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De Beers Presents “Voyage Through the Diamond Realm” at India Art Fair 2026 Featuring Lakshmi Madhavan

Immersive Installation Blends Natural-Coloured Diamonds with Lakshmi Madhavan’s Kasavu Art at India Art Fair 2026

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De Beers unveiled “Voyage Through the Diamond Realm,” at India Art Fair 2026. The immersive installation invites audiences to explore the mythical origins of diamonds. Through visual storytelling, scenography and soundscapes, the installation reveals the living heritage of diamonds, their cosmic and earthly journeys across time.

Positioned at the intersection of art, nature and human expression, the experience acknowledges diamonds beyond adornment — recognizing them as treasured masterpieces shaped by billions of years of time, pressure, and transformation. The multi-sensory narrative, drew parallels between geological creation and artistic practice, revealing how nature, much like art, produces enduring expressions of beauty, rarity, and emotion.

Speaking on the installation and its India debut, Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President, De Beers Group, said, “Natural diamonds are among nature’s most extraordinary artworks, formed over billions of years, each one entirely unique. Presenting Voyage Through the Diamond Realm at India Art Fair feels fitting, diamonds are cultural artefacts, that inspire artistic dialogue which feels deeply relevant to India.

Our collaboration with artist Lakshmi Madhavan brings together two worlds of creation, one born deep within the earth, the other shaped by generations of human hands, while our association with India Art Fair reinforces our belief that art is a powerful lens through which material, heritage and meaning can be reimagined.”

Following its debut at Frieze Masters, London in 2025, the India edition underscored De Beers’ continued commitment to the country and deepened the narrative through a collaboration with contemporary artist Lakshmi Madhavan. Her installation featuring Kasavu, Kerala’s traditional gold-bordered handwoven textile, emerged as a compelling focal point.

Developed in collaboration with the Balaramapuram weaving community, the Kasavu installation served as a human counterpoint to the diamond. Together, diamonds and Kasavu revealed shared themes of time, continuity, craftsmanship and transformation.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Lakshmi Madhavan said, “I am truly excited to be part of this collaboration, which allowed me to work with a material that holds as much history, heritage, and cultural meaning as my core material — the Kasavu textile. Adornment emerged for me as one of the earliest human impulses, where materials gain meaning only in relation to the body.

Created in collaboration with the Balaramapuram Kasavu weaving community, the installation positions Kasavu as a human analogue to the diamond. Both materials carry histories of time and transformation and are activated through wear, touch and lived ritual.”

A unique highlight of the installation was the presentation of four exceptional natural-coloured diamonds — Pink, Orange, Light Blue and the rare Chameleon diamond, known for its remarkable ability to temporarily change colour to yellow when gently heated, before returning to its original hue. Displayed as individual expressions of geological artistry, the gems embodied the extraordinary diversity and rarity found in nature.

Adding to this showcase was a five-carat exceptional Forevermark diamond, accompanied by a ring design created by the Milan-based design team, offering interested collectors the opportunity to translate nature’s artwork into a contemporary piece of fine jewellery.

Presented in partnership with India Art Fair, the exhibition reinforced the role of collaborative platforms in expanding cultural dialogue and artistic awareness in India.

The opening reception drew a distinguished gathering from across film, art, design and culture. Among those in attendance were actor Khushi Kapoor, producer and fashion entrepreneur Rhea Kapoor, artist Ravi Vazirani, Yashwant Holkar, Lavina Baldota, designer Tahir Sultan, architect Khsuhnu Hoof among others.

Extending its engagement with India’s art ecosystem, De Beers also hosted an evening in collaboration with India Art Fair’s Young Collectors Programme.The event brought together emerging collectors, creative professionals and young cultural voices for an intimate experience of Voyage Through the Inner Realm, fostering dialogue around art, materiality and strengthening the foundations of India’s contemporary art landscape.

Through its presence at India Art Fair 2026, De Beers’ reaffirmed its commitment to cultural dialogue, craftsmanship and responsible luxury, positioning natural diamonds within a broader narrative where nature itself is the ultimate artist.

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DiamondBuzz

The Great Indian Diamonds: A Closer Look At India’s Most Iconic Diamonds

De Beers Highlights India’s Historic Role In Shaping The Global Diamond Legacy Through A Curated Archive Of Iconic Gems

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De Beers’ A Diamond is Forever marks Diamond Month with the release of “The Great Indian Diamond Archive”, a deep dive into 12 of the world’s legendary diamonds, all of which trace their origins back to India.

For centuries, diamonds have drawn attention for their brilliance and rarity, often associated with wealth, power, and prestige. What is less widely known, however, is that the story of diamonds began in India. Some of the most famous diamonds in the world, including the Koh-i-Noor, trace their origins back to the country.

At a time when much of the world was unfamiliar with diamonds, India had already established itself as a centre for diamond mining. The Golconda region was one of the earliest and most significant sources, producing several historic gems. Many of these diamonds were found along the Krishna River and eventually travelled across continents through trade, becoming part of royal treasuries.

Historical records suggest that diamond mining in India dates back to the 4th century BCE, making it one of the oldest known traditions in the world. Over time, these diamonds became associated with different rulers, empires, and geographies, each adding a new layer to their identity.

Diamonds such as the Koh-i-Noor, Hope Diamond, Regent, and Daria-i-Noor continue to be among the most talked about and valuable gems globally. Today, some are housed in museums, while others remain part of private or royal collections. Several of these diamonds have also been re-cut over time, changing both their appearance and identity.

Bringing these stories together, The Great Indian Diamond Index presents 12 of the most prominent diamonds associated with India. Developed as part of De Beers’ initiative, the index brings them into one place for the first time.

Rather than looking at these diamonds only as precious objects, the index traces their full journey—from their natural origins to their historical and cultural significance. It combines physical attributes with context to offer a more complete view of their legacy.

The list has been compiled using a structured research framework developed specifically as The Great Indian Diamond Index.

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