5 Most Cursed Jewellery Pieces in History
Jewellery has long been associated with beauty, wealth, and status, but some pieces come with a dark side: tales of misfortune, tragedy, and even death. Whether these stories are rooted in truth or are mere legends, they add a layer of intrigue to already fascinating pieces. Here are five of the most cursed jewellery pieces in history.
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1. The Hope Diamond
History and Legend: The Hope Diamond, a stunning 45.52-carat deep blue diamond, is perhaps the most famous cursed gem. Discovered in India in the 17th century, it was originally part of a larger stone called the Tavernier Blue,
which Jean-Baptiste Tavernier sold to King Louis XIV of France. The diamond was recut and became part of the French Crown Jewels.
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The Curse: Legend has it that the Hope Diamond brings misfortune and death to its owners. King Louis XIV and many of his descendants met tragic ends. Later owners, including Henry Philip Hope and Evalyn Walsh McLean, also faced significant hardships, including financial ruin and personal loss.
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Interesting Fact: Despite its notorious reputation, the Hope Diamond has been on display at the Smithsonian Institution since 1958, attracting millions of visitors each year.
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2. The Koh-i-Noor Diamond
History and Legend: The Koh-i-Noor, meaning "Mountain of Light," is a 105.6-carat diamond with a history as tumultuous as it is ancient. It has been claimed by various dynasties in India, Persia, and Afghanistan. In the mid-19th century, it was acquired by the British and became part of the Crown Jewels.
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The Curse: The diamond is said to bring bad luck and death to any man who wears it but bestows good fortune to women. Historical accounts link the Koh-i-Noor to numerous battles, betrayals, and bloodshed.
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Interesting Fact: The Koh-i-Noor is now set in the front of the Queen Mother’s Crown, worn by female members of the British royal family.
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3. The Black Orlov
History and Legend: The Black Orlov, also known as the "Eye of Brahma Diamond," is a 67.5-carat black diamond. According to legend, it was stolen from a Hindu shrine in India, where it had been an eye in a statue of the god Brahma.
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The Curse: The curse is said to have caused the suicides of several of its owners. In the early 20th century, two Russian princesses, Nadia Vyegin-Orlov and Leonila Galitsine-Bariatinsky, allegedly leapt to their deaths while in possession of the diamond. An owner in the 1930s, J.W. Paris, also purportedly committed suicide.
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Interesting Fact: The Black Orlov has since been recut and set into a beautiful brooch, breaking the stone into smaller pieces, which some believe may have dissipated the curse.
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4. The Delhi Purple Sapphire
History and Legend: The Delhi Purple Sapphire, actually an amethyst, was allegedly looted from a temple in Kanpur during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. It was brought to England by Colonel W. Ferris, whose family experienced a series of misfortunes soon after.
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The Curse: Those who owned or handled the stone reportedly suffered illnesses, financial ruin, and personal tragedies. One owner, Edward Heron-Allen, claimed the gem brought him nothing but bad luck and encased it in seven boxes before donating it to the Natural History Museum in London with strict instructions that it never be removed.
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Interesting Fact: The stone remains in the museum’s vaults, rarely seen by the public due to the lingering fears of its curse.
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5. The Lydian Hoard
History and Legend: The Lydian Hoard, also known as the Karun Treasure, is a collection of valuable artefacts, including jewellery, dating back to the reign of King Croesus in the 6th century BC. Discovered in Turkey, the treasures were illegally excavated and smuggled out of the country in the 1960s.
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The Curse: The treasures are believed to be cursed, bringing misfortune and death to those who possess them. Several people associated with the looting and sale of the artefacts experienced tragic deaths and mysterious illnesses.
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Interesting Fact: After a prolonged legal battle, many pieces of the Lydian Hoard were returned to Turkey and are now displayed in the Uşak Museum, believed to be free from the curse now that they are back in their homeland.
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Conclusion: The Dark Side of Beauty
While these stories of cursed jewellery may be rooted in superstition and legend, they add a fascinating layer to the history of these already extraordinary pieces. Whether you believe in curses or not, the tales of misfortune surrounding these jewels are a reminder of the powerful human emotions and histories intertwined with objects of immense beauty and value.