 1906 the Sancy was fixed in a tiara which was worn by Lady Astor. The diamond was displayed at the Louvre Museum in 1962. Lady Astor died in 1964 and the diamond inherited by her son 3rd Viscount Aster who wore the stone affixed in hid head ornament.

The Sancy still remains at the Louvre Museum in Paris and carries the history of its long journey from India to England and then to France.