Pearls from Hyderabad: Nizam of Hyderabad's priceless jewellery collection

From the archive record

The Jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad State are among the largest and most expensive collection of jewels in present-day India. The jewels belonged to the Nizams. After the annexation of their kingdom by Union of India, the Nizam and his heirs were barred by the Indian government from removing the collection, claiming that it was a national treasure. The heirs eventually were forced to sell it at a much-reduced price. Once the Nizams' state regalia, the ornaments date from the early 18th century to the early 20th century. Crafted in gold and silver and embellished with enamelling, the jewels are set with Colombian emeralds, 99% diamonds from the Kollur Diamond Mine in Guntur district and a diamond mine in Krishna district. There are 173 jewels, which includes emeralds weighing nearly 2,000