SUPERSTITIONS IN STONES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 29 July 1909, Page 3

SUPERSTITIONS IN STONES.

Those who are superstitious on the subject of precious stones will be interested in the fact recorded in Saturday’s cables that the famous blue Hope diamond, which a few weeks ago was the property of Abdul Hamid, has again changed hands. It has been sold in Paris for ,£16,000. This stone has had a remarkable history. It is without doubt the one which was stolen from the crown of an Indian Rajah early in the seventeenth century, and brought to France by that romantic traveller, Jean Baptiste Tavernier, Baron d’Aubonne. At the beginning of last century it was bought by a Mr Hope, a banker, and it is said that all his heirs who by turn owned the blue diamond met with tragic ends. It remained in the Hope family until the demands of Lord Francis Hope made its sale necessary. Lord Francis sold the stone to an American named Frankel, who bought the ill-luck with it, for the American crisis last year compelled him to sell it, and it passed into the possession of Abdul Hamid. The ex-Sultan did not enjoy possession long, and it will be interesting to see what happens to the diamond’s latest purchaser.