Hunting the Braganza Diamond: Semiosis conveyed by splendor and secrecy

Abstract

The Braganza (Bragança) diamond – also known as the Great Diamond of Portugal – is considered a mystery, although it seems more accurate saying that it’s a secret. In a strategy here called ludibrium, or a kind of dissimulation game, it appears that since the first news – concerning its discovery in Brazil around 1741 and delivery to King João V of Portugal in the following year – the stone was successively mentioned as being a white sapphire, then a white topaz and more recently an aquamarine, when in fact it was a dark yellow diamond with an oblong shape and about 1680 carats in weight with a specific mark. Being the largest known diamond in the world until the Cullinan’s discovery in 1905, it was an object of desire, becoming dangerous in face of the wolfish greed of European powers. So, its existence is expressed in the tension between the exhibition as a royal adornment of undeniable aesthetic and symbolic value, and the omission from the records and inventories of the crown jewels. However, there is indelible iconic evidence that the stone was exhibited by the Prince of Brazil D. José and later by Queen Maria II of Portugal and, covertly, also by King João VI. There are also explicit reports that the diamond was pawned by King Carlos I in the early 20th century, presumably with a long-term contract. A plausible hypothesis is sketched relative to its possible fate, anchored in the compatibility of physical traits and a fetishist injunction.