Treasury of National Jewels

The Treasury of Iran

The Treasury of National Jewels is a museum in Tehran, which stores and exhibits the Iranian National Jewels - the wealth of the Shahs. For 25 centuries, the Persian rulers replenished and carefully guarded their treasury. Today, the vast wealth is open to everyone in the jewellery museum at the Central Bank of Iran. It was impossible for world specialists and valuers to name the approximate value of the treasures collected in the museum. Moreover, in addition to material value, each of them is an object of cultural and historical significance.

The Sassanian kings replenished their collection with precious stones, acquiring diamonds and emeralds of unprecedented size as war trophies. The Daria-i-Noor diamond (in Persian it stands for "Sea of Light") is the most captivating of the vast collection of diamonds in the treasury. It is the largest pink diamond in the world, weighing a remarkable 182 carats. The Daria-i-Noor was brought from Nader Shah’s military expedition in India and, according to legend, is only part of an even larger diamond weighing 242 carats.

The Persian throne - Takht-e Khurshid ("The Sun Throne")

The Shahs of the Safavid dynasty were particularly fond of jewellery. Their crowns, thrones, shields, and ceremonial weapons were lavishly adorned with previously collected stones. The reign of Shah Abbas is considered the pinnacle of jewellery artistry in Persia. New masterpieces for the Shah's treasury were crafted by the most skilled Iranian jewellers. The cutting of certain gemstones from jewellery of that period is still regarded as exemplary. By the order of Fath-Ali Shah, the most renowned Persian throne, Takht-e Khurshid ("The Sun Throne", translated from the Persian language), was created. It is designed as a raised platform with two silver stairs and a gold railing. Takht-e Khurshid is encrusted with thirty thousand gemstones, and at the headboard, there is a radiant gold disk – the symbol of the Persian monarchy.

The gem-encrusted globe of Iran

Naser al-Din Shah was the most enthusiastic collector of the treasury. By his order, the treasury was enriched with 58 large yellow diamonds, and the world-famous brooches in the form of two white swans and a black drake were crafted from three enormous pearls. Furthermore, 34 kilograms of pure gold and 6 kilograms of gemstones were used in the creation of the gem-encrusted globe. The meridians and equator of the sphere are adorned with diamonds, while the seas and oceans are decorated with emeralds. Continents and countries are embellished with various gemstones: India with rubies, Africa with sapphires, Southeast Asia, Iraq, and England with uncut diamonds. A large diamond indicates Tehran on the globe, and a ruby signifies Mount Damavand. Along with the gold stand, the globe has a height of 110 centimetres.

Gifts from the Shah to a princess

Only once did the Shah of Iran voluntarily relinquish a portion of the national treasury. Hearing of the beauty of the princess of another country, the Shah sent her lavish gifts. The finest bracelets and necklaces with enamel and rubies, gold vessels adorned with diamonds, as well as dishes and trays, were graciously received. Following the Persian tradition of bride-watching, the Shah requested an audience with the princess, as his generous gifts had been accepted. However, the princess took offence at such a liberty, and the Shah was obliged to return unsuccessful.