Famous Diamonds Throughout History
Diamonds have on more than one occasion played a pivotal role throughout history. There is speculation that the French revolution may have gone differently if the Austrian general, the Duke of Brunswick, at the head of the troops had not been bribed by the French revolutionaries who smuggled the French Blue to him. He lost important ground with some baffling decisions and the French were not overcome by his troops. The story of this stone is told by Richard Kurin in his fantastic and well researched book Blue Hope, published by Smithsonian Books. This stone was eventually cut into at least 2 pieces, one of which his daughter Caroline brought to England when she married Prince George IV. This diamond would later become known as the Hope Diamond. It is now one of the most well known diamonds in the world. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. ...