The Crown’s Cursed Jewels

Shortly after their engagement in February 1981, Charles and Diana spoke to British outlets about their proposal — and the ring. “It’s a wonderful sapphire and diamond,” Princess Diana said, showing it off to the camera. The ring — a 12-carat sapphire with 14 diamonds circling it — would become one of the most iconic of the modern age. Diana’s son, William, would even propose to Kate with it. To this day, some argue that the ring is cursed: it has led to divorce and death, after all.

The sapphire isn’t British, but from Sri Lanka. And it’s not the only South Asian jewel that’s made its way into royal hands. There’s the infamous 106-carat Koh-i-Noor on display in the Tower of London; the Black Prince’s “ruby” from or near present-day Afghanistan in the Imperial State Crown; the Lahore diamond in late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation necklace; and a pearl necklace from Punjab ruler Ranjit Singh. King George IV even momentarily “owned” the 45.5-carat Hope diamond, extracted from a mine in Golconda, India but now on display at the Smithsonian. Many have called for their return, others have spoken about the curses that shroud them. Yet, the British royal family hasn’t parted ways with most of these jewels, usually acquired via unsavory means.