The 245.35-carat ‘Jubilee diamond’, twice the size of the Kohinoor, was purchased in the early 1900s by Sir Dorabji Tata, the elder son of Jamsetji Tata, for his wife Lady Meherbai. Acquired from
The 245.35-carat ‘Jubilee diamond’, twice the size of the Kohinoor, was purchased in the early 1900s by Sir Dorabji Tata, the elder son of Jamsetji Tata, for his wife Lady Meherbai. Acquired from London merchants for £100,000 a significant amount at the time the diamond was mounted on a platinum claw and worn by Lady Meherbai on special occasions.
Lady Meherbai Tata, one of India’s early feminist icons, was a trailblazer who championed women’s rights, including the abolition of child marriage, women’s suffrage, and education for girls. Her role in saving Tata Steel reflects her dedication not just to her family but to the larger mission of nation-building.
‘Jubilee diamond’ Saved Tata Steel
In 1924, Tata Steel faced severe financial difficulties, when the company was unable to pay employee wages. Faced with this crisis, Sir Dorabji and Lady Meherbai Tata made an extraordinary decision. They pledged their entire personal wealth, including the Jubilee diamond, to the Imperial Bank (now the State Bank of India), raising the necessary funds to save the company.
In his book #TataStories, Harish Bhat narrates the fascinating tale of how Lady Meherbai Tata played a pivotal role in rescuing Tata Steel during a financial crisis, with the help of the legendary Jubilee diamond.
Jubilee Diamond’s Impact Beyond Tata Steel
The Jubilee diamond’s journey didn’t end there. When Sir Dorabji Tata passed away in 1932, he bequeathed his wealth, including the proceeds from the sale of the Jubilee diamond, to the Sir Dorabji Tata Charitable Trust. The funds from this trust were instrumental in establishing iconic institutions such as the Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
Among other priceless pieces in the Tata collection was a necklace of 40 blue diamonds weighing 103 carats, which also contributed to the trust’s philanthropic initiatives.
Where Is the Jubilee Diamond Now?
According to a report by Only Natural Diamonds in 2023, today, the Jubilee diamond resides in the prestigious Mouawad Collection. Once owned by French industrialist Paul-Louis Weiller and later acquired by Lebanese diamond magnate Robert Mouawad, it is now part of one of the world’s finest private collections. Hidden in a vault, the Jubilee sparkles quietly, carrying with it a legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and global impact.
This extraordinary tale underscores the Tata family’s enduring legacy of using their wealth not for personal gain but for the greater good of society.
Lady Meherbai was married to Sir Dorabji Tata, the eldest son of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group. Ratan Tata is the grandson of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group.