Results: The Mystery & Disappearance of the French Blue Diamond * Conclusion

In 1947 Evalyn Walsh McLean dies, In 1949 The McLean Jewels, including the "Hope Diamond" are sold by her Estate to Harry Winston of New York. Winston displays the Hope Diamond publicly as part of the Court of Jewels, this goes on tour of the United States, Canada and to Cuba. Did you know Harry Winton is known as "The King of Diamonds"?

In 1958 Harry Winston donates the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian where it is exhibited in the new Gem Hall. The IRS intercepted the donation process as Harry Winston had to negotiate his tax deduction for the sizeable donation. The IRS Disputed the value of this famous gem and sought appraisals from multiple sources. They agreed upon a value. The IRS required the diamond to be a "tenancy in common" and that Winston would transfer 1/10th of the value each year for a decade and then The Diamond would be the property of the Smithsonian entirely. They signed a Deed of Gift Contract. This complicated insuring the Hope Diamond. Did you know that Harry Winston mailed the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian?

In 1962 with the intercession of First Lady Jackie Kennedy the Hope Diamond was loaned to the Louvre in Paris, France for an exhibition "Ten Centuries of French Jewels." In 1965 the Hope Diamond goes to South Africa for the Rand Easter Show in Johannesburg. In 1982 The Hope Diamond goes on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the 50th Anniversary of Harry Winston Inc. Were you aware that there was a contest to choose a New Setting for the Hope Diamond to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Harry Winston Inc.?

In 1997 the Hope Diamond is placed in the Harry Winston Gallery of the remodeled Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Gems in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Have you ever visited this museum?

Experiments with computer generated models of the Tavernier, French Blue and the Hope diamonds prove their long suspected relationship. The Hope Diamond IS the French Blue. A smaller blue diamond long suspected to be a part of the French Blue when cut down, has proved NOT to be any part of the French Blue. Did you know Diamonds have DNA?