The Hope Diamond

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. During a 17th century buying trip a French gem dealer, Jean Baptiste Tavernier, acquired a 112 3/16-carat "beau violet" diamond that would eventually yield the Hope Diamond. What country was the only known source of diamonds at this point in time? China India Russia South Africa

2. Which ruler purchased the "beau violet" diamond, which was then given a more brilliant cut to 67 1/8 carats and named the "French Bleu"? Philip II Charles II Louis XIV Peter the Great

3. The French Bleu was stolen from a sealed storage room during the French Revolution. It has been suggested that Georges-Jacques Danton, and leader of the revolution and Minister of Justice, engineered the theft for which of the following reasons? Payment of French Revolution debts For funds to back France's paper currency Bribery of the Austrian and Prussian armies commander Personal gain

4. Which European ruler is believed to have purchased the blue diamond after his wife sold it for financial reasons arising from his less than generous treatment of her? George IV Napoleon Bonaparte Franz Joseph Willem I

5. The George IV blue diamond was sold to cover a portion of the massive debts inherited from George's reign by William IV. What is the enduring legacy of the new owner, Henry Philip Hope, in regard to the blue diamond? The blue diamond became known as the "Hope Diamond". He wrote a book about the blue diamond's curse. He sold the blue diamond for the highest profit ever realized. He discovered that boron content made the diamond blue.

6. What is the basis for the belief that the Hope Diamond is cursed and causes misfortune to those that possess it? Mishaps that previous owners experienced. A "curse" was created to peak a client's interest. All of the answers are correct. Blue diamonds are associated with Yama the Hindu god of death.

7. In 1910 Evalyn Walsh McLean purchased the Hope Diamond. What events in her life have been cited as evidence of the Hope Diamond's curse? Her alcoholic husband was involved in the Teapot Dome Scandal and died while institutionalized for insanity. All of the answers are correct. Her 9 year old son was hit by an automobile and later died during surgery. She lost $100,000 trying to pay the ransom for Charles Lindburgh's son.

8. In 1947, Harry Winston purchased the Hope Diamond from the McLean estate. Which of the following events occurred during Winston's ownership? He ground the Hope Diamond to enhance its appearance. He donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution. He used the Hope Diamond to raise money for charities. All of the answers are correct.

9. What agency was responsible for safely and securely transporting the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution? Federal Bureau of Investigation Treasury Department Internal Revenue Service United States Postal Service

10. The Hope Diamond was sold in 1947 for its lowest all time price of $1.6 million dollars (2006 USD equivalent). However, a 1995 estimate suggested that the diamond could be sold for how much at auction? $6.8 million dollars $200 million dollars $11.3 million dollars $18.3 million dollars