Nov
10

November 10, 1958

The Hope Diamond is presented to the Smithsonian by Harry Winston, a New York gem merchant. The stone was acquired by Winston in 1949 from the estate of Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean, who received it from her husband, Edward B. McLean, in 1911. The diamond’s known history dates to 1830 when David Eliason, a noted gem dealer, sold the stone to Henry Thomas Hope.

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Posted: 10 November 2010
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.