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The Jeweler Who Mailed the $350 Million Hope Diamond To The Smithsonian For $2.44 In Postage
One of the most iconic treasures in history was sent to its current home in a plain envelop through the mail
The opulent and allegedly cursed Hope Diamond is a world-famous gem that has been passed between royalty, socialites and museums alike over the years. More than 50 years ago, it was in the possession of famed American jeweler Harry Winston, who decided to donate it to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.. Despite its extraordinary value of over $250 million, he made the unusual choice to entrust the US Postal Service to mail it from his collection to the archive, paying just a couple of dollars in postage. .
Dating back to its discovery in 1666 in India’s Kollur Mine, the original 112-carat blue-colored Hope Diamond has developed quite a reputation. It has routinely been associated with scandal and bad luck as a number of its owners have suffered unusual fates, but due to its enormity and worth, it has exchanged hands numerous times between a variety of starstruck buyers.
Unfortunately, it was stolen in France in the late 18th century, disappearing for a number of years. When it finally resurfaced, it had obviously been cut, but the largest known…
