| A Diamond appraisal is basically a clinical process that | | | | Seeta. |
| is 75% objective and scientific, and 25% subjective, | | | | The Tavenier Blue came into possession of a French |
| being based on personal judgment. That is because | | | | traveler by the same name in 1660, and eventually |
| three of the four criteria used by diamond dealers to | | | | became part of the French Crown Jewels. This |
| evaluate stones prior to purchasing from diamond | | | | diamond was stolen during the French Revolution in |
| wholesalers are based on measurements; carat, or | | | | 1792. The Hope Diamond, which was cut from the |
| mass and weight, color and clarity, whereas the fourth | | | | Tavenier Blue, surfaced in England in 1812. It eventually |
| criterion is cut. This is important; certified loose | | | | wound up in the collection of one Henry Philip Hope in |
| diamonds that are cut properly are worth far more | | | | 1824. The diamond came to the U.S. when a Hope |
| than those that are not. | | | | descendant, Francis Hope, married an American |
| In short, diamond appraisal is a somewhat dry and | | | | actress named May Yohe in 1894. It changed hands |
| academic exercise in which a dollar value is placed on | | | | several times over the next sixty years before New |
| a stone that throughout history has been surrounded | | | | York diamond dealer Henry Winston donated it to the |
| by fabulous legends and to which has been attributed | | | | Smithsonian Institution, where it remains on display. |
| mystical and even supernatural qualities. When dealing | | | | A diamond appraisal and analysis in 2005 confirmed |
| with diamond wholesalers, it is good to know the | | | | that the Hope Diamond was indeed a piece of the |
| business end of matters and know that what you are | | | | Tavernier Blue; although it has been said to have a |
| purchasing are certified loose diamonds that have | | | | "death curse," the fact is that most people who have |
| been subject to a thorough diamond appraisal; | | | | had possession of the Hope Diamond died of natural |
| however, one should not lose sight of the romance | | | | causes at advanced ages. |
| and mystery that surrounds these rare and valuable | | | | Other Gems of Fame |
| gems. | | | | Other famous diamonds include the Taylor-Burton, |
| The Most Famous of Them All | | | | tribute to a tragic couple who could live neither |
| When it comes to mystery and legend, the Hope | | | | together nor apart; at over 68 carats, it fetched $5 |
| Diamond tops them all. It is not the largest diamond | | | | million at auction in 1979. Most recently in 2002, the |
| ever cut, but has had one of the most convoluted and | | | | "Incomparable Diamond" - a huge stone of 407.48 |
| lengthy histories of any diamond in existence. | | | | carats - made an appearance on the Internet auction |
| Like most certified loose diamonds, the Hope Diamond | | | | site Ebay. At a reserve price of £15 million UK |
| was cut from a larger crystal, which in this case was | | | | pounds - over $30 million US dollars and most likely |
| the Tavenier Blue, a crudely-cut stone that was | | | | determined by a diamond appraisal - it is small wonder |
| allegedly mined in the legendary Golconda region of | | | | that the gem has remained unsold. |
| India and stolen from a statue of the Hindu goddess | | | | |