Media Reviews: Blue Mystery: The Story of the Hope Diamond

Blue Mystery: The Story of the Hope Diamond
by Susanne Steinem Patch
published by Harry N. Abrams, New York, NY. 1999. Paperback, color and B&W, 4-3û4" x 6-3û4", 92 pages, $9.95.

Reviewed by June Culp Zeitner.

I am happy to review this new edition of Susanne Steinem Patch’s exciting book about this national treasure, which first printed in 1976. This book contains sensational color and black-and-white photos of the Hope diamond, as well as line drawings from the 19th century with top and side views of the cut. There is also an interesting and informative foreword by Jeffrey E. Post, curator of the National Gem and Mineral Collection.

This well-written edition also has new facts that were carefully uncovered and authenticated by the author, who has maintained a long fascination with this blue diamond. I met the author in Washington, D.C., when the first edition came out, and I was amazed at the lengths to which she had gone to dig out the long-forgotten history that surrounds the stone.

Blue Mystery: The Story of the Hope Diamond is divided into three parts: what is known about the Hope Diamond; speculations about the Hope; and evaluating the Hope. It is known that Tavernier, an adventurous gem merchant of the 17th century, bought the blue diamond in India and brought it to France, where he sold it to King Louis XIV. And after an intriguing three-century journey, the “cursed” blue diamond was presented to the U.S., where it now stars in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Of course, there are gaps in the history of this diamond, as well as confusing myths. For instance, it has been told that the Hope family, during the period they owned the diamond, suffered many misfortunes. The supposed “curse” followed the diamond to Ms. Evalyn Walsh McLean, who endured family tragedies after she acquired the Hope from Cartier. But more is known about the Hope than many other large and famous diamonds of the past. Part of the reason the author was able to trace so much of the history is due to the dramatic blue color of the stone, which made the Hope so desirable to royalty, nobility, and other well-known people. And I find it remarkable that new facts about an ancient stone are still emerging. When the diamond was originally weighed, it was 44.50 carats. But in the mid-1970s, it weighed in as 45.52 carats (after it was removed from its mounting). Now, I’d like to know how it managed to gain a carat during its travels!