How Many Carats is the Hope Diamond?

The Hope Diamond is one of the most iconic jewelry pieces in history, and its size and beauty have made it a legend. It was initially extracted from the Kollur Mine in Guntur, India, during the 17th century and has since been moved across the world. The diamond has graced many royal homes and collections, including King Louis XIV of France and King George IV of England. It resides at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., attracting over four million visitors annually.

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The Hope Diamond weighs 45.52 carats or 9.104 grams. This massive diamond is truly a sight to behold. Its blue hue comes from trace amounts of boron within its structure, which gives it an otherworldly appearance. Its size has attracted researchers looking to learn more about diamond formation and how such a large gemstone could have formed in nature without human intervention.

To learn more about CT TW diamonds and carats, read our article.

Hope Diamond is an IIb diamond, meaning scarce diamonds with predominantly carbon and traces of boron in their lattice strBorone.

Hope Diamond Color

The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous types IIb diamonds in the world. It has captivated admirers with its striking color and luminescence. The gemstone is renowned for its red glow from within its blue-gray exterior.

The Hope Diamond’s unique and beautiful hue can be attributed to the Boron atoms formed in the crystal during formation. These atoms replace carbon atoms, imparting a faint blue tint that gives the diamond a gray-color component. Moreover, plastic deformation-related defects create an absorption at wavelengths less than 500 nm, further grayish shading the stone’s coloration.

This combination of blue hues and little grays makes the Hope Diamond captivating, but its mesmerizing phosphorescence sets it apart from other diamonds. Phosphorescence occurs when certain materials absorb energy from light sources or radiation and then release it slowly over time as visible light—in this case, red light. Researchers have thoroughly studied the Hope Diamond’s luminescence and found two distinct bands of phosphorescence centered at 500nm and 660 nm, respectively.

Due to its strikingly vivid coloration, the Hope Diamond has become one of the most admired gems in history. Many believe that it brings luck and fortune to whoever wears it. Its mysterious beauty continues to draw attention more than three centuries after its discovery, a testament to its lasting appeal throughout time.

Experts estimate that the diamond would be worth well over $230 million if evaluated on its market value today in 2023–a far cry from when it was first excavated! Due to its immense financial value, great lengths have been taken to ensure this magnificent stone remains safe and secure in its home at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Those who visit can appreciate both its monetary value as well as its natural beauty.

In addition to being a highly sought-after gemstone due to its size and rarity, scientists believe that studying this gem will provide invaluable insight into how diamonds form naturally–a process that continues to baffle even our most knowledgeable geologists today.

To learn more about diamonds, please read our articles:

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