There are a number of diamonds that have unique histories that go along with their impressive carat weight. Some have been rumored to have been stolen from religious idols, and subsequently cursed by religious priests. Others have just gotten notorious due to the tragedy that befell some of the owners. Others landed in the diamond necklaces, scepters and royal treasures of kings and queens across the ages. Diamond lore is fascinating and intriguing with much of the facts obscured and impossible to determine the veracity at this point.
One of the first famous diamonds to appear in common lore is the Koh-I-Noor diamond. The name means “Mountain of Light” and it was truly a mountain at it’s original 186 1/16 carat weight, which was the largest diamond in the world for a time, before it was cut down to a 105 carat size. It was the a highly prized spoil of war causing many conflicts and it was purported to have been stolen from Krishna himself. It was used at one time in the Peacock Throne and eventually landed in the British Crown Jewels when Queen Victoria became “Empress of India.” It’s said to bring good fortune to females and bad fortune to any male that dares wear it.
The Hope Diamond is a well-know famous diamond in the United States. However, it was purported to have originally been stolen from a Hindu idol and thus cursed by the priests. It is one of the most famous diamond necklaces around. It originally was set in a pendant by King Louis the XV and later given to Marie Antoinette by Louis the XVI. Due to her misfortune and that of many subsequent owners, the Hope diamond continues to provoke the belief that it is cursed. While most of the larger diamonds were not used as diamond necklaces, their appearance in the crowns, tiaras, and jewels of royalty speak to the beauty and rarity of these fine jewels.
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