Treasury of National Jewels

The national jewels are kept in a vault beneath the Central Bank on Ferdowsi Avenue and opened to visitors on limited days, and the collection is one of the largest of its kind anywhere, accumulated by successive dynasties and never dispersed. The best known objects are the Darya-ye Noor, a pink diamond of about 182 carats, one of the largest in the world; the Globe of Jewels, made in 1869 from about fifty-one thousand stones with the seas in emerald and the land in ruby; the Peacock Throne and the Naderi Throne; and a series of crowns, aigrettes, arms and ceremonial objects. Much of the collection derives from Nader Shah's campaigns in India in the eighteenth century. It backs part of the national currency.

What you actually see

• The Darya-ye Noor - a pink diamond of about 182 carats.
• The Globe of Jewels - fifty-one thousand stones set as a world map.
• The Naderi Throne - a jewelled throne of the eighteenth century.
• Crowns and ceremonial arms - regalia of successive dynasties.

When to go

Year round, but opening is restricted to a few afternoons a week and hours are short, so check before going. Two hours. Bags, cameras and phones must be left at security and there is no photography inside.

Honest expectations

Opening days and hours are limited and change; many visitors arrive to find it closed. Security is strict and nothing can be taken in. There is no photography at all. Lighting favours the jewels rather than the labels, and interpretation is thin.

Nearby

The National Museum is south; Golestan Palace lies beyond it.