The legends and myths (and the curses!) associated with the most famous jewels in history.
Hope Diamond
The
Hope Diamond, named for its 19th century owners, is arguably the
best-known diamond in the world. It’s widely believed what became the
Hope Diamond was cut from a 115-carat blue diamond
sold to King Louis XIV from a mine in India . Legend has it that death
and misfortune plague the diamond’s owner, claiming notable figures such
as Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette along with many jewelers and
socialites. Most of the stories surrounding supposed owners of the
diamond have been proven historically inaccurate. The 45.42-carat diamond currently resides in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Koh-I-Noor Diamond
The
Koh-I-Noor diamond was once the most well-known throughout the world.
Legend has it the " Mountain of Light " was stolen from the Hindu god
Krishna . Often, the spoils of war, the 186-carat diamond steadily passed among Hindu, Mughal, Persian, Afghan, and Sikh rules before being recut to 109 carats and added to the British Crown Jewels in 1877. A life of misfortune reportedly falls upon any male owner of the diamond.
Black Orlov Diamond
The Black Orlov diamond, or “the Eye of Brahma,” was supposedly stolen from an Indian idol in its 195-carat
form. The diamond is said to hold a deadly curse, causing three of its
owners to jump to their death. The diamond has since been cut into three
separate pieces in attempts to break the curse. No tragedies have
befallen the owners of the cut 67.5-carat diamond.
Delhi Purple Sapphire
The
cursed Delhi Purple Sapphire was brought to the UK from Kanpur by a
soldier. Both the soldier and his son lost their wealth and health after
owning the stone, and a family friend reportedly killed himself after
possession of the stone for a short time. Edward Heron-Allen, a
scientist and friend of Oscar Wilde, willed the stone to the Natural
History Museum in London after steady bad luck, he believed, caused by
the Delhi Purple Sapphire.
Black Prince's Ruby
The Black Prince’s Ruby is one of the oldest gems among the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom . Sitting in the cross pattée of the British Imperial State Crown. The 170-carat spinel’s namesake acquired the jewel as payment for aiding Don Pedro the Cruel to victory in a civil war.
La Peregrina Pearl
La Peregrina Pearl is one of the most famous of its kind. The 500-year-old
pearl WAs found by an African slave and presented to King Philip II of
Spain , who then gifted it to his wife, Mary I of England . The pearl
was steadily passed down to members of European royalty before purchased
at auction by Richard Burton. He gave the pearl as a gift to his wife
and its current owner, Elizabeth Taylor.
Star of India Sapphire
Weighing in at 563 carats, the Star of India is
one of the largest star sapphires in the world. It was mined in Sri
Lanka and brought to New York by banker J.P. Morgan,who donated the gem
to the American Museum of Natural History. In 1964, the stone was stolen
by a small-time thief who was arrested two days later. The stone was
recovered in a locker in a
Miami bust stop.
Email received July 2010
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