DIAMOND

Thus, many gems were confused with diamonds, including white sapphire, topaz, zircon, beryl, and ever crystal quartz. For example, the Braganza weighs 1,680 carats and was part of the Portuguese crown jewels. It came from Brazil and is probably a topaz, according to experts.

Diamonds, nevertheless, summon up numerous attributes. Although they are brittle and not tough, diamonds were supposed to be indestructible. Their history begins in India, where almost a diamonds came from in olden times and where diamonds were traded at Golconda at least four centuries before the birth of Chris: India was more than the one-time sole source of diamonds, it way also the source of many legends concerning what was called the King of Gems.

Diamonds were the symbol of wealth and power, of fearlessness and invincibility, and of modesty and purity. The Hindus diamonds in four castes according to color, and only kings were allowed to possess red and yellow diamonds. Their virtues were often supposed to be powerful only if the diamond was a gift. Puchasing a diamond caused it to lose its powers.

One of the most famous diamonds in the world, in fact, is more noted for bad luck than for good luck. The magnificent, deep blue Hope Diamond, now at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., is thought to have been cut from the French Blue. That gems became part of the crown jewels of Louis XIV in 1668. Marie Artoinette was supposed to have worn it once before going to the guillotine. The French Blue was stolen along with other of the crown jewels in 1792. Then, in 1840 a 44.5 carat stone, identical in color appeared on the market. It was probably cut from the original stolen was bought by Henry Thomas Hope of England, from whom it got its present name.

Despite its name, tragedy seemed to follow it. One owner, while she was wearing it, was killed by her husband. Another drowned at sea. Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean, who owned it in this century associated it with bad luck in her family. After her death, it bought from her estate by Harry Winston, Inc., who gave it to the museum.