The Indore Pears Diamond

  The Indore Pears Diamonds are related to a murder that occurred in January of 1925. It occurred in Bombay on Malabar Hill and is referred to as the Malabar Hill Murder. A vehicle of three people, including a Muslim woman, was attacked. One person was killed and the Muslim woman and another were badly injured; the Indore Pears Diamonds were also stolen. Although the diamonds were stolen, the purpose was thought to have been revenge or an endeavor at abduction. The reason for revenge or abduction lies in the Muslim woman, Mumtaz Begum. Prince Maharja of Indore fell in love with her; however, she did not have the same feelings for him. While she was traveling with him, she escaped to Bombay, where a rich merchant protected her. Indore army members, ordered by Prince Maharja, were thought to have committed the crime and stole the Indore Pears Diamonds. Harry Winston later purchased the diamonds from the Prince in 1946. The diamonds weighed 46.95 carats and 46.70 carats and were pear-shaped; Winston later had the diamonds cut to 46.39 carats and 44.14 carats. Winston sold the two diamonds to a client from Philadelphia in 1953; in 1958 he bought the two diamonds again. He then sold them to a client from New York; Winston re-purchased the diamonds once again in 1976. He subsequently sold them a member of the royal family. The Indore Pears Diamonds were auctioned in November of 1980 and November of 1987 at Christie’s in Geneva. The current owner of the Indore Pears Diamonds is Robert Mouawad.