If you are a black diamond fan it is apparent that you have heard about the notorious Black Orlov Diamond. Currently weighing 67.50 carats this stunning black beauty originally weighed 195 carat. However its not the size but the infamous curse that has made the Black Orlov so famous. Who ever came in possession of this enchanting black beauty met a tragic fate.

The legend begins from a temple in Pondicherry, India where this black diamond was mounted as the third eye on a statue of Bhramra. The diamond then referred to as The Eye of Brahma, was allegedly stolen by a monk of the temple later to be mysteriously found dead. This gave birth to the speculations that the diamond is cursed as Brahma bestows bad fortune on who so ever comes in contact with his precious diamond. However there is no proper evidence of the existence of the monk and his stealing the diamond. This is more because black diamonds typically are not found in India. The diamond was neither seen nor heard of for many years after the incidence.

Decades later the diamond resurfaced in Great Britain in possession of a Princess Nadia Vyegin Orlov. She is believed to have brought the diamond from India and after whom the diamond was named The Black Orlov. The diamond did not prove to be favorable rather it brought her suffering and failure in love compelling her to take away her life. This story too is murky as there were no traces of any princess with this name in Great Britain. Though almost after a century it was discovered that there did live a Russian princess who had moved to Europe, but she lived over ninety years and did not kill herself rather. There are arguments if she is the same princess.

A decade later two more Russian princesses, Leonila Galitsine-Bariatinsky and Maria Leshchinskaya who also owned the cursed diamond jumped off to kill themselves. The curse of the Black Orlav Diamond had till now taken more than three lives.  

 In 1932, J.W Paris a renowned gem dealer from New York purchased the Black Orlov. The curse of the diamond brought him huge losses in the business making his business to sink. He sold the diamond to his fellow jeweler Charles S. Winston and ended his life by jumping of a skyscraper.

Moved by his friends death and in order to break the curse Charles S. Winston decided to cut the diamond in three parts. There is no information about the two parts of the Orlav but the main cushion shaped diamond is now owned Dennis Petimezas a diamond merchant from Pennsylvania. The curse is believed to have ended since then.

The Black Orlav Diamond as we know it today is a 67.50 carats cushion/square shaped natural black diamond set in a brooch with108 white diamond suspended from a 124-diamond necklace. The curse of this diamond may have ended but it still remains the most fascinating of all.