Oldest and Most Expensive Jewellery

Oldest and Most Expensive Jewellery in India and the World:

India has long been recognised as a land of royalty, spiritual legacy, and exceptional craftsmanship, especially when it comes to jewellery. With a rich tradition spanning millennia, India's dynasties and temples have produced some of the world's most stunning and valuable jewellery. From royal heirlooms to sacred temple ornaments, many of these treasures continue to captivate historians and collectors today.

 

In this article, we’ll explore five of the oldest and most expensive jewellery pieces from India, along with two of the oldest globally significant pieces, including their estimated value, historical background, and current location.

🇮🇳 Top 5 Oldest and Most Valuable Indian Jewellery Pieces

 

1. Koh-i-Noor Diamond

 

• Estimated Value: Informally valued up to USD 1 billion
• Age: Over 700 years
• Current Location: Tower of London, UK (British Crown Jewels)

 

The Koh-i-Noor, meaning “Mountain of Light,” is arguably the most iconic diamond in history. Mined from the Kollur Mines in present-day Andhra Pradesh during the 13th–14th century, it weighed over 105 carats before being recut.

 

This magnificent diamond was part of the Mughal treasury, adorning the Peacock Throne. After centuries of ownership disputes among Indian, Persian, and Afghan rulers, it was seized by the British East India Company in 1849 and later incorporated into the British royal crown. Today, it sits in the Tower of London, drawing political controversy and demands for repatriation from India.

 

2. Nizam’s Jewellery Collection

 

• Estimated Value: Over ₹10,000 crore (~$1.2 billion USD)
• Age: 18th–20th century (200–300 years)
• Current Location: Reserve Bank of India Vault, Hyderabad

 

The Nizam of Hyderabad—once called the richest man in the world—owned one of the largest royal jewellery collections ever assembled. This treasury includes 173 pieces, featuring diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and pearls. Among them is the Jacob Diamond, a 184.75-carat gem believed to be double the size of the Koh-i-Noor.

 

The entire collection is currently stored in a high-security vault of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is rarely shown to the public, with occasional exhibitions conducted by the Indian government.

 

3. Peacock Throne Jewels

 

• Estimated Value: Invaluable; estimated hundreds of millions USD
• Age: Commissioned in the early 1600s
• Current Location: Parts believed to be in Iranian museums and private collections

 

Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Peacock Throne was adorned with legendary gems, including the Koh-i-Noor, Tavernier Diamond, rubies and sapphires. The throne symbolised imperial glory and opulence.

 

In 1739, Persian ruler Nader Shah invaded Delhi and looted the throne, taking it to Iran. While the throne was eventually dismantled, some jewels are believed to survive in Iran’s National Jewellery Treasury in Tehran and other collections.

 

4. Patiala Necklace by Cartier

 

• Estimated Value: Originally over USD 30 million
• Age: Made in 1928
• Current Location: Partially recovered, now in the Cartier Archives, Paris

 

Commissioned by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, this grand necklace was crafted by Cartier and featured 2,930 diamonds, including the famous 234-carat De Beers yellow diamond, then the 7th largest in the world.

 

The necklace mysteriously vanished in the 1940s and resurfaced in fragments decades later. Cartier restored it, replacing missing diamonds with replicas. The original De Beers diamond is still missing, but the piece remains a symbol of colonial-era luxury and Indian royalty’s global influence.

 

5. Tanjore (Thanjavur) Temple Jewellery

 

• Estimated Value: Culturally priceless; estimated worth in crores (INR)
• Age: Over 1,000 years
• Current Location: Brihadeeswarar Temple and local museums in Tamil Nadu

 

Tanjore temple jewellery dates to the Chola Dynasty and was originally designed to adorn Hindu deities in grand South Indian temples. Made from pure gold, often embedded with rubies, emeralds, and pearls, this style continues to influence classical Bharatanatyam dance jewellery today.

 

Some original pieces are still kept within temple vaults, like at the Brihadeeswarar Temple, while others are displayed in Tamil Nadu’s museums.

 

Two of the Oldest and Most Famous Jewellery Pieces in the World

 

1. Koh-i-Noor (Revisited)

 

Already discussed above, the Koh-i-Noor diamond is not just India’s pride but also among the world’s oldest and most disputed diamonds, with global recognition and a colonial legacy.

 

2. Tutankhamun’s Death Mask (Egypt)

 

• Estimated Value: Over USD 2 million (material), culturally priceless
• Age: Over 3,300 years (made around 1323 BCE)
• Current Location: Egyptian Museum, Cairo

 

The death mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship, made from 11 kg of solid gold, lapis lazuli, and other semiprecious stones. Discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter, it remains one of the most iconic artefacts from antiquity and a national treasure of Egypt.

 

Why These Jewels Matter: Beyond Wealth

 

Jewellery, in these cases, is more than ornamental. It represents:

• Political power and colonial legacy (Koh-i-Noor, Peacock Throne)
• Cultural and religious significance (Tanjore jewels)
• Mastery of craftsmanship and technology (Patiala Necklace, Tutankhamun’s mask)
• Global disputes over ownership and identity

 

These pieces are living artefacts of world history and continue to shape discussions on cultural restitution and heritage.

 

Conclusion

 

From the sacred halls of South Indian temples to the cold vaults of the Tower of London, these jewels tell centuries-old stories of artistry, power, conquest, and divinity. While their beauty is undeniable, their true value lies in their history.

 

Whether locked away in vaults or displayed behind glass, the world's oldest jewellery pieces continue to sparkle, reminding us of civilisations long past and the human desire to preserve beauty through time.