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Another which has stirred the imagination of many is the blue Hope diamond, with its reputation of bringing back luck. It is 45.52 carats in size and thought to be now in the U.S. This famous Hope diamond was originally owned by Tavernier, the French traveler born in Paris in 1605. In 1668, after time in the East, he sold it to Louis XIV. The Duchess de Montespan, the royal mistress, prevailed upon the King to be allowed to wear the dazzling gem at a Court Ball. From that time it attracted disaster. It was later worn by the unfortunate Marie Antoinette and also lent to the Princess de Lamballe. But both suffered by the guillotine. Some believe that it was the blue diamond which brought them bad luck. It disappeared for 30 years but was later found in possession of a lapidary of Amsterdam, whose son stole it but then committed . It passed to a Frenchman named Beaulieu who took it to London, sold it to a dealer Daniel Eliason, and then died mysteriously the following day. Mr. Henry Thomas Hope was the next purchaser, paying Eliason £18,000 for it. The stone remained in the Hope family until 1901 when Sir Francis Hope sold it to a diamond merchant, who resold it to an American, who sold to M. Jacques Colot, who sold it to a Russian Prince who was stabbed to death. The French dealer from whom he purchased it ended his own life. A Greek merchant met with a after selling the diamond to Abdul Humid, the ex-Sultan of Turkey, who narrowly escaped with his life after losing his throne. A New York jeweler next bought the gem. It was believed to have been lost with the ill-fated Titanic but later seems to have been established as being owned by Mr. McLean, an American millionaire. One wonders — what has happened since?

Most attempts to create artificial diamonds were unsuccessful until 1954 when General Electric was able to produce the conditions which resembled those found deep in the earth. They produced diamond crystals, which are now being exported all over the world. Industrial quality diamonds produced naturally are considered of less value than these synthetic diamonds in meeting manufacturer's needs. Using a simpler process, in 1962, the Toshiba Electric Company in Japan produced synthetic diamonds of up to 1 carat, but they were of industrial, not gem quality. Industrial diamond drills are used in various industries and in cutting through concrete and masonry. Diamond blades are now in demand for use in micro-surgery.

Creation of artificial diamonds require enormous pressures and high temperatures and to this point in time have only been moderately successful in Russia, Ireland and South Africa making industrial quality stones, not gemstones. But who would not prefer to have the opportunity to appreciate and to benefit by the sterling qualities of a beautiful natural jewel?