Renowned the world-over for its exquisite craftsmanship, the famed Nizam's jewels were put up for exhibition at the National Museum in New Delhi on Wednesday amidst tight security.

The collection comprising 173 precious jewels, including the Jacob diamond that is almost double the size of the Kohinoor diamond, have been exhibited in an especially constructed safe room.

This is the second occasion when the jewels, one of the largest and richest collections of jewels in India, have been put up for exhibition in the national capital.

The jewels, whose value is said to be inestimable, includes necklaces, belts, buckles, bracelets, bangles, earrings, armlets and watch chains. Giving company to the Jacob diamond are diamonds from the mines of Golconda, Colombian emeralds, Burmese rubies and pearls from Basra, Iraq and the Gulf of Mannar.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Karan Singh, chairman of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, recalled how the Jacob diamond was discovered by a member of the Nizam family hidden in a slipper.

"It is a legendary collection and there are some fabulous jewels in it," he said.

Union Culture Minister Ambika Soni, who was also present at the inauguration, said she was happy the public would get to see the rare jewellery.

Image: Ambika Soni looks at a diamond necklace during the inauguration. The sparkling Jacob diamond, the beautiful seven stringed pearl necklace, known as 'satlada' and many glittering jewels with button pearls and diamond beads are on view.

Photograph:  Raveendran/AFP/Getty Images