Perhaps the most notorious allegedly cursed gemstone, the 45.52-carat deep blue Hope Diamond has a tumultuous history spanning centuries. Originally purchased in India by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier in the 1660s, legend claims that Tavernier stole the stone from the eye of a Hindu statue, unleashing its wrath. Subsequent owners reportedly experienced financial ruin, suicide, murder, and family tragedy. Today, the Hope Diamond rests safely in the Smithsonian Institution, where it has remained without incident since 1958, perhaps suggesting the curse has finally been broken.
Also known as the "Eye of Brahma," the Black Orlov is a 67.5-carat black diamond with a grim reputation. According to legend, it was once set as an eye in a statue of the Hindu god Brahma in Pondicherry, India, before being stolen by a monk. The curse supposedly led to the suicides of three of its owners, who all leaped to their deaths from tall buildings. In an attempt to break the curse, the diamond was cut into three pieces in 1952. Since then, no further tragedies have been associated with the stone.
Despite its name, the Delhi Purple Sapphire isn't actually a sapphire at all, but an amethyst. This stone was allegedly taken from the Temple of Indra in Kanpur during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 by a British soldier. The soldier's life reportedly fell apart after acquiring the gem, experiencing health and financial problems. Subsequent owners reported similar misfortunes, including depression, illness, and financial troubles. When donated to the Natural History Museum in London in 1943, it came with a note warning that the stone was "trebly accursed and is stained with the blood and dishonor of everyone who has ever owned it."
One of the largest cut diamonds in the world, the 105.6-carat Koh-i-Noor has a unique curse that affects only male owners. According to legend, "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." True to the curse, the diamond changed hands multiple times through warfare and conquest, bringing misfortune to the males who possessed it. Since becoming part of the British Crown Jewels in 1849, it has only been worn by female members of the royal family.
The pale yellow 55.23-carat Sancy Diamond has a history steeped in blood and intrigue. Said to have been first owned by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, who died in battle while carrying it in 1477, the diamond subsequently passed through the hands of several ill-fated owners. One messenger tasked with delivering the diamond was allegedly murdered, but had swallowed the stone to protect it and was found only when his body was cut open. After centuries of changing ownership amid political turmoil, the Sancy now resides peacefully in the Louvre Museum.
The 140.5-carat Regent Diamond began its notorious history when it was allegedly stolen from an Indian mine by a slave who hid it in a self-inflicted wound in his leg. After the slave was murdered for the stone, the diamond passed through several hands, including those of Napoleon Bonaparte. It adorned his sword and later the crown of Louis XV. The stone was blamed for the fall of the French monarchy and the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Today, it is displayed in the Louvre, seemingly dormant in its cursed powers.
While these stories of cursed gemstones captivate our imagination, historians and gemologists point out that many of these tales were embellished or invented to increase the stones' mystique and value. The troubled histories of these gems often reflect the turbulent times in which they existed, when violence and political upheaval were common. Additionally, extremely valuable objects naturally attract theft, conflict, and tragedy. Whether their curses are real or mythological, these infamous gemstones continue to fascinate us with their dark legends and undeniable beauty.