Friday, February 11, 2005

Pandora's diamond?

High tech computer imaging has solved one great historical question.

In 1668, a blue diamond weighing 115 carats was found in India and sold to Louis XIV of France. Cleaned up, cut down, and renamed the French Blue, it became part of the crown jewels.

During the French Revolution, it was stolen. After the statute of limitations had expired, a large blue diamond was sold to one Henry Philip Hope.

Now, computer imaging has demonstrated that this diamond would have fit very neatly inside the French Blue, and that indeed, some of the facets on this stone would likely have been external surfaces on the French Blue.

This new diamond has a history of bringing misfortune to the people who own it, so it's a bit ironic that when the French Blue was opened up, what remained would be called Hope.

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