Legendary Gems — Beautiful, Treasured…and Cursed?

By Tara Kingston

For centuries, precious jewels have been treasured for their beauty and scarcity. Gems such as crimson rubies, rich blue sapphires, and sparkling diamonds adorn the crowns of royalty and have been passed down through families as cherished heirlooms. But is it possible that some of the most legendary gemstones actually brought misfortune to their owners? Is it conceivable that a gleaming stone could actually bring tragedy upon the one who possesses it? Here’s a look at some gems that are rumored to carry a curse:

The Hope Diamond

Steel Engraving - Marie Antoinette before her Execution

Were Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette victims of the curse rumored to follow this legendary blue diamond? Evidence suggests the stone known as the Hope Diamond was recut from the French Blue, a sixty-seven carat gem that had been part of the French crown jewels. During the French Revolution, the priceless diamond was stolen from the royal treasury, while Louis XVI and his wife, Queen Marie Antoinette, went to the guillotine in 1793. The gem was believed to have resurfaced in London in 1812, recut to 45.54 carats.

Evalyn Walsh McLean

Decades later, American heiress Evalyn Walsh McLean acquired the diamond in 1910. She suffered great tragedy after the purchase, including the death of two of her children. After Mrs. McLean’s death in 1947, the diamond was purchased by Harry Winston, who later donated the jewel to the Smithsonian Institution.

The Koh-I-Noor Diamond

Koh-I-Noor Diamond

This massive diamond (105.6 carats) was rumored to have served as the eye of an idol of a Hindu goddess. Dubbed the Koh-I-Noor diamond, which is Persian for “Mountain of Light”, the gem was acquired by England as part of the British annexation of Punjab.  According to legend, a Hindu curse brings misfortune upon any male in possession of the stone. Perhaps in the spirit of playing it safe, the jewel has never been worn by any male among the British Royals. The gem was

Queen Mary's Crown

placed in the crown used for the coronation of Queen Alexandra in 1902 and later mounted in Queen Mary's crown. The jewel was placed in the Queen Mother’s crown in 1947, where it remains to this day. The crown and the diamond are on display in the Tower of London. 

The Black Prince’s Ruby

Imperial State Crown

A red spinel dubbed the “Great Imposter”, the Black Prince’s Ruby is mounted in England’s Imperial State crown. Named for Edward of Woodstock, the fourteenth century “Black Prince”, the gemstone is rumored to have brought tragedy upon historical figures including the Sultan of Granada, who was in possession of the stone when he was murdered, Henry V, who nearly died at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and Richard III, who died in the Battle of Bosworth. 

Many other rare gemstones including the Star of India, the Black Orlov diamond, and the Sancy diamond are associated with deadly curses. So, what are your thoughts—are these legends based in truth or mere superstition?

To learn more about these gems:

http://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/a_nav/hope_nav/hnav_level_1/1_past_hopfrm.html
http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/hope.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koh-i-Noor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Prince's_Ruby

All photographs and historical images are in the public domain.

About The Author: 

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Award-winning and Amazon.com bestselling author Tara Kingston writes historical romance laced with intrigue, danger, and adventures of the heart. A Southern belle-out-of-water in a quaint Pennsylvania town, she lives her own love story with her real-life hero in a cozy Victorian. The mother of two sons, Tara's a former librarian whose love of books is evident in her popping-at-the-seams bookcases. It goes without saying that she’s thankful for the invention of digital books, thereby eliminating the need for yet another set of shelves. When she's not writing, reading, or burning dinner, Tara enjoys cycling, hiking, and cheering on her favorite football team. 

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