Written by: Bisu Maharjan - 28003, Grade VIII
Posted on: 14 February, 2024
The Hope Diamond is also known as ‘The King’s Jewel’, ‘The Blue of France’, and ‘The Travernear’ is considered a cursed diamond. Whoever buys it faces the misfortune of their lives and a devastating ending. There has been a list of people who owned the diamond. The diamond is about 45 carats. It is said to have originated about 1 billion years ago. The story tells that it was the first part of a Hindu temple till a priest stole it. The priest was given a sentence then the diamond got into the hands of a french merchant. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier who was said to have stolen the diamond from its previous owner.
But many believe that he had bought the diamond. Rumor has it that the diamond had been sold to King Louis the Fourteenth after having a raging fever with some more of his goods. King Louis the Fourteenth decided to change the shape of the diamond and make it into a necklace then he wore the necklace to many events where everyone was left dazzling. This is also where the diamond got its nickname ‘The King’s Jewel’ and ‘The Blue of France’. Then King Louis the Fourteenth also suffered the curse of the diamond. Then only one of his children had survived and four of them had died at a young age. Considering this was normal at the time the diamond was then passed to King Louis the fifteenth. He gave the diamond to King Louis the sixteenth. He let his wife wear the diamond and then soon they were executed during the French Revolution supposing that they were the royals.
The diamond was stolen from the warehouse and later found in England. It is said that it was owned by King George the Fourth. He didn’t live a happy life but he died a year later and was not so stable in ruling as well. He got addicted to alcohol and died of internal bleeding. George the Fourth also had a lot of debts so the diamond was sold again meeting its new owner. Thomas Hope was a rich banker when the diamond was given to his brother Henry Philip. Hope kept the diamond in his collection of gems. He also died the same year and the collection was distributed equally by the court and then the hope diamond was given to a great nephew by the decision of the court. Then it stayed in the family for a long time till it was sold to a merchant the diamond had changed many dozens of owners till Piere Cartiact bought the diamond and sold it to the Maclene family. Then the family suffered heavy loss and their famous company the Washington Post was bankrupt.
Later, the diamond was bought by Harry Winston and was showcased in many meetings and charity events; he donated the diamond to the Smithsonian Institute. Now the diamond is displayed there. This was the history of the diamond. This story showcases the chance of it being cursed but some people didn’t get cursed and got away so, the mystery remains what do you think? Is it a curse or coincidence?
