Diamonds – from India to Antwerp
By sandra. Filed in Antwerp, Europe, Flanders |
In the the 17 th century, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, the son of an Antwerp, Belgium engraver, traveled to Persia and India. He was lucky enough to get to see the large gemstones in the treasure houses of the Indian rulers and was smart enough (or rich enough) to bring some of the world’s most famous diamonds home as souvenirs – including the Koh-I-Noor and the Blue Hope. He sold them to kings – like Louis the XIV of France. We learned all about him at the Diamond Museum (www.antwerp-tourist-guide.com/antwerp-diamond.html)