So me s p e c t a c u l a r g e ms t h a t h a v e

s e t ma n y a h e a r t a f l u t t e r

Throughout history and till this modern day gems and jewelry have reigned on someheart to an extent there is now lore surrounding the exploits people have been up toin eth quest of these shiny beauties. We cannot bring you ALL the gems with colorfulpasts, but we can list but a few

TheHortensiaDiamond

This pink beauty was named after the Queen of Holland who also happened to be

Napoleon's step-daughter. The sparkler first glittered on Napoleon's epaulette braidfastening. Later it was fixed on to Empress Eugenie's diamond-encrusted comb. Afterthe French Revolution, the diamond was stolen from the Garde Meuble only to bediscovered later in a bag of treasures that included more pieces of the French CrownJewels; in the loft of an old Parisian house. Legend has it that the man who stole theprecious gems disclosed the secret location moments prior to his execution. Today,

the precious bauble is displayed in the Louvre's Gallerie d'Apollon.

 

The Hope Diamond

The Hope is unique blue diamond that's believed to be cursed, despite its positivemoniker. Also known as "Le Bijou du Roi" ("the King's Jewel"), "Le bleu de France"("the Blue of France"), and the Tavernier Blue the Hope weights 45 carats andcurrently resides in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. Itshistory began in India whence it was first procured by French maverick Tavernier.Having belonged to a succession of French royalty including King Louis the XIV, XVand XVI and British King George, it finally found its way to America. It is set to be soldto benefit the Smithsonian in the near future.

La Peregrina Pearl

After passing from the hands of Spanish, French, and English kings and queens(Bloody Mary included), this gorgeous natural salt water pearl eventually wound upwith an unforgettable American royal—Elizabeth Taylor. In 1969, her husbandRichard Burton purchased the pearl for teh violet eyed beauty, even outbidding aprince in eth process. Taylor is famously said to have misplaced the La Peregrina in aLas Vegas hotel, only to find it later in her dog's mouth.

 

TheDuchess ofWindsor'sPanther Bracelet

This onyx-and-diamond panther bracelet was designed by Cartier and formerlybelonged to the Duchess of Windsor, otherwise known as the American socialiteWallis Simpson. What’s so special about you say? King Edward VIII abdicated theBritish throne to wed the two-time divorcée and commissioned this item specificallyin order to impress his new lady.

TheRegentDiamond

Legend has it that this 141-carat diamond was originally discovered by a slave inIndia who hid the stone in a leg wound for safekeeping. After deaths and multipletrades, the rock went on to embellish royal crowns belonging to Louis XV, XVI, andXVIII and Napoleon Bonaparte's sword. Today, it exists in the Louvre mounted on aGreek diadem that was designed for Empress Eugenie.

 

Koh-i-Noor Diamond

It would be remiss of us if we left the Koh-i-Noor Diamond out of this line up of controversial beauties. The 105-carat jewel has had a rich and colorful past. Itshistory of getting plundered began in 1526. Babur had mentioned in his memoirs,‘Babur-Nāmah’ that the stone first belonged to an unnamed Raja of Gwalior, who wascompelled to yield his prized possession in 1294 to 'Alā'uddīn Khiljī. This wasfollowed by ownership of a sultan followed by a succession of warlords, rulers and

usurpers the rock ended up in the English Crown Jewels collection after the Britishplundered Punjab. It currently resides in the Tower of London, enjoying the place of honor atop the Queen Mother's 1937 coronation crown. It is supposed to bring "great misfortune" to men who wear it and only female members of the British royalfamilies have worn it.