Beau Sancy Diamond

 A fervent monarchist and investor, Nicholas Harlay de Sancy was the owner of the Sancy Diamond and the Beau Sancy Diamond; hence, the names of the diamonds. The Sancy Diamond was shield-shaped and weighed 55.23 carats. The Beau Sancy Diamond, also referred to as the Little Sancy, weighed approximately 37 to 38 carats and was colorless. It also contained 110 facets and was in a circular shape. Negotiations over Sancy’s diamonds went on for many years between Nicholas Harlay de Sancy and the Duke of Mantua; however, they ended in nothing. In 1604 England’s King James I purchased the Sancy Diamond. Later that year, Marie de Medicis, King Henry of France’s wife, purchased the Beau Sancy Diamond. However, after her husband’s death, Marie de Medicis became obsessed with her newly gained power; she also began to use it in sinister ways. She was later exiled and died in an abundance of debt. To pay her debt, many of her belongings, including the Beau Sancy Diamond, were sold. England’s William III, the grandson of France Frederick Henry, later inherited the Beau Sancy. Queen Mary II received the diamond as a wedding gift from William III. However, the couple had no children, so the Beau Sancy Diamond was then passed to another of Prince Frederick Henry’s grandsons, Frederick III. He later became King Frederick I of Prussia and the Beau Sancy became one of Prussia’s most important diamonds. The Beau Sancy now belongs to Prince Louis-Ferdinand of Prussia.