The hope diamond has left the Smithsonian four times since its donation. In 1962, it was displayed in the Louvre in Paris, as part of the Ten Centuries of French Jewelry. In 1965, it traveled to South Africa where it was displayed at the Rand Easter Show. In 1984, it was lent to Harry Winston Inc. for further study. In 1996, it was returned to the museum and is now known as the Amorphous Diamond.
The Hope diamond has been appraised at $350 million by various gemologists. Despite its value, most geologists believe it to be worth much more than that. In 2009, it was insured for $250 million. The story of its birth is still disputed, however. It has a very sad ending, as the man who bought it killed his wife and child, in a tragic car accident. If you have ever wondered, what is the hope diamond, you are in luck!
What Is Hope Diamond?
Hope diamond is a sapphire-blue gem from India that is one of the world’s largest blue diamonds. It is claimed to have been carved from a 112-carat stone brought to France by jewel trader Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and purchased as part of the French crown jewels by Louis XIV in 1668. This stone, later known as the French Blue, was recut into a 67-carat heart in 1673 and vanished following the 1792 crown-jewel robbery. It is thought to be the source of the 45.5-carat Hope Diamond, named for London financier Thomas Hope, who bought it in 1830. In Washington, D.C., the Hope diamond is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.
History Of Hope Diamond
The hope diamond was first found in India in 1911, embedded in a Hindu idol. A French merchant stole it and had the thief killed by Hindu priests. The thief was then torn apart by wild dogs. In 1715, King Louis XIV of France bought the hope diamond. The King eventually died of gangrene, but his five-year-old great-grandson inherited it.
The Hope diamond was originally purchased from an Indian mine. It was recut into a French Blue. During the French Revolution, the Hope diamond was stolen. It resurfaced in London two years later, where it was recut into the present style. It is named after Henry Philip Hope, a philanthropist who strives to make replicas of the ring. When he first saw the original, he knew the two were looking for a large, important piece of jewelry. Hence, he hoped that the pair would fall for the ring that he had designed for Evalyn.
When the Hope diamond was stolen from the M’Leans, it was given to a French jeweler. He sold it to a new owner, but it remained hidden for over a century, with many different names. The stone was stolen in 1791, and the new owner didn’t know about its history. The Hope Diamond was returned to its owner in 1911, and the story began all over again. Now, it has been on display in the museum for over 150 years.
Why Is It Called The “Hope Diamond”?
By 1839, or possibly earlier, the blue diamond was in the possession of Henry Philip Hope, one of the heirs of the banking firm Hope & Co. Hope was a collector of fine art and gems, and he acquired the large blue diamond that was soon to carry his family’s name.
Since he had never married, Henry Philip Hope left his estate to his three nephews when he died in 1839. The Hope diamond went to the oldest of the nephews, Henry Thomas Hope.
Henry Thomas Hope married and had one daughter; his daughter grew up, married, and had five children. When Henry Thomas Hope died in 1862 at the age of 54, the Hope diamond stayed in the possession of Hope’s widow, and her grandson, the second oldest son, Lord Francis Hope (he took the name Hope in 1887), inherited the Hope as part of his grandmother’s life estate, shared with his siblings.
Because of his gambling and high spending, Francis Hope asked permission from the court in 1898 to sell the Hope diamond—but his siblings opposed its sale and his request was denied. He appealed again in 1899, and again his request was denied. In 1901, on an appeal to the House of Lords, Francis Hope was finally granted permission to sell the diamond.
What Makes Hope Diamond Special?
The Hope Diamond’s history is interesting. Its blue color was attributed to boron impurities. The diamond’s name is a reference to its color. Its clarity is a clear example of its clarity. It has a brilliant luster. A light-colored stone has the highest optical value, but it’s a rare type of diamond. In the end, it’s worth millions of dollars.
The Hope Diamond was sold by Lord Francis Hope to Adolph Weil in 1901. The diamond was later purchased by Harry Winston. In 1908, the stone was given to Harry Winston. Then, the hope was back again. The diamond was sold to a jeweler called Sir James Garner. After three years, the Hope Diamond was donated to the Smithsonian Institute. A bribe from this man can be the key to happiness in your life.
Facts Of Hope Diamond
As one of the most famous diamonds in the world, the Hope Diamond can be seen in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington D.C. With a powerful deep blue color, this diamond contains small amounts of boron that give it its unique color. Widely popular, the Hope Diamond is also known for being cursed. Here are the facts about this well-known gem:
- Weight: Weighing at a whopping 9.1 grams, the diamond contains 45.52 carats—try asking your husband for that for a birthday present.
- Size: It is a pear shape measuring 1-inch x 7/8 inch x 15/32 inches.
- Clarity: The Hope Diamond is determined to be a VS1 with whitish graining.
- Color: It’s most known for its fancy blue color. The Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Trade Lab graded it a fancy deep grayish-blue. To the naked eye, it appears to have almost a grayish tint. It also emits a red glow under strongly colored light. This helps contribute to its reputation for being cursed—perhaps the fire color it emits makes one think it is possessed. In reality, the red glow is a mix of boron and nitrogen within the stone.
- Cut: It is an antique brilliant.
Origin Of Hope Diamond
Though most of the Hope Diamond’s notable history occurred in the past few centuries, its origins reach back over a billion years, when it was formed under immense pressure deep beneath the Earth’s crust. It was then borne to the surface by volcanic activity, where it remained for millions of years.
The diamond first entered human history sometime in the seventeenth century, when it was discovered at a mine in India. The exact location is uncertain, though it was most likely the Kollur mine in Golkonda. At some point after its discovery, it passed into the hands of a traveling French merchant named Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who brought it with him back to Europe.
How Rare Is The Hope Diamond?
However, the deep ocean blue formula is extremely rare, appearing in only one out of every several hundred thousand diamonds. The Hope, unearthed in 17th-century India, is the world’s largest deep blue diamond, weighing 45.52 carats.
There are 16 white diamonds, both pear and cushion cuts, in the pendant that surrounds the Hope Diamond. Mrs. McLean would frequently connect different diamonds to the pendant, including the McLean diamond and the Star of the East. 45 white diamonds make up the necklace chain.
Conclusion
The Hope Diamond was purchased by a London dealer in 1908. It was later sold to a jewelry retailer, Joseph Frankels and Sons. However, the diamond was withheld by the company until it was in desperate need for money. In late 1908, the thief sold the diamond to Simon Maoncharides. He later murdered his wife and child. The “hood” was a blue diamond, and he and his daughter were not allowed to wear it in public.
The Hope Diamond has been in the public eye for many years. It has an outstanding reputation, as it has been stolen from an idol in India. This meant that it was cursed and would bring bad luck to its owner and anyone who touched it. Despite its beauty, it still has a terrible story – the Hope Diamond was sold to a man in hopes of a fortune. A thief could not recover the lost gem, and the thief was forced to die.
