A similar blue diamond was in the possession of a London diamond merchant in 1812, this diamond which is now known as the "Hope Diamond" is believed to be the re-cut French Blue. It was acquired by King George IV, but after his death in 1830 it was sold privately to clear his debts.
It next appeared in the gem collection of Henry Philip Hope in 1839. It had a number of incarnations including being re-set by Pierre Cartier in 1909. It was acquired by New York jeweller, Harry Winston, who donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958. The most recent examinations show it to weigh 45.52 carats and is described as "Fancy dark grayish-blue". The stone exhibits a unique delayed fluorescence; like many other gemstones, it emits a dim light under ultraviolet light, but when the light source is removed, the diamond produces a brilliant red phosphorescence.
The diamond is legendary for the misfortunes it supposedly visits upon its possessors, a fate that does not seem to have afflicted the Smithsonian. Note, however, that almost all prominent gems have such legends associated with them. See curse.