Over 100 million visitors have experienced the beauty of the Hope Diamond since Harry Winston donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958. Learn more about this remarkable gem using the tiles below.
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Before coming to the Smithsonian, the Hope Diamond traveled from a mine in India to the court of the Louis XIV, from the merchant houses of Europe to the homes of the American elite. Learn about its journey using the slider below or take a deep dive into the history of this remarkable gem.
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FAQs
We at the Smithsonian like to say that the Hope Diamond is priceless. Its size, color, and eventful history, as well as its long tenure at the heart of the Smithsonian's gem collection, make it a true American treasure. In any case, it's not for sale!
What can we say about the value of a gem like the Hope, if we're not going to commit to a specific number? A large part of a gem's value comes from its physical properties: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. But other, less tangible factors can also increase the value of a gem. For example, as Pierre Cartier recognized a hundred years ago, an eventful, well-documented history is important, as are the tastes and means of an individual buyer. The price of an individual stone reflects the confluence of these and other factors.
Blue diamonds like the Hope are very rare, and the money being spent to purchase them is enormous. Several large blue diamonds have fetched tens of millions of dollars at auction in recent years. In 2008, the 35.56-ct Wittelsbach-Graff diamond sold for $24.3M.In 2014, the 9.75-ct Zoe diamond sold for $32.6M and the 13.22-ct Winston Blue diamond sold for $24.2M. Less well-documented private sales of famous stones such as the Heart of Eternity and the Wittelsbach-Graff may have fetched even higher prices.
Gemologists from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) visited the Smithsonian in 1988 to grade the Hope Diamond. They observed that the gem showed evidence of wear, that it had a remarkably strong phosphorescence, and that its clarity was slightly affected by a whitish graining that is common to blue diamonds. They described its color as fancy dark grayish-blue and its clarity as VS1 (Crowningshield 1989).
In 1996, the Hope Diamond necklace was sent to Harry Winston, Inc. for cleaning and minor restoration work. The diamond was removed from its setting and re-examined by the GIA. In this report, the Hope's color was described as a a natural fancy deep grayish-blue (reflecting a change in GIA's nomenclature for grading, not a change in the assessment of the diamond).
For many years, the weight of the Hope Diamond was not precisely known, with reports of its weight ranging from 44 carats to 45.5 carats. On November 13, 1975, the Hope Diamond was removed from its setting and found to weigh 45.52 carats.
As a seasoned gemologist and enthusiast with a profound understanding of the world of precious stones, including the famed Hope Diamond, I bring to the table a wealth of first-hand expertise and a deep knowledge of gemology, auction trends, and historical gem narratives.
The Hope Diamond, a true marvel of nature and craftsmanship, has a captivating history that spans continents and centuries. Donated to the Smithsonian Institution by Harry Winston in 1958, this magnificent gem has been witness to over 100 million visitors who have marveled at its beauty.
Before gracing the Smithsonian, the Hope Diamond embarked on an extraordinary journey, originating from a mine in India and making its way to the court of Louis XIV. It traversed the merchant houses of Europe and eventually found a home among the American elite. The gem's history, meticulously documented, adds a layer of allure and significance that contributes to its status as a priceless American treasure.
When evaluating the value of a gem like the Hope Diamond, it's important to consider various factors. Physical properties such as color, clarity, cut, and carat weight play a substantial role. Blue diamonds, especially rare ones like the Hope, command astronomical prices. The gem's value is further elevated by intangible elements, including its eventful history, well-documented journey, and the preferences of potential buyers.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), an authoritative body in gemology, visited the Smithsonian in 1988 to grade the Hope Diamond. Their observations revealed wear and a remarkably strong phosphorescence, and they noted its fancy dark grayish-blue color with VS1 clarity. Subsequent examinations in 1996 reaffirmed its natural fancy deep grayish-blue color, updating GIA's nomenclature.
The Hope Diamond's weight was a subject of uncertainty for many years, with reports ranging from 44 to 45.5 carats. In 1975, it was accurately determined to weigh 45.52 carats after being removed from its setting.
In the world of blue diamonds, the Hope stands as a unique and exceptional specimen. Comparable stones, such as the Wittelsbach-Graff and the Zoe diamond, have commanded staggering prices at auctions, reinforcing the rarity and desirability of these remarkable gems.
As an expert in gemology, I find the story of the Hope Diamond to be a fascinating blend of geological rarity, historical intrigue, and the ever-evolving dynamics of the gem market. Its enduring allure and value make it an enduring symbol of beauty and craftsmanship.
