Diamonds have been treasured for their beauty for many years

There are a few truly incredible stones that have made their mark in the world.

Learn about two of the most historically famous diamonds with us at Garner’s Jewelry:

One of the world’s most famous jewels, the Hope diamond is blue in color and weighs 45.42 carats. Said to be stolen from an idol in India, the stone is thought to be cursed.  Donated to the Smithsonian Institute in 1958, the Hope diamond has had a long and interesting history.

Originally purchased by a French merchant, the diamond weighed 112 karats when it was sold to King Louis XIV of France. Cut down by the court jeweler, the stone became known as the “Blue Diamond of the Crown” and was worn by the king. After the beheading of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the jewel was lost, not resurfacing again until 1839.

While it was not documented where or how Henry Philip Hope acquired the diamond, it remained in his possession until his death in 1839. The stone stayed in the family for a few years but was eventually sold to pay off debts. After passing through a few more owners and being resized once again, the Hope diamond reached Harry Winston Inc in 1949. It was with this company that the stone was shown around the world until being donated to The Smithsonian Institute. To view the diamond for yourself, visit the National Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C.

Currently called Koh-i-noor, a Persian phrase meaning “Mountain of Light,” this diamond has been referenced throughout history. Called Syamantaka in a Sanskrit script, the diamond was thought to be mentioned 5,000 years ago.

A curse was placed in the diamond with Hindi text from 1306 stating, “He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all its misfortunes. Only God, or a woman, can wear it with impunity.”

Passed from royalty to royalty from the early 1300s to 1850, the stone was then given to Queen Victoria when the properties of the Sikh Empire were confiscated by the British East India Company.  Exhibited in the Crystal Palace, the diamond was reshaped in 1852 and cut to 108.93 karats. The Kohinoor became a part of the Crown Jewels after Queen Victoria’s death, and she stated in her will that the Kohinoor could only be worn by a female queen.

Visit Garner’s Jewelry to find your own antique diamond jewelry or to purchase a new piece. With two Michigan store locations, we are happy to serve all of your jewelry needs!