The Hope Diamond Trivia Quiz

Answer: India

Tavernier made six voyages between 1631 and 1668 to India for the purpose of buying diamonds. He became a very successful gem dealer and well known celebrity. In fact, Louis XIV not only invited Tavernier to sell him gems, but to write an account of his travels.

Answer: Louis XIV

In selling the "beau violet" to Louis XIV Tavernier received $1.8 million dollars (2006 USD equivalent) and the title of Baron.

Answer: Bribery of the Austrian and Prussian armies commander

Carl Wilhelm Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, was the commander of the Austrian and Prussian armies. At Valmy he had the advantage of having nearly twice as many troops as the French and had his troops positioned to outflank the opposing forces. With victory so easily attainable it was deemed suspicious that the Duke did not proceed and eventually retreated.

The evidence suggesting that the Duke was bribed to throw the campaign is fourfold. First, there is the fact that he did not press the campaign. Second, he met several times with French representatives at Valmy. Third, the French Bleu had been stolen. Fourth, the existence of a post-campaign painting of Caroline, his daughter, wearing a blue diamond necklace.

Answer: George IV

George IV married the Duke of Brunswick's daughter, Caroline. Married by proxy their first meeting was less than auspicious. George IV left the meeting room as soon as possible and stated, "I am not well: pray get me a glass of brandy". Caroline was older than the typical bride of the time (29 years old), lax about hygiene, coarse in manner and words, and sexually promiscuous.

She was not only denied access to the King's coronation, but the right to be crowned Queen of England. The situation continued to deteriorate over time with Caroline living a rootless existence while wandering across Europe with a variety of lovers. To fund her lifestyle Caroline sold personal jewelry including the blue diamond.

Although there is no record of whether George IV knew it had previously belonged to his wife it is unlikely he did not know due to the rarity of blue diamonds.

Answer: The blue diamond became known as the "Hope Diamond".

Being a friend of both King William IV and Hope and executor of George IV's will, the Duke of Wellington acted as an intermediary in arranging the sale of the blue diamond. Hope was a member of a wealthy merchant banking family that collected gems. His primary interest in the blue diamond was as a specimen notable only for its intrinsic properties, not historical associations and/or uses. Known for its beauty and rarity the Hope Diamond joined a collection worth $15 million dollars (2006 USD equivalent). Hope catalogued the Hope Diamond as "No. 1" and weighing 44 1/4 carats, which was then stored in Drawer #16 of his home gem cabinet.

Answer: All of the answers are correct.

In the early 1900s exciting narratives for well known gems were common. However, prior to the acquisition by Cartier Jewelers (1910) there was no specific narrative and/or curse associated with the Hope Diamond. In creating a narrative for the Hope Diamond the Cartier brothers capitalized on the popularity of Orientalism by incorporating Indian gemstone lore and using elements found in Wilkie Collins', "The Moonstone".

This information was then blended with data gleaned from Tavernier's books and anecdotal and factual accounts regarding previous owners.

The Cartier narrative was actually created for a buyer that Pierre Cartier targeted, Evalyn Walsh McLean.

Answer: All of the answers are correct.

Being a wealthy public figure Evalyn Walsh McLean had experienced kidnapping threats. In trying to locate and pay the Lindbergh kidnappers she hoped to regain her friends' son. However, Gaston Means, the man hired to do the job stole the ransom money.

Answer: All of the answers are correct.

Harry Winston was so well known as the "Diamond King" that he is personally addressed in the 1953 movie, "Gentlement Prefer Blondes". While singing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" Marilyn Monroe pauses, turns to the camera and says, "Talk to me, Harry Winston. Tell me all about it".

Answer: United States Postal Service

Washington, D.C. Postman James Todd delivered the Hope Diamond unaccompanied and unarmed. The 61 ounce package insured for $1 million dollars was addressed, "Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., Attention: Dr. Leonard Carmichael".

Answer: $200 million dollars

As late as 1979 people were making offers to the Smithsonian Institution to purchase the Hope Diamond. In 1999, blue diamonds were selling for $300,000 - $600,000 per carat. However, Ronald (Harry's son) Winston's 1995 estimate of $200 million is based on the price the Hope Diamond would be expected to realize at auction. Winston's estimate takes into account not only the value per carat, but also the cultural and historical significance of the gem.