The Hope Diamond is an asymmetrical cushion antique brilliant cut, fancy dark grayish-blue natural colored diamond weighing a whopping 45.52 carats and graded as being VS-1 in clarity by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).  The diamonds cut consists of 58 primary facets, plus two extra facets located on the pavilion (lower half) and additional facets along the girdle edge.  The Hope Diamond measures 25.6 mm in length by 21.8 mm wide by 12.00 mm deep.  Diamonds of intense blue color are incredibly rare, however it is the fascinating history and mysterious lore that make the Hope Diamond one of the most famous diamonds in history!

It is believed that the Hope Diamond was originally sourced from the Kollur Mine located in the Golconda region of India, however a factual record of its origin is not known and nobody can say exactly when it was found.  It is known that a French gem merchant, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, sold a 112 carat blue diamond along with 14 other large diamonds upon returning from a trip to India to King Louis XIV of France in 1668.  Records indicate that the diamond was triangular in shape and crudely cut.  The color of the diamond was described by Tavernier as "un beau violet" (a beautiful violet).  In 1668 the diamond was cut down from 112 carats by Sieur Pitau, the court jeweler, and transformed into a 67 carat heart shape brilliant known as the French Blue.  Originally the diamond was set in gold and suspended on a neck ribbon which the King wore on ceremonial occasions.

Louis XV had the court jeweler, Andre Jacquemin, reset the French Blue Diamond into a piece of ceremonial jewelry for the Order of the Golden Fleece (Toison D'Or) in 1749.  The decoration was to be worn only by the King.

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