In its original form, it was fixed at 112 carats. Diamonds first appeared in human history when they were discovered in a mine in India in the 17th century. The original thief died a horrendous death while later owners, even though unaware of the curse, went through tragedies and forms of suffering as well. The setting is a circlet of smaller white diamonds on a chain of diamonds. He lost control of his vehicle and drove it off a cliff. After several unsuccessful attempts, he managed to convince her by leaving the diamond in her hand for a week-long enough to take it. Published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. . The French Blue was passed down to Louis XVI, who wore it during the reign of Marie Antoinette, and we all know what occurred after that! The Hope Diamond, which is on loan from the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., is on display. It is also classified as a Type IIb diamond, the rarest natural diamond that has very low levels of nitrogen impurities and phosphorescence, and glows red when exposed to ultraviolet light. The story of the precious stone could be told in a film. Colored diamonds, especially blue ones, have electrical properties that are semi-conducting. The Hope Diamond is an antique blue diamond dating back to the 17th century and hails from the Kollur mine in India. Later, Lord Francis Hope took the name Hope.. She was only a temporary holder of the allegedly cursed gem, and she passed shortly after. B. Tavernier), which may be found in the Library of Congress. It transferred to several other owners in the succeeding years. A Dutch jeweler named Wilhelm Falls was responsible for cutting the 115-carat Hope Diamond down to the 45-carat Blue Hope Diamond that we see in the museum today. After a long and frustrating process, McLean finally bought the diamond in 1911 and kept it for life. But as with many privileged clients, the sale process wasnt as straightforward as it might have been. McLean lost her first son and daughter when they were nine. Diamond Rings: Which Style Suits Your Occasion? Because of its legendary status, the famed diamond has been stolen at least twice throughout its long history. When Sir Francis finally sold it in 1901 to pay off his debts, he was taken on bail. The Hope diamond was awarded to Henry Thomas Hope, the eldest of the Hope nephews. . The gem is slightly lopsided, possibly because the bottom of the teardrop shape was cut away so that the original stolen jewel could not be identified. The Pink Diamond: Pretty, Popular and Pricey? The Hope Diamond, however, is different in that it is not only shrouded in mystery and intrigue, but it also has a complex history that dates back centuries. 7. It is believed that a mob slew her particularly heinouslyshe was decapitated, stripped, and disemboweled, among other things. It was said that the Titanic sunk in 1912 because the Hope Diamond was aboard. In 1911, Washington Post publisher Edward Beale McLean paid $154,000 for the Hope Diamond, then the worlds most expensive gem. When he died in 1884, he left the estate and the Hope Diamond. Disappointed but determined his instincts were right about the McLeans being the perfect clients for the Hope, Pierre moved on to Plan B. The truth is, when I neglect to wear jewels, astute members of my family call in doctors because it is a sign Im becoming ill.. It is said that King George IV acquired it but his debts were so enormous when he died that it was sold. TV Game Show. The Taylor-Burton Diamond, a diamond weighing 68 carats (13.6 g), became . Tavernier described the Hope Diamonds color as a beautiful violet. However, the source of the Hope Diamond remains a mystery, with many claiming that it was stolen from an Indian idol. The Cartiers were relieved: Having large gemstones in stock played havoc with the firms cash flow until they were sold. She was inordinately rich, thanks to her father, who had literally struck gold with one of the largest gold mines in America. Oh, and his house was destroyed by fire. The Hope diamonds history began when it was purchased from Cartier. Diamond Rings: Which Style Suits Your Occasion? Anyway, I've always heard . The Hope Diamond is one of the most iconic items in the Smithsonian's collections, but this glittering gem is rumored to have a dark side. King . It has been in the Smithsonian since 1941, and it is still on display. Jewish high priests utilized diamonds to determine guilt or innocence. One of the world's most famous diamonds has a Colorado connection. According to legend, there are rumors that she even wore the diamond on her dog's collar. At one stage, she tried sending the Hope back to Cartier. It was later acquired by King George IV of England, who had it reset in a more elaborate setting. Legend has it that in India the Hope Diamond was originally found embedded in an idol. The diamond achieved notoriety as a result of the celebrity of its owners. The womans husband abandoned her for another woman, and she was later committed to a mental institution. The diamond went to Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in 1968, selling at auction for a price of $307,000.00. It is not, as museumgoers sometimes assume, the largest diamond in the world. Evalyn had previously crossed paths with the Cartiers in 1908 when she was on her honeymoon in Paris. However, in 2009 they insured it for $250 million. A part of the diamond bearing the Hope name first appeared in an 1839 gem catalog belonging to the Hope banking family, and the main section of the diamond was stolen in 1791 and recut. Eventually, it was owned by jeweler Pierre Cartier who had the blue diamond reset into a contemporary design with the circle of 16 white diamonds attached to a diamond necklace. They noted that the gem showed signs of wear, very high levels of phosphorescence, and a slight loss of clarity due to the whitish sand commonly found in blue diamonds. Amora Gem vs Diamond: An Even Rarer Option than the Diamond. Not even a decade later, Winston mailed the diamond to the Smithsonian for $2.44 in postage and insured for $155.00! An exact reproduction of the specimen is currently on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, in the National Gem and Mineral collection. The Hope diamond eventually passed to Francis Pelham Clinton. Evalyn Walsh McLean has been characterized as an eccentric heiress, a socialite who used her inheritance from mining to purchase, among other things, the Hope Diamond and a 1912 Delaunay Belleville Type IA6 Park Phaeton, which will be offered for bidding October 16 at H&H . On the day she had arranged to reclaim it, she took the train from Washington to New York and turned up at William Simpsons pawnshop entirely alone. A gruesome death was foretold to all who possessed it and anyone that dared touch it. He left his wealth to his three nephews when he died in 1839 because he had never married. When McLean's impressive collection of jewellery was put up for sale after her (peaceful) demise in 1947, the Hope Diamond was acquired by Harry Winston. After going through numerous owners, it was sold to Washington socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean who was often seen wearing it. WILHELM FALS. She brought it to a church for a blessing, although she didnt believe in curses. What Gemstones are Associated with Bad Luck? we have decided to be more strict. After all, who wasnt secretly fascinated by the exploits of the opulent and profligate McLeans? The Hope Diamond, briefly owned by Pierre Cartier Afterwards, it was the turn of the new owner, the American broker Frankel, to go bankrupt. King Louis XIV of France, who was the first person to purchase the diamond, is among the most well-known people who have had it. He found the perfect target in Evalyn Walsh McLean, a billionaire heiress who is actually a gold miner. After all the legal fees, the firm ended up taking a loss. The Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Institution. Zell & Sons Fine Jewelry in New York, New York the value of the gem is $350 million. The first owner of the diamond was Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French gem merchant who reported the possession of an "incredible blue diamond" and named it "Tavernier blue." Tavernier didn't mention how and where he acquired the stone. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Her poor fortune began when her mother-in-law passed away, and her son died when he was nine years old. It is blue in color due to trace amounts of boron. What they determined was that the phosphorescence in each gem studied could appear pink, aqua, red or orange. The board meeting minutes noted, Upon examining our legal expenses . The most obvious source of a diamonds value is beauty. This King Louis reigned for 72 years & once owned the Hope Diamond. The Story of the Hope Diamond Which Ruined Its Owners' Lives Shortly after King Louis XIV died, the French Blue Diamond was transferred to Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette. Shortly afterward, James Todd, the postmaster who carried the diamond to the Smithsonian, was reportedly involved in a car accident, losing his leg. How big was Elizabeth Taylor's Hope Diamond? The strange phenomenon simply adds to its mystery. At 45.52 carats, the Hope diamond is a heart-stopping, blue-tinged sparkler extracted from the Kollur Mine in India in the 17th century. Often described as the most famous diamond in the world, the Hope Diamond has lived in numerous continents with various owners but now resides in the Natural History Museum in Washington D.C. and is owned by the Smithsonian Institute. For many years, no one knew where the diamond had disappeared to. Estimated to be 250 million if you don't mind the curse, and they'd consider s. Point of No Return: The bill for the Hope Diamond, which Cartier sold to the McLeans for $180,000 in 1912. Daniel Eliason owned a 44-carat blue diamond that first appeared in London in 1813. He had to sell it to Solomon Habib for the modest sum of 400,000 dollars in 1908. Evalyn Walsh McLean was a wealthy heiress who, in 1912, purchased the Hope Diamond from Pierre Cartier for a sum of money. Diamond Buying: A Daunting Process Made Simple. In 1908, at the age of twenty-two, Evalyn married nineteen-year-old Ned McLean of the well-known Washington Post family. Jean Baptiste Tavernier sold the stone to King Louis XIV in 1668, and he named it the Tavernier Blue. The Hope family was a member of England's nobility who lost their fortune after acquiring the bauble. It was acquired by Henry Philip Hope in 1830. Following the death of Henry Philip Hope in 1839, and after much litigation, the diamond passed to his nephew Henry Thomas Hope and ultimately to the nephew . The exact location is unknown, but it is most likely the Kolur Mine in Golconda. The Hope Diamond is a 45.52-carat 9.104 g diamond discovered in the 17th century at the Kollur Mine in Guntur, India, and was first extracted there. Was the Hope Diamond ever found? They describe the color as a chic dark grey-blue. Because it was stolen from an Indian idol, it is said to be cursed. Two years later, when Evalyn and Ned were back in the French capital, Pierre made an appointment to meet them in their hotel. A very wealthy and magnificent ruler, Louis refined diamonds to make them one of the crown jewels. The Hope Diamond was originally owned by King Louis XIV of France and was set in the crown of the Order of the Golden Fleece. An Examination by another gemologist on the same day, using a high sensitivity colorimeter, showed that the deep blue had a very bright violet component, invisible to the naked eye. The weight of the Hope Diamond for many years was reported to be 44.5 carats. He sought permission to sell the diamond to pay off debts. The Hope Diamond was originally owned by Peter the Great. This collection also included the 94.8-carat Star of the East diamond, the 15-carat Star of the South diamond, a 9-carat green diamond, and a 31-carat diamond which is now called the McLean diamond. In 1812, the Hope Diamond resurfaced in the hands of London diamond merchant Daniel Eliason but only weighed 45.52 carats. The Hope diamond has attracted peoples interest, whether they believe in curses. The hope diamond was mined originally from the Kollur Mine in Gunter, India, in the 17th century and is known as one of the Golconda diamonds. The Hope Diamond is one of the most well-known and valuable diamonds globally, and it is also one of the most expensive. Its beauty made it something he felt. The Inside Story on Diamond Appraisals and Tolerance. It is in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, at the top of the jewelry collection. King George IV of England owned the Hope Diamond next and died completely destitute. All rights reserved. Our mission is to spread accurate information about the diamond industry, diamond marketing and related businesses through a combination of our website, newsletters and social media platforms. In 3000 BC, the Egyptian hierarchy wore diamonds to represent the sun, courage, truth, and as a symbol of power. The misfortune attributed. The existence of bridgmanite means that the Hope Diamond formed in the region called the lower mantle, which is a fluid zone that starts from 410 miles below the Earth's surface and extends to the liquid outer core. For older Jeopardy Questions and Answers we recommend you to visit our archive page. The Hope Diamond is classified as a type IIb fancy dark grayish-blue stone that contains a strong phosphorescence of reddish-orange. Rock Star: Glamorous socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean wearing the Hope Diamond. Evalyn's surviving children sold the diamond to jeweler Harry Winston. Read the following passage, and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions. Sometimes jewels carry a story with them that impacts all their owners. Financially speaking, the sale of the Hope wasnt a positive for Cartier. Through this single transaction, Cartier became a household name in New York. The objective was to identify the similarities and differences between the gems which included the Hope and Blue Heart diamonds among others. Her daughters death as a result of a drug overdose resulted in Evalyn being forced to sell her newspaper, The Washington Post. After the diamond was cut, he met with unfortunate circumstances when his son allegedly stole the diamond, murdered his father, and committed suicide. The diamond was passed on through generations of the Hope family before it found its way to Pierre Cartier, the founder of Cartier jewelry, in 1909. Sell Your Ring. It is a recut diamond from the original Bleu de France.. They make me feel comfortable, and even happy. They were well aware that an American heiress would relish the idea of parading a unique jewel from the chic French capital in front of her peers back home. Plato once wrote that diamonds embodied the celestial spirits of living beings. Her surviving children sold the diamond to famed jeweler Harry Winston. She later died. After Hope's death, the diamond passed through the hands of several owners. Hang in there, Men You will soon be . The Hope Diamond was originally unearthed in the mines of Southwest India along the Kistna River. Gordon Beall The sellers were Dani and the late Mirella Levinas the former is chair emeritus of The Phillips Collection. Powered by The Diamond Authority. The diamond is reminiscent of the cursed Koh-i-Noor diamond, and it is an interesting piece of jewelry in and of itself. This book is the result of years of the authors independent research into her family and the business they founded. The blessing took place in the church of Russel Monseigneur. Evalyns purchase of the gem serves as a testament to her status as a wealthy woman. Click on the conversation bubble to join the conversation. It was said that the Titanic sunk in 1912 because the Hope Diamond was aboard. The Hope Diamond has left the Smithsonian only four times since it was donated. The Hope Diamond, which was not on the Titanic, sank in 1912. For many The diamond was also owned by two Russian princesses . Legend has it that the diamond once lay in the statue of the goddess Sita, wife of Rama, the 7th Avatar of Vishnu, serving as her eye. The Hope Diamond has a long and storied history, having once been owned by King Louis XIV of France, who had it cut into a triangular shape and set it in a ceremonial pendant. The young couple, it was widely reported, had far more money than sense. It was originally mined in Gaborone in the early 1800s, and was given to the United States as a gift in 1857. In the Hope Diamond, the impurity is boron, which gives it its unique color. This was where Cartier, with its multiple branches and increasingly impressive global client list, started to come into its own. It was later acquired by King George IV of England, who had it reset in a more elaborate setting. A graduate of Oxford University, she is a sought-after international lecturer on Cartiers illustrious history and has given talks for major auction houses, museums, and societies. Evalyn held on to the diamond for the rest of her life, and though she never believed in the curse, she suffered a fair amount of bad luck over the years. The Hope Diamond in the National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C., 2014 However, May Yohe, the ex-wife of Thomas Hope, warned her against buying the Hope diamond. France was undergoing a period of political upheaval at the time of Louis XVIs execution, and nine months later, his wife was executed as well. In 1974, it was removed from its setting and found actually to weigh 45.52 carats. In ancient times, the breast plates of Kings were studded with diamonds because it was believed they had magical superpowers. Her husband, Ned, ran off with another woman and later died in a mental institution; their family paper, The Washington Post, went bankrupt; her son was killed in a car accident; and her daughter died of a drug overdose. The weight of the Hope Diamond for many years was reported to be 44.5 carats. Who has owned the Hope Diamond? In legend, a diamond was cursed when plucked from the idol a curse that would befall the owner, as well as anyone who touched or touched it. In the early 1900's, the Hope Diamond was owned by several jewelry enthusiasts and jewelers until it made its way to the United States. I would often stand in front of weary and pressed Ranger students after a few weeks of excruciating training. No bodyguard for her, in fact not even a bag: She stuffed the diamond, along with a few other precious stones she was picking up, into her dress and set off uptown to meet some friends. It has a fascinating history that includes being owned by King Louis XIV, being stolen during the French Revolution, being sold to make money for gambling, being worn to raise money for charity, and ultimately being presented to the Smithsonian Institution where it now rests. Many might have taken this as a sign to back away, but not Evalyn. Pierre and his brothers, Jacques and Louis, could be hot on the buying scene in Paris, where so many of the best gemstones came to market, while simultaneously discreetly spreading the word of their new purchase overseas. The Hope Diamond is a 45.52 carat blue diamond with a cut of emerald. [Its uplifting name is derived from the London banking family that owned the gem in the 1830s.]. Our mission is to spread accurate information about the diamond industry, diamond marketing and related businesses through a combination of our website, newsletters and social media platforms. The gemstone had changed hands several times in the preceding few months. The Hope Diamonds curse, according to some, was the cause of their death. This ManMan served for King Louis XIV and is claimed to have donned the diamond on one of his royal engagements. Best diamond industry news since 2004. Wilhelm Fals was a Dutch jeweler who recut the diamond again. This Louis was beheaded along with his wife Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution. The Hope Diamond has a long and storied history, having once been owned by King Louis XIV of France, who had it cut into a triangular shape and set it in a ceremonial pendant. In 1792 King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were beheaded during the French Revolution. As ever more prestigious clients rolled into his New York boutique at the turn of the 20th Century, Pierre Cartier [grandson of Louis-Francois Cartier, founder of the eponymous jewelry brand] was insistent that the firm remain true to its original aim: We must never lose our current reputation; in other words, we must sell only large jewels.. Gem Fatale: The notorious Hope Diamond on display at the Smithsonian, where it has resided since 1958. Propose with JTV Diamond Engagement Rings, Jewelers Mutual Insurance for Diamond Rings and Engagement Rings. . The gemstone, which is now called the Hope Diamond, was formed deep within the Earth more than 1 billion years ago! The diamond was purchased by Harry Winston, a New York gem merchant, in 1949 and traveled the world for several years until being donated to the National Museum of Natural History in the United States in 1958, where it is now on permanent display. In 2011, the companys market value would be between $250 million and $350 million. The Hope Diamond has the reputation of being a cursed diamond, since some of its successive owners have known a troubled, even tragic end. November 26, 2022 ~ Kate Cherrell. It was ripped out of the idol by a French merchant and the Hindu priests became so angry they cursed it. McLean owned the Hope Diamond until 1947. It was also purchased by Evalyn Walsh McLean, a Washington socialite. Natural diamonds contain defects or impurities. In future, we will have to think very carefully before taking legal advice. However, reports of a curse continued, and he was eventually compelled to sell the diamond to pay off his debts. The crown stolen in 1792. Its allure is heightened by its exciting history, which includes being owned by King Louis XIV, being stolen during the French Revolution, being sold to raise money for gambling, being worn to raise money for charity, and finally being donated to the Smithsonian Institution, where it currently resides. In 1901, Simon Frankel, an American diamond merchant, purchased the Hope diamond and shipped it to the United States. As he had discovered in America, the fame and size of ones diamond was everything. It became immediately apparent that all the diamonds studied had phosphorescent bands that centered between 500 and 660nm wavelengths. "A tiny fragment of midnight sky, fallen to earth and still aglow with star gleam.". The Hope Diamond and others in the Aurora Collection underwent intense scrutiny by the Naval Research Laboratorys Chemistry Division in 2005 in collaboration with NOVA Research. Rosenov. Several weeks after the agreed contract had been signed and the McLeans had taken possession of the gemstone, Pierre hadnt yet received a cent in payment. In 1901, he eventually got approval from the House of Lords. The Hope Diamond serves as a symbol of hope and optimism, as it reminds us of the United States history and culture. He even had a client in mind who he suspected would be enticed by it. According to legend, the curse began with the Tavernier Blue, the forerunner to other huge diamonds, including the Hope Diamond, which was discovered later. The current owner, Evalyn Walsh McLean, believes that the Hope Diamonds bad luck has been a blessing in his life. The Pink Diamond: Pretty, Popular and Pricey? Amora Gem vs Diamond: An Even Rarer Option than the Diamond. According to S.H. Frankel, for example, hadnt been able to find a buyer for seven years, after which time his finances were in such a dire strait that he was forced to sell it at a distressed price. So how big is the Hope Diamond? For hours, that jewel stared at me, and at some time during the night I began to really want the thing. Pierre retraced the gemstones famous history for his captive audience, from its prominent place among the French crown jewels for more than a century, to a London lord and a Turkish sultan, and now all the way to their very hotel room in Paris. Pierre refused to stand for it and the necklace was returned to its owner along with a repeat demand for payment. The standard answer for the Hope Diamond value is of course that no value can be put on it, it is priceless. Unfortunately, they also discovered that swallowing powdered diamonds resulted in death. The diamond is on display at the National Gem and Mineral Collection in Washington, D.C. Evalyn paid Cartier more than $8 million for the D-color diamond, which is the most expensive diamond ever purchased. It was most recently owned by Dani and Mirella Levinas. Please find below the This King Louis reigned for 72 years & once owned the Hope Diamond answer and solution. The story of its discovery has been a fascinating one. Exquisite. The color is blue yes but grayed out somewhat. Get Forbes' daily top headlines straight to your inboxfor news on the world's most important entrepreneurs and superstars, expert career advice, and success secrets. Francesca Cartier Brickell is a direct descendant of the Cartier family. The jeweler donated the 45.2-carat diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958, shipping it to the institution via the United States Postal Service for only $2.44 in postage and $155 in insurance. Answer (1 of 2): Harry Winston bought the Hope diamond, rumored to be cursed, and it's in the Smithsonian in Washington DC. Until Evelyn McLeans children die. Take this with a grain of salt, because it's never been proved: Jean-Baptiste Tavernier stole the 115.16-carat blue diamond from a Hindu statue, where it was serving as one of the eyes. From Simon Frankel, a diamond dealer in New York, it had passed to a collector in Turkey (reportedly on behalf of Sultan Hamid of the Ottoman Empire before he was deposed), and then on to the French dealer Rosenau, from whom Cartier acquired it for 500,000 francs (around $2.2 million today). AMNH, New York City. Joseph McLean Gregory is the great-grandson of Evalyn Walsh McLean. The Hope Diamond later became a symbol of royalty and was used by King Louis XIV of France in his Order of the Golden Fleece pendant. It has been owned by wealthy merchants and some of the most well-known individuals within the jewelry world, including Pierre Cartier and Harry Winston. It was taken back from France after the end of the French-Indian War in 1763. Since then, the Hope diamond has become a centerpiece of the museums collection and is the second most popular art piece in the world after the Mona Lisa. The project was supported by Barbara Barrett, a board member and husband of Craig Barrett. The Hope Diamond is a 45-carat blue diamond with a sheen of gold on the outside and shine on the inside. If the diamond caused any sort of trouble for him, he kept it well under wraps. A Dutch jeweler named Wilhelm Falls was responsible for cutting the 115-carat Hope Diamond down to the 45-carat Blue Hope Diamond that we see in the museum today. She was spooked by the warning. And for a brief moment during the Depression, she was forced to pawn the Hope Diamond for $37,500 in a last-minute attempt to prevent a house foreclosure. The Hope Diamond. The Hope Diamond cost $250 million to construct. After taking the diamond, Tavernier is supposed to have developed a severe fever and passed tragically shortly after the incident. The Hope Diamond has been in the possession of the Smithsonian Institute since it was gifted by Harry Winston. Natural blue diamonds are very rare and most of them are not as strong and large as hop diamonds. The Smithsonian Museum is the current owner. We will avoid it as much as possible. And yet there was no question in Pierres mind that it had been worth it. Stolen in 1791, it was recut, with the largest section acquiring its "Hope" name when it appeared in the catalogue of a gem collection owned by a London banking family called Hope in 1839. In 1949, Evalyns surviving children sold the diamond to a well-known jeweler for money. Even so, the Star of the East, which is said to be the largest diamond ever cut in Russia, is still worth a lot of money. In the following months, he fell out of favor with the King of France and was expelled from the country. The Cartiers may have shied away from taking out advertisements in the early years (Louis particularly felt they were beneath a great jewelry maison favored by royalty), but they were more than happy to have their name spread by the press alongside pictures or social updates of their famous clients. When McLean died in 1949, the wealthy American jeweler Harry Winston bought the diamonds. Often little is known about their history. The Hope Diamonds history is a complex one. Tavernier sold the diamond to King Louis XIV, who had it recut to 69 carats in 1673. After her death, Harry Winston acquired it as part of The Court of Jewels tour. The Pink Diamond: Pretty, Popular and Pricey? It then formed under tremendous pressure from deep within the earths crust. "OK, Men you are starting to look different. The Hope Diamond has been owned by the Smithsonian since it was given as a gift by Harry Winston. All rights reserved, A Bird In The Hand: Diagnosing Emotional Problems In Diamond Doves, Where Can I Buy Goods Diamonds At An Affordable Portrait, Selling A Diamond Earring: What You Need To Know, How To Choose The Right Setting For Your Loose Diamonds. The diamond reached the jeweller Pierre Cartier, grandson of Louis-Franois. Despite the curse, many women have worn the diamond, which has never been stolen or sold. Despite this, the diamond has been worn by many different women over the years and is currently owned by the United States government. During the French Revolution, the diamond was taken and recut to its current shape. Who owned the Hope Diamond? Fouquet was imprisoned in the stronghold of Pignerol for 15 years until the monarch commuted his sentence to life imprisonment. His manner was exquisitely mysterious, Evalyn remembered, as he placed an intriguing-looking package sealed with wax seals before them. The Hope Diamond toured the court of jewels, raising funds for local good causes. Evalyn Walsh McLean was a wealthy heiress who, in 1912, purchased the Hope Diamond from Pierre Cartier for a sum of money. In 1947, the diamond was sold to Harry Winston, who hoped to share it with the public. She used the Hope diamond as a ring and later a necklace. The diamond was taken and recut to its current shape during the French Revolution. The diamond was awaiting its blessing on a velvet cushion, when seemingly on cue, lightning flashed and thunder shook the building. After lingering too long over lunch, she rushed to catch her train, running through the station so fast I thought I would be shaking the stones out of my bosom at every step. A far cry from the high security of the Smithsonian Institution, where the Hope sits safely on a turntable within a glass cabinet today, attracting more than seven million visitors a year and currently estimated to be worth around $350 million. The Hope diamond is as famous for its exceptional size and color as it is for its scandalous 350-year history, which reads like a thriller. What famous diamond did Elizabeth Taylor own? Shortly thereafter the merchant died a wicked death. He shipped the gemstone to America and changed the setting to an oval frame of smaller diamonds that enhanced the large blue Hope in the center. The price was $180,000 (about $5 million today), of which the first installment was to be $40,000. In 1912, it cost $180,000. The last one to own it personally was Evalyn Walsh McLean, a socialite from Washington D.C. She had the diamond put into a necklace, alongside 45 white diamonds, which exist to this day. After the court jeweler cut it down to 67 carats it was named the Blue Diamond of the Crown. During the French Revolution in 1792, it was stolen from the royal family after King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were beheaded. Her head was impaled on a spear and carried to the prison window where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. Best Man Made Diamonds You Can Buy: Asha and Sona Diamond Rings. Historically, diamonds had myths surrounding them both good and bad as far back in history as 3500 BC when they were first discovered. TheDiamondAuthority.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. TheDiamondAuthority.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The Hope Diamond, also known as the Kings Jewel, the French Blue, and the Tavernier Blue, is a big deep-blue diamond that weighs 45.52 carats (9.104 g) and is set in a pendant by the French jeweler Toison d. When the diamonds were bought in Tavernier in 1668, the first person to purchase them was King Louis XIV of France. It has a blue tint due to trace levels of boron present in it. Understanding from their previous purchases that the jewelry they sought out was large and significant, he was hopeful they would fall on the Hope Diamond like hungry wolves. In 1839, the Hope Diamond was purchased by Henry Philip Hope, after which it got its name. The deep sapphire blue Hope Diamond, also known as the "Tavernier Blue," "Le Bijou du Roi" (the King's Jewel), or "Le bleu de France" ("the Blue of France"), is an enormous 45.52 carats.This diamond, described in the 1900s as a "good sized horse chestnut,"[1] but shaped like a pear, was supposedly discovered in India in the seventeenth century. The Hope Diamond is a 45.52-carat blue diamond that is now on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Youve probably heard the story. Shortly after King Louis XIV died, the French Blue Diamond was transferred to Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette. Evalyn Walsh McLean, an American socialite and diamond collector, owns the Hope Diamond, which is smaller and better suited for a Great Dane. This is one of the most well-known jewelry pieces globally, and for a good reason. Tavernier sold the stone to King Louis XIV of France in 1668 after having it cut and christened the French Blue (Le bleu de France). The Hope Diamonds history is not well-documented. Our mission is to spread accurate information about the diamond industry, diamond marketing and related businesses through a combination of our website, newsletters and social media platforms. Frankel sold it to a Turkish diamond collector in 1908 but the next year, it was sold at auction in Paris. For the next six years, the Hope Diamond will be kept in the safe of Joseph Frankel and Sons. It is no use to anyone to chide me for loving jewels. How to Select a 2k Diamond Engagement Ring? The Hope Diamond has a fascinating and macabre history, but there are few places in the world that are as fascinating as this gem. The Inside Story on Diamond Appraisals and Tolerance. A cut-down piece of the French Blue resurfaced in London two decades later, and the financier Henry Philip Hope bought it in 1839 (the diamond is now known by the family's name). 2022 Coronet Diamonds. The next time it was mentioned in texts was when it was stolen by a French merchant who then sold it to King Louis XIV in 1642 at a substantial profit. Add to that the idea of a mysterious curse, and the gossip columns had struck gold. Answer (1 of 5): The Smithsonian in D.C. since the late 50's. As a gemologist for nearly 40 years (and I've seen it at it's present home in the National Museum of Natural History), I never found it to be all that beautiful. For the scientific community, the Hope diamond has facilitated a rare study of the formation of diamonds, thanks to its enormous size. Diamond Rings: Which Style Suits Your Occasion? Unlike its previous history, the Smithsonian has always viewed the stone as a sign of good luck. Copyright 2019 by Francesca Cartier Brickell. It is said that it was because of the diamonds curse. They hosted elaborate garden parties and insisted that their guests look for Hope, which they did with many difficulties. Since its discovery in the Kollur mine in seventeenth-century India by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French gem merchant, many of those who had owned or even been close to the stone were said to have suffered terrible fates. Whether it was because the young couple werent keen on the setting, or they had misgivings about the curse, or they had simply run out of that kind of spending money by the end of their trip that year, Evalyn and Ned left empty-handed. Evalyns first purchase from Cartier was a $120,000 white diamond. The Hope diamond was discovered in London around 1839. Surprisingly, however, the original 112 3/16 carat stone purchased from Tavernier was called un beau violet (beautiful violet). The stone is known as one of the Golconda diamonds. Tragedies of the Hope Diamond Curse. The trustees of her estate sold the Hope Diamond to Harry Winston, who eventually donated it to the Smithsonian. If you were to believe the stories, the horrific endings linked to it included being torn apart by wild dogs in Constantinople, being shot onstage and, in the case of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI (who had enjoyed the diamond as part of the French crown jewels), famously being beheaded during the French Revolution. The Hope Diamond is a large and rare gemstone believed to have come from India around 1666. McLean was fascinated by diamonds and other jewelry, and Cartier tried to sell him the Hope diamonds. A separate collision resulted in his suffering a concussion. Then, in 2009, Dr. Francois Farges found a long-lost lead cast of the stone. As well known as the diamond is, the curse that follows it through history may be even more famous and has inspired countless books. Shortly after its discovery, it fell into the hands of an itinerant French merchant named Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who brought it to Europe. Still, according to experts, its also important as a rare scientific specimen that can provide critical insights into our understanding of diamonds and how they are generated on the earth. People often wonder about the value of the Hope Diamond. Then I put the chain around my neck and hooked my life to its destiny for good or evil.. This deep-blue diamond weighs 45.52 carats and is worth over USD 350 million. His entire reign was plagued by misfortune, rebellions, and unsuccessful wars. In 1715 King Louis XIV of France bought the Hope Diamond and died of gangrene. Knowing his clients weakness for gems, Pierre proposed that she hold on to the necklace for a few days, suspecting that once she had it in her possession, it would be almost impossible for her to return it. The two met at the church of Russel Monseigneur, where lightning rained on the church building. It didnt have a history when it was eventually sold to Louis XIV, but it was definitely worth it, attracting men who wanted to be one. Best Man Made Diamonds You Can Buy: Asha and Sona Diamond Rings. A momentous occasion is claimed to have been marked by the wearing of the diamond by Nicholas Fouquet, a courtier who worked for King Louis XIV. Francis Hope was granted permission to sell the diamond in 1901. In ancient India, Hindus wore diamonds as a symbol of invincibility and clarity. 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