Hey there, Hope Diamond admirers!
Maybe it’s because blue diamond pendants are suddenly in vogue or because the history of the Hope Diamond is way too enthraling to ignore, the Hope Diamond necklace is all anyone can talk about these days. And TBH, we can’t complain.
After all, this mesmerising blue gem has become a cultural icon—a symbol of both beauty and mystery that continues to spark intrigue across generations.
Fascinated? Just grab a hot cup of coffee and read on.
First Things First, What Is the Hope Diamond?
Well, to begin with, the blue Hope Diamond weighs an impressive 45.52 carats. In fact, we’re pretty sure it is one of the reasons why the Hope Diamond costs 350 million dollars (yes, you read that right!) It also boasts an exceptionally deep blue colour that’s rare to find. And in case you were wondering, the unique Hope Diamond colour is attributed to the presence of trace amounts of boron within the stone’s chemical composition.
If you already find this cool, then you need to buckle up, ‘cause there’s more!
While its current name comes from its first documented owner, Henry Philip Hope, this stunner has also been called “The Blue Diamond of the Crown” and “The French Blue” over the years. If you ask us, we would just call this gem ‘Our Favourite’. *wink wink*
The Glorious Hope Diamond’s History
While the Hope Diamond’s size and colour are extraordinary enough to grab eyeballs, the stone’s real appeal lies in its captivating history.
For instance, many historians agree that this one-of-a-kind stone was mined from the Kollur mine in India.
However, a movie-worthy story actually began in 1666, when a French gem merchant named Jean-Baptiste Tavernier took a little trip to India. And wouldn’t you know it, he swiped the diamond from the eye of the Hindu goddess Sita’s statue and decided to walk away with it. All hell broke loose when Sita’s worshipers were miffed about this theft. They cursed the great Hope Diamond and anyone who dared to touch it. And thus, began a long streak of unfortunate events for the future diamond’s owners.
It started with King Louis XIV. He bought the stunner from Jean-Baptiste Tavernier in 1668, had it recut, promptly renamed it to the “Blue Diamond of the Crown” and flaunted it every chance he got. And while the “French Blue” (as the common folks called it) was truly spectacular, it probably didn’t prepare him for the string of bad luck that came with it. Not only did almost all his legitimate heirs die, but the King himself had a painful death, thanks to gangrene. We know, ouch!
French Revolution and the Hope Diamond’s Disappearance
After King Louis XIV, the blue diamond made its way to King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. Spoiler Alert: It didn’t end well. The coveted gem was stolen during a crown jewel looting spree during the French Revolution in 1792.
Resurfacing and Rebranding of the Hope Diamond
It wasn’t until the year 1812 that a 44-carat diamond with a deep blue hue (that many historians believe was the same blue diamond) surfaced in London.
From King George IV, the gem eventually fell into the hands of Henry Philip Hope in 1839 who decided to give it a makeover, and so, the Hope Diamond was born! Luckily, the stone was passed down through the generations without incident until it landed in the lap of Lord Francis Hope. Sadly, he had to give it up to pay off his debts (yes, the bad luck was pretty much still attached to the diamond).
Enter: The Pierre Cartier!
During the 1900s, the Hope Diamond was firmly in the grasp of Pierre Cartier who was focused on selling it to an American buyer. And he did find a perfect fit for the business: Evalyn Walsh Mclean, the wife of Ned Mclean (a prominent member of the Washington Post family) and heiress to a mining company. You see, unlike other superstitious people, Evalyn believed that bad luck charms brought her good luck. It was during this time that the necklace’s setting was changed to a smaller oval frame with a halo of smaller diamonds to enhance its appeal. And boy, was she sold!
So, Where Is the Hope Diamond Now?
While the stone may have had a tragic past, its ending is nothing short of a ‘Happily Ever After’.
In 1949, the illustrious Harry Winston Inc. of the Big Apple took a shopping spree of epic proportions. They scooped up the entire jewellery treasure trove of Mrs. McLean including the Hope Diamond! For the next decade, the Hope Diamond became quite the globetrotter with Harry Winston Inc. flaunting it at exhibitions and charity bashes all around the world. However, on November 10, 1958, something magical happened. The company generously donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution. The stunner was immediately a smashing hit and has since been considered the museum’s pièce de résistance.
In recent years, the gem has become a muse for artists, writers and designers alike. Its captivating colour has inspired everything from fashion lines to nail polish shades!
Titanic and the Hope Diamond
Sure, Leonardo DiCaprio might have widened a few eyes through his performance in the ‘Titanic,’ but let’s not forget the real heartthrob of the movie i.e., Rose’s Heart of The Ocean necklace. We still remember sitting in the theatres watching Kate Winslet flaunt this absolute beauty for the first time… it took our breath away! But that’s to be expected, especially because the necklace was inspired by the Hope Diamond (or so people say).
While the Heart of the Ocean wasn’t under any curse, and its presence on the Titanic had no bearing on the ship’s ill-fated voyage, its similarity to the Hope Diamond definitely contributed to the speculation surrounding a potential Hope Diamond Titanic link.
Shop Blue Diamond Pendants for Women
Want to flaunt something like the Hope Diamond without the fear of being cursed? Then, our collection of blue diamond pendants is just what you need. We also have several unique lab-grown blue sapphire pendants in case your taste veers toward another side. And if you (or your special lady) always find yourself captivated by a blue-coloured gemstone, go ahead and shop our blue diamond earrings for her or blue diamond engagement rings. Trust us, you’ll love it!
Remember, diamonds and other such iconic stones may be forever, but the stories that they carry are even more eternal. And the Hope Diamond’s story? Let’s just say it’s a blockbuster that never goes out of style, leaving us all eagerly waiting for its next twist in the tale.
FAQ
The Hope Diamond weighs an impressive 45.52 carats.
As of 2023, the Hope Diamond is reportedly worth around 350 million dollars.
No, the Hope Diamond wasn’t on the Titanic. However, a blue stone necklace that looked inspired by the Hope Diamond was used to create Rose’s Heart of the Ocean Necklace.
While there are several conflicting reports regarding its place of origin, many historians agree that this incredible stone was mostly discovered in India’s Kollur mine.
While the Hope Diamond’s eye-widening size, unique color and extreme rarity add to its monetary value, its compelling history is the main reason why it’s a crowd favorite.
