Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed GemAn entertaining and well-researched history of the Hope diamond Since its discovery in seventeenth-century India, the Hope diamond, a glimmering deep blue gem weighing over 45 carats, has been shrouded in mystery and steeped in intrigue. In this groundbreaking work, Dr. Richard Kurin goes beyond the speculation to reveal the truth behind a legendary stone. Kurin, a cultural anthropologist, spent more than a decade on the trail of the legendary gem. But the 'curse' that surrounds it, which Kurin puts to rest once and for all, is only one small piece of a long and lustrous story that moves between ancient religion and modern magic, royal power and class rivalry, revenge and greed. Richly illustrated, Hope Diamond works in a grand historical tradition: depicting the specific to reveal the universal. |
Contents
Golcondas Wealth | |
Cosmic | |
THE WEST | |
The French Blue | |
Insignia of the Golden Fleece | |
Georges Trophy | |
High Society Talisman | |
Winstons Baby | |
Tax Deduction | |
AMERICAS DIAMOND 26 Museum Specimen 217868 | |
National Treasure | |
Collection Keystone | |
Missing Pieces? | |
Pop Icon | |
Hopes Collectible | |
Brunswicks Obsession | |
From Heirloom to Valuable | |
Ornament of the East | |
Love Commodity | |
Unlucky Inventory | |
Cartiers Story | |
McLeans Temptation | |
Modernitys Curse | |
Yohes Prop | |
EPILOGUE | |
Exorcising the Curse | |
Hope Diamond Timeline | |
Prices for the Blue Diamond | |
Acknowledgments | |
Photographs and Illustrations | |
Text Excerpts and Lyrics | |
Endnotes and References | |
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Common terms and phrases
Additional references American Austrian became blue diamond brilliant brother Brunswick Blue carats Carmichael Caroline century chapter include Charles collection color Court of Jewels Credit cultural curator curse Danton diamond ring Duke of Brunswick Dumouriez Eliason Europe European Evalyn Walsh McLean exhibition facets famous France Frankel’s French Blue French Crown Jewels gems gemstones George’s gift Golconda Golden Fleece Habib Harry Winston Henry Philip Henry Thomas Hope Hindu Hope diamond Hope’s ibid Indian diamonds insignia Jean-Baptiste Tavernier jewelry John Jumla King George King’s Kollur later legend letter London Lord Francis Louis XIV Louvre merchants million Mir Jumla Moonstone Napoleon National Museum necklace NMNH November Order painting Paris Photograph Pierre Cartier portrait possession Precious Stones Prince Regent Prussian purchased Queen reported Richard Kurin Rundell sell Smithsonian Institution sold story Streeter Sultan Switzer Tavernier’s theft Thomas Hope treasures Valmy Washington wealth wearing Wellington wrote Yohe York