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The Chapada: Emanuel

The thread of the history is then taken up by Murray, who tells us that "it has remained for ten years in the possession of Rundell & Bridge, and was disposed of by public sale in London in July, 1831, for the sum of pound 7,200 to Emanuel Brothers. Its weight is stated to be 89 3/4 carats. The amount realized by the sale of the 'Nassak' diamond scarcely amounted to one-third of its previously estimated amount."

It was in the month of August, 1837, that the "Nassak" and a number of other costly gems were put up to sale, by Messrs. Emanuel in Willis's Lower Room, King Street, St. James's. The "Nassak," and the diamond earrings, presented by the Nabob of Arcot to Queen Charlotte, together with the brilliant brooch purchased by Emanuel from Bevis Marks, were knocked down to the Marquis of Westminster, who presented the earrings and brooch to the Marchioness as a birthday present.

At the Drawing Room on Queen Victoria's birthday, immediately succeeding her accession to the British throne, the Marquis of Westminster wore the "Nassak" diamond on the hilt of his sword, and, "the Marchioness intended on the same occasion to have worn the 'Arcot' diamonds, but indisposition prevented her attendance."

We have seen that the "original weight" was 89 3/4 carats, and this was now reduced to 78 5/8 carats, a very slight sacrifice compared with the loss suffered by the "Koh-i-Nur', and some other Indian stones when re-cut in London or Amsterdam. Kluge says the re-cutting was executed "by order of the Marquis of Westminster." But this must be a mistake; for the operation, as already stated, was performed by Messrs. Rundell before the stone was put up to sale in July, 1837, and consequently before the Marquis had any control over it.

It gained so much in the lapidary's hands that this gem is now reputed to be worth from pound 25,000 to pound 30,000, and it must not be forgotten that the stone was sold when times were very bad and money scarce.