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Quiz about The Hope Diamond
Quiz about The Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond Trivia Quiz


Don't forget your jeweler's loupe for examining the history of the world's most famous diamond.

A multiple-choice quiz by DR.NO. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
DR.NO
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
294,539
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
1936
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: colbymanram (5/10), Guest 47 (3/10), Guest 66 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
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? Hint


Question 2 of 10
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"? Hint


Question 3 of 10
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? Hint


Question 4 of 10
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? Hint


Question 5 of 10
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? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What is the basis for the belief that the Hope Diamond is cursed and causes misfortune to those that possess it? Hint


Question 7 of 10
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? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. In 1947, Harry Winston purchased the Hope Diamond from the McLean estate. Which of the following events occurred during Winston's ownership? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What agency was responsible for safely and securely transporting the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution? Hint


Question 10 of 10
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? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 15 2024 : colbymanram: 5/10
Mar 06 2024 : Guest 47: 3/10
Feb 21 2024 : Guest 66: 8/10
Jan 29 2024 : Guest 203: 2/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
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?

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.
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"?

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.
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?

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.
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?

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.
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?

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.
6. What is the basis for the belief that the Hope Diamond is cursed and causes misfortune to those that possess it?

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.
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?

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.
8. In 1947, Harry Winston purchased the Hope Diamond from the McLean estate. Which of the following events occurred during Winston's ownership?

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".
9. What agency was responsible for safely and securely transporting the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution?

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".
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?

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.
Source: Author DR.NO

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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