The Hope Diamond: Cursed Treasure or Clever Marketing?
Few gems have captured the imagination quite like the Hope Diamond. With its deep blue glow and a backstory dripping with scandal, betrayal, and bad luck, it’s no wonder this famous stone has been called “the most cursed diamond in the world.” But is it really a harbinger of doom, or is that just a brilliant bit of storytelling? Let’s dig into the truth behind the legend (if you dare).
A Mysterious Beginning… (Maybe)
The Hope Diamond’s story starts in 17th-century India, in the legendary Kollur Mine. A French merchant, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, acquired an enormous blue diamond that weighed around 112 carats. The rumor was that he stole it from the eye of a sacred statue, triggering an ancient curse that would follow the stone for all eternity.
(In reality, Tavernier bought the stone through legitimate trade and didn't live under a curse because of it. He actually lived to the ripe old age of 84, an age he wouldn't easily have reached if he had been cursed.)
The French Blue and a Royal Curse
The stone soon moved from Tavernier into the hands of French royalty, who had it recut into a 67-carat masterpiece known as the French Blue. It became a prized possession of the Sun King, Louis XIV, who wasn’t exactly known for his modest taste.
After the kings death in 1715, the diamond simply stayed within the French royal families collection until, in the late 17th Century, things took a bit of a dark turn. His great-great-grandson, Louis XVI, and his infamous wife, Marie Antoinette, met their fate at the guillotine during the French Revolution. Their deaths, combined with the diamond disappearing in the chaos, reignited the legend of the diamonds deadly curse.
(In reality, their downfall had more to do with revolutionaries than gemstones.
The French Blue was stolen in 1792, along with most of the French Crown Jewels. 20 years later, once the statute of limitations for crimes committed during the French revolution had expired, it was recut and sold on, though not under it's original name.)
Enter the Hope Family… And the Bad Luck (Finally) Begins?
By the early 1800s, the diamond, having been reshaped into its current 45.52-carat form, found its way into the possession of Henry Philip Hope, a London banker. Though he gave the gem its famous name, The Hope Diamond, his family suffered financial ruin, with his heirs squabbling over his estate and eventually losing much of their fortune.
(In reality, Henry Philip Hope died a very wealthy man and left his estate to his three nephews. The problems started with those brothers arguing over how to split the wealth. After 10 years, they finally agreed, with one inheriting the land, another inheriting the bulk of Henry's 700+ gemstone collection, and the last brother (Henry Thomas Hope) inheriting just 8 gemstones, one of which was the Hope Diamond.
When Henry Thomas Hope passed away, the diamond, along with his other wealth, was passed to his wife, who later passed it to her grandson Francis Hope. Francis wasn't good with money, choosing to live a life of luxury that was well outside of his means, and eventually having to sell the Hope Diamond at the start of the 1900's to pay off some of his debts.)
A Trail of Tragedy?
As the Hope Diamond changed hands, its dark reputation grew:
Simon Frankel purchased the diamond in 1901 with the intention of selling it on for a profit but nearly went bankrupt instead as he couldn't find someone willing to pay enough for it.
Selim Habib purchased the diamond in 1908 for less than Frankel had paid for it. Shortly after purchasing the diamond, Habib also found himself facing financial difficulties
(Via a couple of other sales, Pierre Cartier ended up owning the Hope Diamond in 1910. He then spent some time spreading rumors of a curse to increase interest in the gem so he could sell it on at a premium)
Evalyn Walsh McLean, an American heiress purchased the Diamond from Cartier in 1912. She adored it but also endured a series of personal misfortunes, including the tragic deaths of her son and husband. She also lost her fortune, and after her death, despite her will stating her jewellery should be shared among her grandkids, the hope diamond was sold to help pay off her debts.
These eerie coincidences of lost fortunes kept the story of the “cursed” diamond alive. But was it truly supernatural misfortune, or just the unpredictable nature of life?
The Smithsonian’s Lucky Charm
By 1958, the Hope Diamond had made its way to Harry Winston, a jeweller who, rather than keeping the “cursed” stone, donated it to the Smithsonian Institution. In one final dramatic flourish, Winston mailed the diamond to the museum in a simple brown paper package (yes, a $200 million gem was sent through regular U.S. mail for just $2.44 in postage). Bold move, but he wasn’t entirely reckless, he did insured the package for its full value, just in case the curse decided to kick in via the postal system.
Since arriving at the Smithsonian, the Hope Diamond has brought nothing but good fortune, becoming one of the most visited and studied gems in the world.
(Image of the Hope Diamond from Smithsonian Institution Website, used with permission)
The Truth Behind the Mystery
From India, to French Royals, and some not so wealthy any more rich people. The Hope Diamond has had quiet a few adventures since being discovered in the 17th century. So, was the it truly cursed, or just the victim of some flowery story telling? The evidence suggests the latter, but despite this, if you had the chance, would you risk owning it? Or would you rather just admire this legend from a safe distance?