The Hope Diamond is well probably the most recognizable diamonds at the moment. Though it was found within the seventeenth century, this diamond nonetheless doesn’t stop to impress. In addition to the distinctive shade, reduce, and dimension, the Hope diamond has a wealthy historical past, and lots of consider it’s cursed.
This text introduces you to the Hope Diamond and discusses its historical past, traits, and value.
Historical past of the Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond is greater than a billion years outdated; scientists estimate it was shaped beneath immense stress greater than 100 miles beneath the Earth’s floor. This valuable stone made its manner nearer to the floor because of a volcanic eruption that occurred greater than a billion years in the past.
In comparison with its geologic historical past, the Hope Diamond has a brief historical past as an object of admiration and human need. The earliest data present this spectacular diamond was found in India someday earlier than 1668. Sadly, no dependable information signifies the precise time when the diamond was mined. The primary proprietor of the diamond was Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French gem service provider who reported the possession of an “unbelievable blue diamond” and named it “Tavernier blue.” Tavernier didn’t point out how and the place he acquired the stone. The diamond weighed 110.5 carats.
All through the years, the Hope Diamond was recut a number of instances and altered many house owners. Some homeowners had been King Louis XIV of France, George IV, Henry Thomas Hope, Henry Philip Hope, and Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
How A lot Is the Hope Diamond Price?
Immediately, the Hope Diamond weighs 45.52 carats and is the world’s largest blue diamond. Though its dimension was considerably decreased through the years, the Hope Diamond stays probably the most beneficial diamonds on the earth.
Consultants estimate this beautiful stone is price round a whopping $350 million. This makes it the third costliest diamond on the earth, proper after Koh-i-Noor and Cullinan. Koh-i-Noor has a priceless worth, whereas Cullinan’s price is estimated at round $400 million. Since each these diamonds are white, the Hope is taken into account the costliest blue diamond.
Carat weight | 45.52 |
Readability | VS1 |
Minimize | Cushion vintage good |
Colour | Fancy darkish greyish-blue, darkish blue, steely-blue |
Price | Round $350 million |
The place Is the Hope Diamond Now?

As talked about, the Hope Diamond has modified quite a few homeowners because it was found. Immediately, this diamond resides within the Smithsonian Institute. Harry Winston, a well-known American jeweler and the earlier proprietor of the diamond, donated it to the institute in 1958. The diamond is displayed within the Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of Pure Historical past in Washington D.C, on the head of the museum’s gem assortment.
Prior to now, the diamond was displayed on the finish of the exhibition, and guests rushed to get to it. Consequently, they didn’t take note of the remainder of the spectacular assortment. After they observed this, the workers determined to maneuver it to the entrance. Instantly seeing the well-known diamond intrigues the guests and makes them marvel about the remainder of the gathering, encouraging additional exploration.
The Hope Diamond has an honorary spot within the gem assortment. It’s on a rotating column that enables the viewers to see the diamond from each angle and luxuriate in its beautiful sparkle.
The 4 Occasions the Diamond Has Left the Museum
Since 1958, the diamond has left the Smithsonian Institute solely 4 instances. It traveled to France, South Africa, and New York Metropolis.
The primary time was in 1962 when the Hope Diamond traveled to France when it was on mortgage to the Louvre Museum for the exhibition “Ten Centuries of French Jewels.” The Hope Diamond was a “visitor” on the Louvre Museum for an entire month. In return, Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” traveled to the U.S. and was displayed within the Nationwide Gallery of Artwork in Washington, D.C., for nearly a month.
In 1965, the Hope Diamond went to Johannesburg, South Africa. It was loaned to DeBeers and displayed on the Rand Easter Present, one of many world’s hottest annual client exhibitions.
The third time the Hope Diamond left the Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of Pure Historical past was in 1984 when it traveled to New York. Harry Winston, Inc. celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and wished to show the diamond.
Twelve years later, the diamond visited Harry Winston, Inc. in New York as soon as once more. In contrast to the final time, the diamond wasn’t a part of a show; it was despatched for minor restoration and cleansing.
Does the Hope Diamond Have a Curse?
There are quite a few tales and legends in regards to the Hope Diamond being cursed. It’s believed that the diamond brings tragedy and misfortune to the one that owns or wears it. Within the early twentieth century, a number of newspapers unfold the “curse” story, together with the New York Occasions and the Washington Publish.
Listed below are a couple of tales which “show” that possessing the Hope diamond leads to a sequence of tragedies.
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
In response to some sources, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier stole the Hope Diamond in India. Quickly after stealing it, he got here down with a fever and died, and wolves ravaged his physique. Nevertheless, based on different sources, Tavernier died in 1689, when he was 84 years outdated.
King Louis XIV
King Louis XIV purchased the diamond from Tavernier and had it recut. Since he died of gangrene and all his youngsters (besides one) died at a younger age, many individuals believed it was due to the diamond.
Nicholas Fouquet
Nicholas Fouquet labored for King Louis XIV and wore the Hope Diamond on a number of events. He fought with the king and was banished from France. The king later modified his sentence, and Fouquet was imprisoned for all times on the Fortress of Pignerol.
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Lous XVI inherited the Hope Diamond, and he and his spouse Marie Antoinette wore it. Each had been convicted of treason and executed by guillotine, and lots of curse theorists consider it’s due to the diamond.
Marie Louise
Marie Louise was one of many closest confidantes of Marie Antoinette and a member of her courtroom. In response to a number of sources, Marie Louise wore the diamond a number of instances. After Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette had been convicted of treason, Marie Louise suffered a violent demise; she was supposedly hit with a hammer and decapitated.
Wilhelm Fals
Wilhelm Fals was a Dutch jeweler who reduce the Hope Diamond into the dimensions and form it has at the moment. In response to a legend, his son stole the diamond, murdered his father, and killed himself. One other legend states that Fals died of grief after his son took the diamond.
Simon Maoncharides
Simon Maoncharides was a Greek service provider and one of many many house owners of the Hope Diamond. He drove his automotive over a cliff, killing himself, his spouse, and his youngster.
Sultan Abdul Hamid II
Abdul Hamid II was a Turkish sultan and one of many diamond’s homeowners. He was generally known as Abdul the Damned due to the quite a few misfortunes, unsuccessful wars, and tragedies throughout his reign.
Evalyn Walsh McLean
Evalyn Walsh McLean was an American socialite who purchased the Hope Diamond. In response to quite a few tales, carrying the diamond got here at a value. The heiress first misplaced her mother-in-law, then her younger son died, her husband left her, her daughter died, and he or she ended up in debt.
James Todd
James Todd was the mailman who delivered the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institute in 1958. Shortly after the supply, he was concerned in a truck accident that crushed his leg. On a distinct event, he harm his head. Then, his home burned down. James Todd is believed to be the final sufferer of the Hope diamond.
Curse theorists declare all these folks suffered as a result of they owned or wore the Hope Diamond. Nevertheless, others declare the curse tales are a advertising trick to reinforce the stone’s enchantment and thriller. Many newspapers fabricated sure tales and exploited them to extend gross sales.
The Hope Diamond and the Titanic
Many individuals consider the Hope Diamond and the diamond from the Titanic are the identical. Nevertheless, this isn’t true. The Coronary heart of the Ocean is a fictional necklace used for filming the “Titanic” film in 1997; it was by no means on the actual Titanic that sunk in 1912. However the jewel from the film was certainly impressed by the Hope Diamond.
When the Titanic sunk, the Hope Diamond was in possession of Evalyn Walsh McLean.
How A lot Would It Price to Remake a Duplicate?

The Hope Diamond is thought for its distinctive, deep blue shade that makers have had bother copying. Nevertheless, fashionable know-how permits scientists and jewelers to create replicas that look similar to the Hope Diamond to the bare eye.
The costs vary depends upon the fabric used for the duplicate. Cubic zirconia replicas price considerably lower than replicas made from actual diamonds.
A duplicate that includes cubic zirconia can price anyplace between $20 and $1,000, generally much more, relying on the opposite supplies. If it’s a high-quality duplicate, you’ll be able to count on to pay a number of hundred thousand {dollars} for it.
Speak to a Jewellery Skilled

For those who’re inquisitive about buying diamond jewellery however aren’t certain what to concentrate to, Property Diamond Jewellery may also help. We’ve been within the diamond enterprise for greater than 4 many years and have the expertise and data that will help you make the proper resolution.
Contact us to schedule an appointment in our New York showroom. For those who’re not in New York, you’ll be able to at all times schedule a video appointment, and we’ll be very happy to reply all of your questions.