U.S. Researchers Identify Origin of Hope Diamond

Diamond experts have long suspected a connection to France, but the new study shows exactly how the stone would have fitted inside the larger French Blue Diamond, according to Smithsonian gem curator Jeffrey Post.

"It turns out it actually fits perfectly in only one way, but at that orientation, when you saw how it fit, you could see why it was cut the way it is," he said.

Post said the analysis took a year with researchers using sketches from pre-Revolutionary France, scientific studies of the French crown jewels and computer models.

"What is exciting is that we are constantly learning new information about our collections as we apply new high-tech research methods," Post said.

The research helps confirm that the deep blue Hope Diamond originated with a 115-carat stone found in India in 1668. That stone was sold to King Louis XIV of France, who had it cut into the 69-carat French Blue, which was stolen during the French Revolution.

Twenty years later, after the statute of limitations expired, a large blue diamond was put up for sale in London which was purchased by Henry Philip Hope.

Donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History by jeweler Harry Winston, the now 45.52-carat stone is the largest blue diamond in the world.