Royal Coster Diamonds has been around for a long time, at least since 1840.
Mr Coster presumably founded the diamond polishing company before this date, but there is no (written) proof of this. Royal Coster Diamonds has an exciting history. A few highlights are:
The Koh-I-Noor
The Koh-I-Noor is an oval 109-carat diamond weighing 21.6 grams. It is the most illustrious diamond of the British Crown Jewels. The stone is literally priceless and therefore cannot be insured. Currently, the Koh-I-Noor is on display in the Tower of London along with Britain’s other Crown Jewels. For most of its long history, the Koh-I-Noor was the largest diamond in the world and to this day, it is the most expensive diamond in the world. The Koh-I-Noor is a diamond with a fascinating history and an impressive journey.
Empress Sisi visits Amsterdam
In the spring of 1884, Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, often referred to as Sisi by her father, visited Amsterdam and Royal Coster Diamonds.
Sisi came to The Netherlands for her health. She stayed at the Doelenhotel in Amsterdam. But in addition to her rooms there, she also had temporary rooms in Zandvoort because she loved the sea. Sisi officially suffered from sciatica and “nervous pain”. But her biographers assume there was more to it. She was unhealthy thin. Based on the symptoms of her ailments, they assumed hunger edema and anorexia nervosa. In Amsterdam, Sisi received treatments from the legendary doctor Johan Georg Mezger. The doctor advised her to take many long walks and to bathe in the sea regularly.
The Story of King Rama V
In September 1897, King Rama 5 of Siam (Thailand) visited Amsterdam and Royal Coster Diamonds. Almost every Thai household has a portrait of King Chulalongkorn Rama V. In his portraits he often wears a fine Western costume and proudly looks out at the world. Rama V’s full name is “King Chulalongkorn the Great”. That is because of his contributions to the reform and modernization of Thailand. His diplomatic skills saved his country from becoming a colony.
King Rama V had a love of science and (Western) civilization that he discovered during his many travels. When Chulalongkorn became king at a very young age, he was determined that his country needed to be reformed. Resistance from powerful courtiers caused this process to proceed at a snail’s pace. But when Chulalongkorn was given absolute kingship, nothing could stop him from improving Siam.
