And Yet You Shine

And Yet You Shine tells the story of the Kohinoor diamond, one of the most famous gems in the world, taken from South Asia during colonial rule and now part of the British crown jewels in London. Once owned by a young South Asian monarch who was pressured into giving it up at just ten years old, the diamond passed through centuries of colonial conflict before being placed in the hands of British royalty.

Later cut to nearly half its size to fit British beauty standards and now displayed in the Tower of London as part of the crown jewels, the diamond stands as a symbol of colonization. Through poetic storytelling and artwork inspired by Indian textiles, the book explores the history behind the gem while encouraging readers to question the origins of museum artifacts, reflect on how history is told, and consider how acknowledging past injustices can help build a more just future.