Faceting the Famous Hope Diamond

An illustration of faceting techniques used to produce a precise duplicate of the Smithsonian's famed Hope Diamond, plus gemological information and a bit of history about the famed gem.

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Entertainment

Tags:

• faceting
• machines
• famous
• diamonds

[jeriwykoff]

It's believed the Great Blue was recut in London on a skein with coarse grit, producing the uneven girdle arrangement. You're right on the perverse shape and my YAG version is symmetrical. The deep blue YAG came from a Chinese YAG dealer about 16 years ago when I stocked up for the re--cutting of great diamond projects. I made and sold to a West Virginia banker four Hope necklace replicas 30 years ago. For more info on The Hope, see my novel "The Fallen Fortress.".

[visarsadiku]

Dear Mr. Wykoff,

I'd like to buy a replica of this stone, and I am wondering for how much you sell it.

Please also tell me if it could be cubic zirconium.

Best regards,

V.S

[ragemanchoo82]

The real Hope has facets on some parts of the girdle but other parts are fluid, or ground, rather. One of its broad sides curves outward notable more than the other - hence the 'irregular' cut. This factored into the way it was mounted in its necklace, with that curve at the 'north' position.

I didn't know they made YAG in that color. Its pretty ☺ In some shots it looks like top-quality tanzanite. Morion has a YAG they call tanzanite but they also have a blue sapphire.