Smithsonian researcher probes Hope Diamond's fiery red glow (2024)
A study released in the January 2008 edition of the journal Geology proves that a blue diamond’s rare appeal goes far beyond its beauty. The study was conducted by Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem Collection and mineralogist, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Post and six other researchers probed the mysterious phosphorescence of the Hope Diamond and other natural blue diamonds and discovered a way to “fingerprint” individual blue diamonds.
The 45.52-carat blue Hope Diamond is the centerpiece of the National Gem Collection on display at the National Museum of Natural History and it attracts the attention of millions of visitors each year. One aspect of this famous diamond that most people do not get to see is its fiery red phosphorescence that results from exposure to ultraviolet light, which continues for more than a minute. The mysterious red phosphorescence, rarely seen in other blue diamonds, added to the Hope Diamond’s mystique and allure. However, the mystery has now been solved.
Researchers at the Smithsonian and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory measured the phosphorescence spectra of the Hope Diamond and 66 other natural blue diamonds, including the 30.82-carat Blue Heart Diamond in the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection.
Researchers found that almost all natural blue diamonds show phosphorescence that has components of blue and red light. In some cases, including the Hope Diamond, the red color dominates, and the phosphorescence appears red to the eye; but for other diamonds, the blue color dominates. The specific characteristics of the phosphorescence, such as the relative intensities of the blue and red components and how quickly it fades, were specific to each of the 67 diamonds in the study and provide a “fingerprint” that can be used by scientists and gemologists to identify individual natural blue diamonds.
“People typically think of the Hope Diamond as a historic gem, but this study underscores its importance as a rare scientific specimen that can provide vital insights into our knowledge of diamonds and how they are formed in the earth,” said Post.
Researchers also tested lab-created and artificially treated blue diamonds, which showed different phosphorescence spectra than natural blue diamonds. This difference provides an additional means to identify the origins of blue diamond gemstones.
Prior to this study, only limited scientific research existed regarding the phosphorescence properties of natural blue diamonds. Due to the rarity and extreme value of blue diamonds, scientists had typically used synthetic diamonds in past research. Post and his colleagues’ recent research took advantage of a unique opportunity to examine a large collection of natural blue diamonds from the museum and made available by diamond dealers.
Authors: Sally Eaton-Magaña, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory; Jeffrey E. Post, Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History; Peter J. Heaney, Pennsylvania State University; Jaime Freitas, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory; Paul Klein, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory; Roy Walters, Ocean Optics; James E. Butler, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
Journal
Geology
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
The Hope glows red, indicating a different mix of boron and nitrogen, Post said. He said researchers, by measuring the different glows, have been able to tell real blue diamonds from artificial ones as well as real ones that have been enhanced in laboratories.
It is classified as a type IIb diamond, which are semiconductive and usually phosphoresce. The Hope Diamond phosphoresces a strong red color, which will last for several seconds after exposure to short wave ultra-violet light. The diamond's blue coloration is attributed to trace amounts of boron in the stone.
Then, it traded hands several times until it was bought in 1912 by Evalyn Walsh McLean, a Washington, D.C socialite, who owned it until her death in 1947. Harry Winston owned it for the next eleven years until he donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958. Now, the gem belongs to all Americans.
In keeping with these scripts, according to the legend, Tavernier did not buy the Hope diamond but stole it from a Hindu temple where it had been set as one of two matching eyes of an idol, and the temple priests then laid a curse on whoever might possess the missing stone.
For more than a century, historians have debated the existence of “sister” stones to the Hope diamond, most notably the Brunswick Blue and the Pirie diamonds. The recent discovery of a lead cast of the French Blue, the Hope's precursor, has provided a more accurate model of that diamond, which disappeared in 1792.
According to the legend, a curse attends the owner of the Hope diamond, a curse that first befell the large, blue gem when it was plucked (i.e. stolen) from an idol in India—a curse that foretold bad luck and death not only for the owner of the diamond but for all who touched it.
The Hope Diamond was not on the Titanic when it sank; it was owned by Washington socialite, Mrs Evelyn McLean, who didn't even set sail on the infamous ship. When she died in 1947, it was sold to pay off her debts. The precious stone has its own narrative that is worthy of a film in itself.
Thefts were not limited to the Museum of American History. In 1979, a $25,000 bejeweled snuff box belonging to Catherine the Great was lifted from the National Collection of Fine Arts (see Washington Post article “Four Objects Stolen From Smithsonian”).
The Collection. A Washington Post investigative series into the Smithsonian's collection of at least 30,700 human bones and other body parts, including more than 250 brains.
Fluorescence can have a negative effect on higher colored stones, such as those graded D, E and F. At times, diamonds with very strong blue fluorescence can reveal an oily, milky, hazy or grayish look, dulling or darkening the diamond. For this reason, With Clarity doesn't carry very strong blue diamonds.
Stones that show up red include: ruby, synthetic ruby (verneuil), emerald, synthetic emerald, red spinel, synthetic red spinel, pink topaz, alexandrite. Used with a spectroscope the following observations/differentiations may be made: Corundum (ruby) from red spinel which shows (organ-pipe) lines in the red end.
A real diamond appears gray and white inside (brilliance) when held to the light and can reflect rainbow colors (fire) onto other surfaces. A fake diamond will display rainbow colors within the stone when held up to light.
The most accepted theory is during the diamond's formation, plastic deformation is caused in the crystal lattice structure. Some of the atoms are misplaced as the diamond moves up through its kimberlite deposit, and the intense pressure of this movement causes the varying shades of pinks, or reds, to appear.
Deep-blue diamonds rarely exceed a few carats in size, and the Hope Diamond is, in fact, the largest such diamond known. It was formed a hundred miles beneath the surface of the earth and carried upward by a volcanic eruption more than a billion years ago.
Impurities: When other elements or minerals are present in a diamond, they can cause the diamond to exhibit different colors. For example, if boron is present, the diamond may appear blue, while nitrogen can cause a yellow or brown color.
Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242
Phone: +577037762465
Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor
Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis
Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
