Iranian Crown Jewels
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The Imperial Crown Jewels of Iran, aka the Imperial Crown Jewels of Persia, is one of the largest and most valuable jewel collections in the world. The collection consists of a set of crowns and thrones, some 30 tiaras, numerous aigrettes, jewel-studded swords and shields, a vast amount of precious loose gems, including the largest collections of emeralds, rubies, spinels and yellow diamonds in the world, and other items collected by the Shahs of Iran during the 2,500 year existence of the Iranian monarchy. Most of the items in the collection were however acquired by the Safavid shahs who ruled Iran from 1502 - 1736 AD.
When the Afghans in 1719 AD raided and pillaged Isfahan, which was the capital of Iran during the Safavid, the city was laid in ruins and most of the crown jewels vanished with the invaders. In 1729 the Nader Shah Afshar, regained Iran from the Afghans. In 1738 Nader Shah launched a campaign against Kandahar, Kabul and India. Nader Shah returned to Iran with several heavily jewel-encrusted thrones, large chests filled to the brim with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and other precious gems. He also took the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Darya-ye Noor Diamond, which are amongst the largest diamonds in the world.
Samarian Spinel is a 500 carat, largest known spinel in the world.
The crown jewels were last used by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and the Farah Pahlavi during official ceremonies and state visits.
So valuable are the Iranian crown jewels that they back the Iranian currency as a reserve. For centuries they were kept locked up out of the sight of the public. It was only during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi that the crown jewels were put on display at the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran. He also decreed that the jewels would be the property of the Iranian state and not the Imperial family.
When the Iranian revolution toppled the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979, there were many rumors about that the Iranian treasures had been stolen by revolutionaries and sold in Europe - Although some smaller items had indeed been stolen and smuggled across Iran's borders, the bulk of the collection remained intact.[citation needed] This also became evident when the revolutionary government under the presidency of Hashemi Rafsanjani re-opened the permanent exhibition of the Iranian crown jewels to the public in the 1990s. The smugglers of the stolen items were caught in Pakistan and the stolen items were confiscated by Pakistani authorities. Iran has pleaded with Pakistan to return the stolen items to Iran, but to this day no items have been returned.[citation needed]
 The imperial crown of the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran - The last imperial dynasty to rule Iran. The crown is studded with 3,380 diamonds, totaling 1,144 carats (228.8 g), of which the largest is a brilliant-cut yellow diamond of 60 carats (12 g). Of the 5 emeralds, totaling 200 carats (40 g), the largest is approximately 100 carats (20 g). The largest sapphire is 20 carats (4 g). |
 "The empress tiara worn on many occasions by empress Farah of Iran" |
 "One of approximately 30 tiaras belonging to the Iranian crown jewel collection" |
 The coronation crown worn by empress Farah of Iran on the coronation in 1967 |
 The Imperial Kiani Crown of Iran was the official crown of the Qajar dynasty which ruled Iran between 1796–1925. The crown stands 320 mm (12.5 in) high, and is 195 mm (7.5 in) wide. It features some 1800 small fine pearls, 300 emeralds and 1800 rubies, and numerous diamonds. |
 The Naderi throne stands 225 cm tall (7.5 ft) and is studded with 26,733 jewels in a base of gold. This throne was used at the coronation of the two Pahlavi shahs in 1926 and 1967. It got its name from Nader Shah who ruled Iran 1736 - 1747 AD. |
 Dagger and epaulets of Nader Shah Afshar of Iran(1688 - 1747 AD). The epaulets are studded with the finest of diamonds. The Iranian crown jewels house one of the largest collections of emeralds in the world. " |
 "The imperial sword, was last worn by the Shah of Iran at his coronation in 1967. The whole handle, hilt and scabbard of the sword is encrusted with some 3000 precious gem stones, including large emeralds, rubies, diamonds and spinels. The sword measures 103 cm. |
 Treasure chest filled with precious pearls from the Persian gulf. The chest is enameled with intricate Qajar period Persian paintings and floral patterns |
 The Imperial Coronation Belt - The belt itself is woven of gold and is 119 cm (46 in) long. The emerald in the buckle weighs 175 carats (35 g) and is surrounded with numerous fine diamonds. Not much is known about the history of the belt other than that it dates back to at least the 17th century AD. Both Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty wore the belt on their coronations." |
 The Sun Throne in Golestan Palace, Iran - One of several thrones of the Persian courts, of which the most famous one is the legendary Peacock Throne. The throne itself is inspired by Peacock Throne. |
 "Jewel-studded pitcher. Fully covered with emeralds, rubies diamonds and pearls. Probably used for serving wine." |
 Dish cover. One of the European travellers / explorers who had the opportunity to visit the imperial court of the Shah's of Iran (Persian) in the 16th century, described in his writings that he managed to count up to 4000 dishes - plates, food covers, pitchers, and cups, etc., that all were studded with the finest of precious jewels, and yet he didn't have the chance to see them all. |
 The impressive coronation necklace of the Iranian empress, featuring huge emeralds, diamonds, rare yellow diamonds and the finest pearls |
 The 15 meter long blue-green velvet cape of the Iranian empress was worn on the coronation in Tehran 1967. It's densely studded with thousands of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and other precious gems. |
 The jewel studded imperial globe of the Iranian crown jewels stands 110 cm tall (44 in) and has a diameter of 45 cm (18 in) It is studded with more than 51,000 precious gems. The seas and oceans are shown with emeralds while the countries are mostly displayed in rubies and spinels. Iran, Britain, France, and parts of South Asia are shown in diamonds. The base is constructed of wood, covered with a layer of gold. Approximately 35 kilograms (75 lb) of pure gold is used in the globe. |
 The Darya-i-Noor diamond is one of the world largest diamonds and definitely one of the absolutely rarest because of its unusual pink color. It weighs 182 carats (36.4 g)and its colour is a pale pink which is one of the rarest to be found in diamonds. It's Persian name 'Darya-ye Noor' translates into English as the 'Sea of Light' |
Though Iran is now an Islamic Republic, the monarchy having been overthrown in 1979, the Imperial Crown Jewels are still on display in the Iranian Central Bank in Tehran. The set includes
- Jewel-studded globe
- The Pahlavi Crown
- Darya-e Noor diamond
- Kiani Crown
- Emerald and Diamond Tiara
- The Royal Sword
- The Noor-ol-Ain Tiara
- Empress Farah's tiara
- The Empress's Crown
- Emerald & Diamond Necklace
- The Sword of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar
- The Naderi Throne
- The Peacock Throne
- The Royal Mace of Iran
- Diamond & Platinum Necklace
- Sapphire & Diamond Brooch
- Nader Shah's Sword
- Turquoise Swords and Epaulets
- Nader Shah's Shield
- Emerald Beads and Necklace
- Rings and loose stones of emerald
- Emerald Brooch and Necklace
[edit] External links
- Amazing Iran
- Imperial Iran of the Pahlavi Dynasty
- The Imperial Jewels of Iran (images)
- Treasury of National Jewels of Iran
- Sara Mashayekh, The Breathtaking Jewelry Museum of Iran, Rozaneh Magazine, January-February 2006, [1].
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