Cursed Objects | Is the Hope Diamond Really Cursed?

Many cursed objects are linked with famous prophecies that lie at the heart of their tales. For example, a diamond known as the “Hope Diamond” has gained notoriety for the prophecy that it would bring calamities to its owners. This prophecy is associated with many historical figures tragically losing their lives.

The world-famous, legendary Hope Diamond, with its three million-year history, continues to be a focal point of interest. This cursed diamond is also one of the largest blue diamonds ever discovered.

Weighing 112 carats and possessing blue hues, this precious stone, due to its extreme hardness, only allows light to pass through. First appearing in India in the 1600s, this dazzling gem was displayed as the third eye on the statue of the war goddess Shiva. According to beliefs, the diamond, cursed by the goddess, has since been known for bringing death and misfortune.

After being stolen from the Shiva statue, the valuable gem came into the possession of gem dealer Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who then sold it with many other precious stones to King Louis XIV of France. After selling the diamond, Tavernier met a tragic end during a trip to Russia, torn apart by wild dogs.

Another victim of this negatively charged diamond, King Louis XIV, ordered the diamond to be cut in 1673 to make it more brilliant. After reducing the diamond to 67 carats, the king displayed it around his neck on a ribbon. However, soon after, he lost his son, brother, grandson, and the grandson’s wife in succession. Convinced of its curse, King Louis XIV stopped wearing the diamond and later died of gangrene.

The blue diamond, bought by King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette, was well known for their extravagance. However, after the 1789 French Revolution, they were caught while trying to escape and executed by guillotine.

Stolen from the Royal Palace along with other valuable diamonds in 1872, the blue diamond resurfaced in England in 1839. This time, it was stolen by Hendriks Falls, a diamond merchant’s son. However, just a month after obtaining the gem, he committed suicide.

The blue diamond found its place in Henry Philip Hope’s precious stone collection, hence recorded as the Hope Diamond. From this point onward, it began to be referred to as the “Hope Diamond.” The Hope family experienced numerous misfortunes during their possession of the diamond and later sold it to a Frenchman named Jacquez Calo.

Its new owner took his own life shortly after acquiring the diamond. The stone was next seen around the neck of a dancer named Matmazel Landre. Landre was murdered by her married lover. Known for his fascination with precious stones, Sultan Abdulhamid II of the Ottoman Empire acquired the Hope Diamond for half a million dollars. Yet, after the purchase, he was dethroned and seemed to lose all his earlier achievements, possibly due to the curse of the diamond. The gem was later bought by the famous jeweler, Pierre Cartier. In 1910, it changed hands again, coming into the possession of a wealthy American woman named Evalyn Walsh Mclean.

Mclean wore the Hope Diamond continuously, believing it brought good luck. However, the chain of misfortunes persisted: she lost her 9-year-old son in a traffic accident, her daughter committed suicide, and her husband was committed to a mental institution. Mclean died in 1941.

To pay off Mclean’s remaining debts after her death, jeweler Harry Winston of New York bought the diamond. Aware of the diamond’s history and the curse it carried, Winston donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institute to prevent it from causing harm to anyone else. Displayed there since November 10, 1958, the diamond still attracts many visitors.

The mysterious tale of the Hope Diamond, known for bringing misfortunes to its owners and being believed to be cursed, remains an intriguing topic to this day. This legendary gemstone still exudes its enchantment, luring people into its mystic world…

There have also been various movies and documentaries about the Hope Diamond. One of these is “The Great Sinner” released in 1949 which features the Hope Diamond. Additionally, early films such as “The Hope Diamond Mystery” (1921) and “The Mystery of the Hope Diamond” (1921) exist.

Moreover, there are documentaries and television programs on the Hope Diamond. For instance, productions like “The Hope Diamond Mystery” (1974), “Mystery of the Hope Diamond” (2010), and “The Curse of the Hope Diamond” (2017) have been presented to audiences.