The Banjarmasin Diamond

Published February 22, 2017 at 1714 × 1700 in Amsterdam, City of Museums (Day 2)

This diamond once hung on a chain around the neck of Sultan Panembahan Adam van Banjarmasin (South Borneo). After problems arose in the succession, the Netherlands decided in 1859 to – forcibly – seize control of the sultanate of Banjarmasin. The diamond was declared Dutch state property. In Amsterdam the 70-carat rough diamond was later cut into a rectangular-s’ diamond of 36 carats.