Blue Mystery: The Story of the Hope Diamond [Paperback]

Susanne Steinem Patch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

The complete history, mysterious curse, and probable origin in India is explored in this book that also traces the gem stone's roster of owners. 24 illustrations, 4 in color.

Product Details

• Paperback: 92 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 2 Sub edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810927977
• ISBN-13: 978-0810927971
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,751,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Basic Facts about the Hope Diamond, February 14, 2001

By 

Courtney250 "Courtney250" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Mystery: The Story of the Hope Diamond (Paperback)

This book is concise and informative, with an overview of basic facts about the Hope Diamond, it's history and owners. Anyone with an unreasonable fear of the Hope Diamond will be particularly interested in the fact that Cartier manufactured the "curse" to sell the diamond based on a novel, "The Moonstone." "Blue Mystery" is an excellent precursor to "Queen of Diamonds", a fascinating autobiography of Evalyn Walsh McLean, the last private owner of the Hope Diamond.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good solid read, November 21, 2010

By 

Richard W. Wise, G.G. "Author: Secrets Of Th... (Lenox, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Mystery: The Story of the Hope Diamond (Paperback)

Patch does a good job of debunking the prevailing myth of bad luck that has dogged The Hope Diamond in recent years.

Jean Baptiste Tavernier, the protagonist in my 17th Century novel, The French Blue, was the man who brought the blue diamond to France and sold it to Louis XIV in 1669. Tavernier was one of the most remarkable men of an age known for remarkable men. He survived six voyages to Persia and India in an age when the average life span for a European in East Asia was two monsoons.

For his trouble Tavernier received 147 kilograms of gold for the blue diamond, 147,000 ounces) was created a nobleman, became Baron of Aubonne and lived to the ripe old age of 84.

If that is bad luck, sign me up!

Richard W. Wise
author: The French Blue

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Hope Diamond, is it cursed?, April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Mystery: The Story of the Hope Diamond (Paperback)

The book intresed me in many ways! Just think all of the owners and some family members died in a horrible way. I've always had a special intrest in mysteries like this one. And probaly like others I want to get a chance to see it. Now that I've read the book I'm to scared!