The Hope Diamond is a large, 45.52 carats (9.10 g), deep-blue diamond which is currently housed in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, DC.
The history of the stone began when Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a French jeweler visited India in 1964 and purchased a 112 3/16-carat diamond. Tavernier sold the diamond to King Louis XIV of France in 1668. King Louis XV had the stone reset by court jeweler Andre Jacquemin. In 1812 a blue diamond was documented as being in the possession of Daniel Eliason, London diamond merchant. Strong evidence shows that the diamond was the recut French Blue and the same stone known today as the Hope Diamond.
45.52 carats (9.10 g), deep-blue diamond
The Hope Diamond in its present state at the National Gem Collection without its setting
Blue diamond was plucked from an idol in India - a curse that foretold bad luck and death for both diamond owner and all who touched it.
An early account of the Hope Diamond's "cursed origins" was "Hope Diamond Has Brought Trouble To All Who Have Owned It". The Hope Diamond was also blamed for the unhappy fates such as the falls of Madame Athenais de Montespan, the beheadings of Louis XVI, and the rape and mutilation of the Princesse de Lamballe. The legend mentions the deaths of numerous characters. Since the diamond was put in the Smithsonian Institution, there have been no unusual related incidents.
Jean Baptiste Tavernier - the first owner of the diamond.
King Louis XVI
Queen Maria Louisa of Spain
Hope Family
Sultan Abdul-Hamid II was dethroned after getting possession of the Hope
Evalyn Walsh McLean had an afflicted life
Donor of the Hope to the museum
The Hope still brought misfortune to the carriers
