Bala Koh-i-noor, or the Little Kohinoor: A Diamond that Belongs to History by Dr Usha Balakrishnan

The World Diamond Museum recently screened its second webinar series with a presentation by the renowned Indian jewellery historian and the curator of the book Diamonds Across Time – Dr Usha Balakrishnan. At Facets Of Mankind – the virtual museum which is meant to explore “the story of man's age-old affinity with this marvelous stone” (Gaitonde), and make it accessible to audiences that would otherwise have no way of experiencing it, Dr Balakrishnan spoke about the most treasured Golconda Diamond, known as Bala Koh-i-noor, or the Little Kohinoor. The series by the authors of "Diamonds Across Time," is now available for viewing on The World Diamond Museum YouTube channel!

Watch Dr Balakrishnan’s presentation here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7b-WR7GyA

Facets Of Mankind seeks to combine history with iconic diamonds and jewellery in museums all over the world. It will focus specifically on diamonds instead of generally on all varieties of gemstones, as museum collections usually do. The museum intends to tell the story of a diamond by means of the cultural role they fulfilled. This will be the proverbial thread running through the WDM, to tell the stories of diamonds and to enable our visitors and friends to find themselves back in those stories. While it is no substitute for the magic of seeing some of these beauties in person, it is a chance for many who will never have that singular opportunity to enjoy and appreciate them still.