Regardless of its purported mystical properties, the Hope Diamond is remarkable for its size. Weighing 45.52 carats post several cuts, it originally weighed 112 carats. This makes it substantial, especially for a deep blue diamond—a rarity since such diamonds are usually found in smaller carats. The public was astonished and mesmerized by the discovery of a blue diamond the size of a man’s fist.
Who Found the Hope Diamond?
This brilliantly blue and clear diamond has a mysterious history. It is believed to have been found in India, specifically in the Kollur mine in Golkonda, during the seventeenth century. However, its exact location remains uncertain. This discovery occurred during a peak period in the diamond industry in that region, with the Kollur mine being highly active.
Eventually, the massive gem came into the possession of a French merchant named Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who transported it to Europe from India, where it became known as the Tavernier Blue.
The History of the Hope Diamond
The first significant cut of the diamond occurred in 1168 when King Louis XIV of France purchased it and included it among his crown jewels. From there, it passed through his descendants until it reached Louis XV and his wife, Marie Antoinette. With the onset of the French Revolution, the royal treasures were plundered, and the Hope Diamond was lost, solidifying its cursed reputation.
Indeed, it was rumored that Tavernier, the merchant who introduced the diamond to Europe, met a gruesome end, allegedly being “torn to pieces by wild dogs in Constantinople.”
In 1812, the elusive blue stone resurfaced with Daniel Eliason, a London diamond merchant, who sold it to Britain’s King George IV. The financially reckless king likely had to sell it off to settle his debts posthumously.
Later, Henry Philip Hope acquired the diamond, giving it its current name. Following his death, his son Henry Thomas and eventually his grandson Lord Francis Hope inherited the gem. In 1901, Lord Francis Hope, burdened by debt, was compelled to sell the diamond. It passed through various gem merchants, each facing misfortune, until it finally reached Pierre Cartier of the renowned Cartier Jewelers.
Is the Hope Diamond Cursed?
The diamond’s curse is said to have impacted many, not just those who purchased it but anyone who even touched it. Stories of wild dog attacks and revolution beheadings pale compared to the other tragic events linked to the diamond.
Cartier, who sold the diamond to billionaire Evalyn Walsh McLean, enticed her with tales of how Tavernier supposedly stole the blue gem from the Hindu goddess Sita’s statue. He also shared legends about Nicholas Fouquet’s beheading with Louis XV and Marie Antoinette, Princess de Lamballe’s brutal death by a mob, and how the stone led to Sultan Abdul Hamid of Turkey’s downfall and a tragic fate for a Russian actress who was shot while wearing it.
Evalyn Walsh McLean, initially skeptical, insisted the diamond be blessed by the church before finalizing the purchase, especially after a public cautionary tale by Thomas Hope’s ex-wife, May Yohe. In the church, as the diamond lay on a velvet cushion awaiting the blessing, a lightning bolt struck and thunder roared, which McLean took as a sign of good luck despite subsequent personal tragedies.
Where is the Hope Diamond Now?
Upon McLean’s death in 1947, her significantly indebted estate auctioned her jewels, including the Hope Diamond. Harry Winston acquired the stone in 1949 and displayed it for a decade before donating it to the Smithsonian Institution in November 1958.
Today, the Hope Diamond resides in the Harry Winston Room in the Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals of the Smithsonian Institution’s Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. Valued at $250 million, it is displayed surrounded by sixteen white diamonds on a chain of forty-five diamonds.
Even its transportation to the museum was dramatic. The postman responsible for the delivery suffered several misfortunes, including two auto accidents, a shattered leg, loss of his wife and dog, and a house fire.
FAQs
When did people first start believing that the Hope Diamond was cursed?
The legend of the Hope Diamond’s curse began with Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who reportedly faced a gruesome death after “stealing” the diamond from a Hindu statue. Subsequent owners encountered various misfortunes, further fuelling the curse’s legend.
Can the general public view the Hope Diamond?
Yes, the Hope Diamond is available for public viewing in the Harry Winston Room in the Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals of the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
What’s special about the Hope Diamond?
The Hope Diamond’s deep blue color and extraordinary size, at 45.52 carats even after multiple recuts, make it uniquely special.
Who owns the Hope Diamond, and how much is it worth?
The Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., currently owns the Hope Diamond, with an estimated value of $250 million.
