The DC Traveler

The Perfect Gift - The Hope Diamond

by Jon on November 28th, 2007

Now you can have your own Hope Diamond or give one as a great gift. No, not the real one, that is unless you have about $250 million and can convince the Smithsonian to part with it. But a copy of the Hope Diamond. And what woman wouldn’t want one of her own?

This reproduction of the most famous Smithsonian gem, the  blue Hope Diamond has at its center, a cut glass blue stone encircled by 16 cubic zirconia diamonds. It can be worn as either a brooch to pendant. 

The original Hope diamond was initially 112 carats and ultimately was cut down to 45 carats. It was  first purchased by King Louis XIV of France in 1668. The next documented owner was Henry Philip Hope in 1839. It stayed in the Hope family until 1901, when it was sold to pay family debts.

The diamond was then sold between dealers a couple times and finally sold in Paris in 1909 to famed jeweler, Pierre Cartier, for around $80,000.

In 1911 the diamond was sold to Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean, of Washington D.C., after Carrier had the Hope reset a a three-tiered circle of white diamonds.  Originally used as a headpiece, Mrs. McLean had it made into a pendant and was reportedly known to wear to it to every Washington social event.

In 1949, after her death, Harry Winston Inc. of New York City purchased her entire jewelry collection, including the Hope diamond. Ten years later, it was donated to the Smithsonian Institution, where it has been in display at the National Museum of Natural History as a premiere piece ever since.  

Not a fan of diamonds? How about a nice multi-million dollar ruby ring?

A copy of the 23 carat Burmese red ruby ring called the Carmen Lúcia Ruby is also available for holiday gift-giving.

Can you tell the original from the copy? Mouse over the photo to find out which is which.

The Hope Diamond is available from the SmithsonianStore.com for $85.00, and the Carmen Ruby Ring sells for $95.00.

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