Regent Diamond, Historical diamond in Galerie d'Apollon, France.
The Regent Diamond is a gemstone of about 140 carats on display in the Galerie d'Apollon at the Louvre and displays a cushion-cut shape with exceptional clarity. The stone is exhibited alongside other pieces from the French Crown Jewels collection and can be viewed by visitors in that setting.
The rough stone was extracted in India in 1701 and acquired by Thomas Pitt, the British Governor of Madras. It later came into the hands of French monarchs and eventually became part of the French state collection.
The diamond takes its name from its early English owner Thomas Pitt, who gave it prominence in European royal circles. Today visitors can observe how it connects the story of global trade with French royal power through its placement in the Louvre's galleries.
The jewel is kept in a secured glass case in the Galerie d'Apollon and can be viewed during the Louvre's visiting hours. It is advisable to arrive early since this area becomes crowded, and the case contains other valuable objects displayed together.
During World War II, French officials hid the stone inside a fireplace at Château de Chambord to protect it from seizure. This remarkable precaution allowed the jewel to survive the turmoil of war.
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