Pan African calls time on rampant gold theft at Sheba mine
February 14, 2025Qatari royal loses UK lawsuit over ‘Idol’s Eye’ diamond
February 17, 2025Qatari royal family’s legal battle over The Idol’s Eye diamond
The Idol’s Eye is a 70.21-carat diamond reportedly valued at more than $27 million, thought to be the world’s largest cut blue diamond. It is just 2.6cm long and 2.45cm wide.
However, the tiny, pale blue stone made headlines worldwide as the subject of a bitter court battle between two branches of Qatar’s royal family. A diamond found in 1600 and passed through the hands of royals, art collectors, sultans, and aristocracy required answering a single question.
When it comes to diamonds, there are few more prized than those hacked from mines near the Golconda fort in India. The Hope Diamond, the Regent Diamond, the Kohinoor — and, yes, The Idol’s Eye — were excavated from the area’s mine. According to Christie’s auction house, the ruined city near Hyderabad was once the “bustling centre” of the world’s diamond industry.
