by Angela Magnotti Andrews Ashoka Diamonds made a big splash in 2011, when Reese Witherspoon revealed her 4-carat Ashoka-cut diamond engagement ring. Her husband, Jim Toth chose the William Goldberg patented cut because he was moved by the story of its origins.

Ashoka's Bloody Battle

Between 268 BCE and 232 BCE, a Mauryan emperor named Ashoka ruled India with an iron fist. Imperialist by design, he set about conquering India's feudal states. One such state on the Bay of Bengal had defied Mauryan rule for centuries. Determined to succeed where his forbears had failed, Ashoka sent forces into Kalinga to begin one of the bloodiest and most brutal battles of world history {5}. It is written in stone that 100,000 Kalingans lost their lives, and 10,000 of the emperor's men were killed {6}. This stone was carved by edict of King Ashoka, who is said to have witnessed firsthand the destruction he ordered. Reports claim that the river ran red with blood and that a distraught woman turned the tide on Ashoka's imperialism. "Your actions have taken from me my father, husband and son, now what will I have left to live for?" she entreated {6}.

Confessions Carved in Stone

In perhaps one of the most transformative moments in world history, a repentant Ashoka turned to the Buddha's teachings for direction. Little is known of the circumstances surrounding his conversion, but the result is carved in stone pillars that stand across the continent. Signed Devanampiya Piyadasi ('beloved of the gods and handsome in looks'), historians are positive that these stone edicts are the confessions, reparations, and assertions of this same King Ashoka, known the world over as Ashoka the Great {9}.

"Conquest by Dharma"

Turning his back forever on imperial conquest, he turned instead to "conquest by dharma" {4}. In a tone of sincere remorse, he wrote of his crimes against his fellow man, and he urged his officials, his kinsmen, and his subjects to adopt the way of dharma. He believed dharma to be "the energetic practice of the sociomoral virtues of honesty, truthfulness, compassion, mercifulness, benevolence, nonviolence, considerate behavior toward all...nonextravagance, nonacquisitiveness, and noninjury to animals" {4}. He encouraged an atmosphere of religious tolerance and respect for all life, and he spent the remainder of his days beautifying all of India, preaching the way of dharma, and providing water and medicine to his countrymen {4}.

The Ashoka Diamond in the West

These pillars of history can be found in many locations in India, including Delhi, Allhabad, Bihar, and in Nepal {9}. James Prinsep, a scholar specializing in translating ancient texts, was the first to bring Ashoka to the attention of the western world. More attention was paid once the Ashoka Diamond emerged onto western soil. It first emerged on the finger of famed Mexican actress Maria Felix. Later, art investor Roberto Polo acquired the stone for his collection (and for his wife, Rosa). Eventually, under the watchful gaze of legendary diamantaire William Goldberg, the Ashoka Diamond emerged as a pinnacle choice for diamond engagement rings.

Dunne is Dazzled

A disputed article* written by Dominick Dunne, which appeared in Vanity Fair in October 1988, detailed the journalist's encounter with the Ashoka Diamond. Sitting at the table of John Loring, Tiffany & Co.'s senior vice president, the writer was dazzled by the glittering stone on the finger of Mr. Polo's wife, Rosa. By this time, Mr. Polo was a legendary art and jewelry investment adviser. His substantial investment in Sotheby's stock options saved the company from ruin in the early '80s, and his other investments in the international art scene led to success for many artists and dealers.

Ashoka Diamond, Sold! for $3.85 Million

In that same year, 1988, Mr. Polo curated the record-breaking sale of eight sensational gemstones at Sotheby's. Leading the list was the "41.37-carat oblong cushion-shaped Golconda Ashoka Diamond set as a ring, bought in 1984 for $ 1 000 000 from the beautiful Mexican film star Maria Felix, sold for $ 3 850 000, the second highest auction price in history for a white diamond..." {8}. According to Mr. Dunne, the stone was "so huge it would have been impossible not to comment on it" {3}. Roberto told him it was "a 41.37-carat D-flawless stone named after Ashoka Maurya, the third-century B.C. Buddhist warrior-emperor" {3}. Once the ring was sold by Sotheby's, its provenance has remained somewhat obscured by the tightly held secrets of important jewelers and dealers. However, given the extensive opportunity he had to study the diamond {2}, its possible that Mr. Goldberg was the lucky man who welcomed that stone into his collection. This is mere theory, though, so don't quote me.

The Right to Be Beautiful

William Golberg once said, "You shouldn't cheat a diamond of its right to be beautiful" {10}. After studying the Ashoka Diamond extensively, he worked tirelessly alongside his gemologists to recreate the great king's diamond. According to the diamantaire, this cut renders a diamond that rivals its namesake in distinction, "a cut so unique, so distinctive and original, it was granted its very own patent" {2}. This premiere diamond cut requires a scarce form of diamond rough. These raw diamonds must be of high quality (D to K, flawless to SI2) and must be extra long {1}. Given the rarity of rough diamonds of this caliber, an Ashoka Cut Diamond is an exquisite and exclusive choice for a diamond engagement ring.

For Further Reading

The article can be read in Dominick Dunne's collection of his Vanity Fair articles, "Mansions in Limbo." According to RobertoPolo.com, Mr. Dunne's account was "slanderous" and that his journalistic practices were "sensationalist, deceptive and responsible." Both accounts make for interesting reading.

Bibliography

1. AM-Diamonds. "Ashoka Fancy Cut Diamond." Accessed December 15, 2014. http://www.am-diamonds.com/articles/fancy-shaped-diamonds/ashoka-fancy-diamond-cut.php.
2. Ashoka Diamond. "History of Ashoka." Accessed December 15, 2014. http://www.ashokadiamond.com/history/.
3. Dunne, Dominick. The Mansions of Limbo. New York: Crown Publishers, 1991.
4. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. "Ashoka." Accessed December 15, 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/38797/Ashoka.
5. Indian Saga. "History of India: Kalinga War." Accessed December 15, 2014. http://indiansaga.com/history/magadha_kalinga.html.
6. Keuning, Wytze and J.E. Steur. Ashoka the Great. New Delhi: Rupa Publications Pvt. Ltd., 2010.
7. Maps of India1. "The Battle of Kalinga and its Aftermath," Maps of India Blog, October 18, 2011. http://blog.mapsofindia.com/states/the-battle-of-kalinga-and-its-aftermath/.
8. Roberto Polo. "Setting the record straight." Accessed December 15, 2014. http://www.robertopolo.com/roberto-polo-bio_en.html#Top.
9. Sen Gupta, Subhadra. Ashoka. UK: Puffin Lives, 2009.
10. William Goldberg. "Famous Diamonds." Accessed December 15, 2014. http://www.williamgoldberg.com/famous-diamonds/.