Some ancient civilizations believed that diamonds were parts of stars that fell from the sky, while early Europeans hoped they would protect them in battle and prevent natural disasters. With such deep-rooted symbolism, it is no surprise that humanity has pursued these naturally radiant stones for centuries. The rarest and most remarkable diamonds in history are as famous for their charm as they are for the stories behind them. Let’s discover the conflicts and mysteries that surround these three extraordinary gems that are famous all over the world.
A Stolen Gem’s Journey to Fame: The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press/Richard Drew.
One such incident occurred in 1959 when thieves forcibly entered German actress Vera Krupp’s home near Las Vegas. Their target was clear—they seized a rare 33.20-carat blue and white diamond, forcefully taking it from her finger. After restraining her with a power cord, they ran away with the ring and an unusually large sum in cash (not everyone keeps $700,000 at home).
The FBI had been chasing the thieves across several states for almost two months. They finally got a tip in Newark, New Jersey — someone had spotted a grocer who wanted to sell a big diamond. That helped catch the criminals and put them on trial, and the accessory made its way back to its owner.
After the actress passed away in the late 1960s, the diamond went up for auction and was sold for a groundbreaking $307,000. The buyer? Richard Burton, who spoiled his better half, Elizabeth Taylor with jewelry which she absolutely loved. She adored the ring as it was one of the most notable items in her collection. After Taylor passed in 2011, Christie’s auctioned the ring again, this time calling it the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, and traded it for a whopping $8.8 million.
Fate Sealed by Water: The Moon of Baroda’s Curse
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.
Another stunning diamond is the 24-carat yellow Moon of Baroda, which became famous after Marilyn Monroe wore it while marketing her film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The way she styled it was very unusual and bold, especially during that time. A simple black cord choker wasn’t a common match for such a glamorous stone, however Marilyn had that talent to provoke and fascinate. Following the film’s release, Monroe’s career had its curves, making people wonder whether the cursed diamond had played a role.
People think that this diamond should have stayed at its homeland and never crossed the ocean. And you can agree with that when you have a closer look at its story. For three hundred years, the jewel peacefully stayed in India, in the collection of the Baroda dynasty. However, in the 18th century, they sent the gem overseas as a gift to Empress Marie Therese of Austria. It seems that it was the point when everything started. Not long after, the Empress passed away, and her daughter, Marie Antoinette, had a tragic fate. The yellow beauty was eventually returned to the Gaekwads, who decided to place it in a necklace setting. Meyer Rosenbaum of Meyer Jewelry Company got the diamond in 1953. She came up with the idea that Marilyn Monroe should wear the piece while promoting the movie, a decision she may have later regretted.
Photo courtesy of Christie’s.
In 1990, the historic gem was auctioned at Christie’s and fetched almost $300,000, three times its original price. Almost 30 years later, it was sold by the same auction house for $1.3 million. Whether its current owner will test the rumored curse by taking it across an ocean remains unknown.
The Hope Diamond’s Dark Legacy
Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Institution.
An infamous Hope Diamond made headlines when jeweler Harry Winston donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in the late 1950s. Sometimes, it is hard to explain the actions of such prominent people and successful businessmen. There is no way you would ship such an expensive stone via post; however that is exactly what the well-known jeweler did — he mailed it for just $2.50.
The 45.52-carat blue diamond is one of the best-known gems, but you might not want it in your collection because it seems to bring bad luck. A French traveler, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, was the first owner of this natural wonder; however, it is unknown how exactly he got it. Some people believe he bought it, but some sources consider that he stole it from a statue of the Hindu divine figure. And it may explain why it was cursed — as it was obtained in an dishonest way, Karma played its part and everyone who owned it couldn’t be happy. In the late 1660s, the traveler and merchant sold the gem to King Louis XIV of France. It was safe in the Royal Treasury up until 1792, when it was seized. The Hope family most likely purchased the blue jewel in 1839, at least it’s when it entered their catalog.
Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Institution.
Many who possessed the Hope Diamond fell on hard times. One of the last people who owned the “beautiful violet” (as called by its first owner) was Evalyn Walsh McLean. Her life changed dramatically after she bought the rare blue treasure in 1911. Whether it was related to the precious gem or not, unfortunately she lost her family. The diamond was put up for sale after Evalyn’s death, in 1947. Harry Winston wasn’t afraid of the possible curse and bought it right away.
Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Institution.
Today, the Hope Diamond belongs to the gem collection at the National Museum of Natural History, and numerous visitors stop by to admire the beautiful stone with an infamous reputation.
