The hope diamond value, history and mystery gem rock. One of the reasons why the hope diamond is considered to be a mystery is because the diamond has a long list of casualties which seems to follow it anywhere that it goes. Triangular in shape and having a crude cut, its beauty was evident even then as tavernier described its color as a. The hope diamond mystery wikipedia, a enciclopedia livre. This is an incredibly rare 1921 15chapter serial with boris karloff in his first starring role. Twelve years before, henry broke lady caroline townshends heart. Told through the fictitious eyes of the hope diamond, i am the hope diamond is an informational book about the history of this amazing diamond.
Thus ends the mystery of the origin of the hope diamond. Five lesser known victims of the hope diamond curse. Another suspected curse of owning the hope diamond. A french connection had been suspected for the hope, but the new study shows just how it would have fit inside the larger french blue diamond and how that gem was cut, smithsonian gem curator. The hope diamond has left the smithsonian only four times since it was donated. The true story of lord francis hope who inherits the hope.
Nov 05, 2015 the hope diamond was weighed by the gemological institute of americas gem trade lab in 1988. Alleged effect of the hope diamonds curse as reported in newspapers of 1911 andor in maye yohes 1929 fanciful book the mystery of the hope diamond. It features herges famous character, tintin, and covers much of the second half of cigars of the pharaoh as tintin attempts to rescue a stolen blue diamond. French merchanttraveler jeanbaptiste tavernier purchased it sometime in 1660 or 1661. In this authoritative history of the hope diamond also known as the french. Unexplained mysteries the cursed diamond hope diamond. The sinister story of the hope diamond curse mysterious. If it had more of the science and more of an explanation about the spectroscopy, it would get 5 stars. Boris karloff, the apparent reincarnation of a 16th century indian high priest living. Sep 11, 20 the hope diamond appeared on the television quiz show the names the same, in an episode which first aired on august 16, 1955, when a teenaged contestant with the actual name hope diamond was one of the mystery guests, as well as at the august 1958 canadian national exhibition. On her third marriage in 1920, she persuaded film producer george kleine to back a 15episode serial the hope diamond mystery, which added fictitious characters to the tale, but the project was not successful. The mystery of the hope diamond smithsonian magazine. Whether its due to the diamonds vast collection of wealthy owners, thieves and french royals, or its vibrant color and impressive size, or even its notorious reputation of being cursed, the hope diamond is still one of the most talked about diamonds to. The hope diamond mystery is a 1921 american action film serial directed by stuart paton.
The hope diamond is by far one of the most notorious diamonds of all time, shrouded in mystery with legends as multifaceted as the diamond itself. See more ideas about hope diamond, diamond and colored diamonds. The film added more characters, including a fictionalized tavernier, and added marat among the diamond s victims. It is now housed in the national gem and mineral collection at the national museum of natural history in washington, d. The hope diamond is not only exceptionally beautiful it has a long and incredibly colorful history. The hope diamond mystery 1921 stuart paton, grace darmond. May 01, 2006 the hope diamond is not only exceptionally beautiful it has a long and incredibly colorful history. This diamond, described in the 1900s as a good sized horse chestnut,1 but shaped like a pear, was supposedly discovered in india in the seventeenth century. The hope diamond, one of the most famous jewels in the world, has a history dating back almost four centuries. Hope diamond, sapphireblue gemstone from india, one of the largest blue diamonds known. Before we take a look at the victims, we must explain the mystery of the diamond.
May 05, 2011 the hope diamond, arguably the most famous stone of all the gems in the world, is a blue diamond, and it is sometimes mistaken for sapphire. In 1921, she hired henry leyford gates to help her write the mystery of the hope diamond, in which she starred as lady francis hope. Tavernier sold his diamonds to the french royal household. This documentary takes a look at the mysterious phenomenon of the hope diamond, a priceless and rare gem weighing in at over 45 karats, which despite its coveted nature, has seemed to bring a. There are rumors that this treasure is cursed, and it. The diamond then somehow found its way to a place called the golconda mines, which at the time was one of the only sources of diamonds in the world and which produced some of the largest, among them the monstrous, rare blue hued rock that would go on to become the hope diamond. Hope diamond suggested reading smithsonian institution. Overview of hope diamond mystery, the, 1921, directed by stuart paton, with grace darmond, george chesebro, harry carter, at turner classic movies. The story of the hope diamond, the shape of the diamond was unlikely to have been an eye or on the forehead of an idol. The beautiful french blue was never seen intact again.
The curse of the famous hope diamond legends of america. They have restored and released the hope diamond mystery on dvd. In 1921, she hired henry leyford gates to help her write the mystery of the. While tavernier, king louis xiv, as well as louis xvi and maria antoinette are the famous victims, there are also lesser known victims of the diamond. For many centuries, the hope diamond has remained as one of the most famous and largest colored diamonds in the world. It is thought to have been cut from a 112carat stone brought to france by the jewel trader jeanbaptiste tavernier and purchased by louis xiv in 1668 as part of the french crown jewels.
The legend is as massive and multifaceted as the gem itself, spanning one billion years, three continents and leaving a trail of intrigue, envy and death. The stones journey began in india more than 300 years ago, when it was purchased by a french merchant. Legend has it that the diamond once lay in the statue of the goddess sita, wife of rama, the 7th avatar of vishnu, serving as her eye. The hope diamond is one of the most spectacular gems in the world, but some people believe ownership comes at a cost. Stolen during the french revolution, it resurfaced in london in 1812. It was here where the french gem merchant and adventurer jean. According to susanne patch, author of blue mystery. Apr 30, 2014 the hope diamond is one of the most spectacular gems in the world, but some people believe ownership comes at a cost. The hope diamond has long been rumored to carry a curse, possibly due to agents trying to arouse interest in the stone. Secrets to the hope diamond curse exploring lifes mysteries. Mclean would often attach other diamonds including the mclean diamond and the star of the east. The hope diamond mystery is a 1921 american action film serial directed by stuart paton and featuring boris karloff. The hope diamonds interesting and diverse history is believed, to begin with, jean baptiste tavernier, a french merchant, and traveler, who purchased a 112 316 carat diamond probably from the kollar mine in golconda, india.
In 1921, she hired henry leyford gates to help her write the mystery of the hope diamond, in which. The hope diamond, a flawless 45plus gem of rare steelblue color, was donated to the smithsonian institution in 1958 by new york city jeweler harry winston, and is the centerpiece of the hall of gems at the smithsonians national museum of natural history. Hope diamonds history can be easily traced to a blue diamond named the tavernier blue, which was originally mined from the kollur mine in golconda, india, and was a crudely cut triangle shape of 112 316 carats 22. Charles barbot published the first written speculation that the hope diamond is the recut french blue. I am the hope diamond je suis le diamant hope i am the hope diamond i am the hope diamond i am the hope diamond i am the hope diamond. That history spread over three continents features diamond mining in india, the french revolution, the machinations of british king george iv, the gilded age in america and a number of very clever the true story behind the most famousand. King louis xiv gave the diamond to a mistress, but then he cruelly abandoned her. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Introduced by the real former lady frances hope, exwife of the diamonds reallife owner. In 1839, a fourtyfive plus carat blue diamond appeared in a catalogue of the fairly sizable private gem collection of henry phillip hope, a wealthy and prominent london banker. According to the legend, a curse attends the owner of the hope diamond, a curse that first befell the large, blue gem when it was plucked i.
Those who have seen the hope diamond describe it as having a greyblue color. The most famous diamond in the world, the hope diamond, was. She divorced lord francis in 1902, and lord francis later sold the diamond to pay off debts. Ironically, the date that the hope diamond was once again found was just as the statute of limitations on the theft of the stone ran out. The hope diamond gets its name from its one time owner henry philip hope, the brother of the london banker henry thomas hope, who purchased the diamond in 1824, after it resurfaced in london, more than 20 years after it was stolen from the garde meuble in paris, during the period of the french revolution. As well known as the diamond is, the curse that follows it through history may be even more famous and has inspired countless books. Tavernier sold the diamond to king louis xiv of france in 1668 with 14 other large. That stone was sold to king louis xiv of france who. The true story of lord francis hope who inherits the hope diamond and marries showgirl may yohe. I show it to my chemistry students for the small amount of chemistry that it discusses with analyzing its composition. The hope diamond, also known as le bijou du roi the kings jewel. The hope diamond is one of the most famous jewels in the world, with ownership records. The mystery of the hope diamond gates, henry leyford on.
The gem eventually passed into the hands of louis xvi and his queen marie antoinette, both of whom were later beheaded. The onetime owner of the hope diamond was rumored to occasionally display the hope diamond on the neck of her great dane. In 1962 it was exhibited for a month at the louvre in paris, france, as part of an exhibit entitled ten centuries of french jewelry. The hope diamond remains in the safe of joseph frankel and sons for six years. The hope diamondthe most famous diamond in the world.
The research helps confirm the hope diamond as originating with a 115carat stone found in india in 1668. The story is full of mystery and suspense, well worth the more than fourhour time commitment it will take you to work through this adventure. Hope diamond, the legendary history of a cursed gem by richard kurin, smithsonian books, harper collins. May 09, 20 our film crew recreates the glamorous life of socialite evalyn walsh mclean. Informational nonfiction, 835 words, level p grade 2, lexile 560l. Origin of the name of the hope diamond the hope originated from india in golconda where. We uncover the science and secrets of historys most famous jewel by visiting different countries and getting. The hope diamond purportedly cursed and decidedly splendid was cut from another stone. It is speculated that the hope diamond was purchased in the early 19th century by king george iv, who is depicted in an 1822 portrait wearing a magnificent gem. The curse of the hope diamant one of the most famous curse. The first person who came in contact with the diamond jean baptiste died a. Tavernier died from a mysterious fever and legends say that his body was shredded by wolves.
This wonderfully researched and lively account traces the story of the hope diamond and in the process debunks and dispels much of the misinformation surrounding the worlds most famous gem. Tintin in india or the mystery of the blue diamond, is a 1941 belgian theatre piece in three acts written by herge and jacques van melkebeke. The hope diamond landed in the hands of french traveller jeanbaptiste tavernier. The extraordinary history of the hope diamond from. With grace darmond, harry carter, george chesebro, boris karloff. The hope diamond wasnt known by that name until the 1830s, relatively late in the diamond s long history, when it was owned by the hope family in london. Burdened by debt, he was forced to put the diamond up for sale in. The first historical record of the french blue resurfacing is in 1812 when it was in possession of eliason. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book without typos from the publisher. Behind the scenes smithsonian channel the hope diamonds new setting revealed smithsonian institution archives historic findings in the smithsonians curators reports. Mined in india in the 17th century, it came to the attention of a frenchman by the name of jeanbaptiste tavernier who brought it back to france with him. More accounts about the french merchant tell that soon after he collected and sold the gem, he surrendered to a fever and passed away. The mystery of the hope diamond the legend is a multifaceted as the gem, spanning one billion years, three continents and leaving a trail of intrigue, envy and death.
The hope diamond mystery 1921 stuart paton, grace darmond, harry carter, george chesebro. Sep, 2016 it was the precursor stone for the hope diamond. S institution, the hope diamond gets its name from the british financier and gem collector, henry philip hope, who owned the stone in the 1830s. The cursed diamond hope diamond unexplained mysteries. History of the hope diamond smithsonian institution. Sep 11, 2015 a close comparison of the hope diamond with historical documentation of the faceting, coloring, and dimensions of the french blue does indeed lend credence to their proposed relation.
The diamond now enters its lost years, and when it resurfaced in london two decades later, it was a different stone. The film survives with a copy at the library of congress. In 1965 the hope diamond traveled to south africa where it was exhibited at the rand easter show in johannesburg. It vanished for a while and later showed up in london, where banker henry thomas hope purchased it. In the pendant surrounding the hope diamond are 16 white diamonds, both pearshapes and cushion cuts. Nov 16, 2017 hi all, i was researching a bit more on the hope line from scotland and uncovered some interesting facts and circumstances surrounding the hope diamond and henry philip hope who came into possession of the diamond in the 1800s after its disappearance from king louis the xvi during the french revolution. Mar 11, 2015 they have restored and released the hope diamond mystery on dvd. Sometime after the theft from the royal storehouse in 1792, henry philip hope acquired the french blue diamond.
Lord francis hope gambles away the family fortune and may yohe leaves him. It is a fun video about the mystery and curse behind the hope diamond and its history. The curious history of the hope diamond victorian trading. The diamond remained with the french royal family until it was stolen in 1792 during the french revolution. This stone, later called the french blue, was recut into a 67carat heart in 1673 and disappeared.
It is blue to the naked eye because of trace amounts of. Many skeptics believe that the hope curse was put together by a savvy bunch of journalists in the 1800s they targeted sections of its history linked to unfortunate ownersto sell more. Lord francis hope, the grandson of henry thomas hope, inherited the hope diamond. The hope diamond curse numerous eastern superstitions are linked to large diamonds, most of them highlight bad luck attributed to their owners. The hope diamond, its curse, and the french geri walton. The hope diamonds bloody history begins many, many centuries ago.
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