Synopses & Reviews
From the diamond mines of India and the royal palaces of Europe to the jewelers of Fifth Avenue and the exhibit halls of the Smithsonian, the true story behind the most infamous gemstone in the world
Since its discovery in seventeenth-century India, the Hope diamond, a glimmering deep-blue gem weighing more than 45 carats, has been shrouded in mystery and steeped in intrigue. In this groundbreaking work, Dr. Richard Kurin goes beyond the speculation to reveal the truth behind a legendary stone.
The Hope diamond's history is tied to the French Revolution, the machinations of British King George IV, the Gilded Age in America, and a number of adept jewelers, including Pierre Cartier and Harry Winston. In the twentieth century, the story of the Hope diamond's curse made it more famous than ever before; some six million people visit it every year at the Smithsonian Institution. But this legend, which Kurin puts to rest once and for all, is only one small piece of a long and lustrous story that moves between ancient religion and modern magic, royal power and class rivalry, revenge and greed.
Kurin, a cultural anthropologist, has spent more than a decade on the trail of the legendary gem. His narrative is filled with fascinating places and people -- from the fabled diamond city of Golconda to the fabulously rich heiress Evalyn McClean to Jackie Kennedy and her role in one of the Hope's few twentieth-century trips abroad. Richly illustrated, Hope Diamondworks in a grand historical tradition -- depicting the specific to reveal the universal.
Synopsis
The author, director of the Smithsonian Institution's National programs, has spent more than a decade on the trail of the history of the Hope Diamond. His narrative is filled with fascinating places and people, from the fabled diamond city of Golconda to the fabulously rich heiress Evalyn McLean.
Synopsis
The true story behind the most famous–and infamous–stone in the world.
The Hope diamond is not only exceptionally beautiful it has a long and incredibly colorful history. That history – spread over three continents – features diamond mining in India, the French Revolution, the machinations of British King George IV, the Gilded Age in America and a number of very clever jewelers including Pierre Cartier and Harry Winston. In the 20th century, the myth of the Hope diamond curse made the diamond more notorious and famous than ever before, but it is only one small piece of a long and lustrous history.
Dr. Kurin, who is a cultural anthropologist, has spent over a decade on the trail of the Hope, from India, to France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, and England. His narrative is filled with fascinating places and people – from the fabled diamond city of Golconda to the fabulously rich heiress Evalyn McLean to Jackie Kennedy and her pivotal role in one of the Hope's few 20th century trips abroad.
Synopsis
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About the Author
Dr. Richard Kurin is the director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage where he oversees the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and other cultural heritage programs. A former Fulbright fellow with a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, he is the author of Reflections of a Culture Broker: A View from the Smithsonian. Dr. Kurin has been awarded the Smithsonian Secretary's Gold Medal for Exceptional Service and the American Folklore Society's Botkin Prize for lifetime achievement.