Cursed Jewels and Indian Idols

This morning, I came across a story about the Delhi Purple Sapphire, which will soon be on display at London's Natural History Museum. One of a handful of famous gems that are reputed to be cursed, the stone spent decades tucked away at the back of a dusty cabinet, accompanied by a note from its last owner, which read, “This stone is trebly accursed and is stained with the blood, and the dishonour of everyone who has ever owned it."

Like other "bloodstained" jewels, such as the Hope Diamond and the Black Orlov, the Delhi Purple Sapphire was brought to Europe from India. (In fact, a remarkable percentage of cursed gems are said to have been pried from the eyes of Indian idols.) Once it left its native land, the stone began to take its revenge on anyone who touched it.

One by one, the owners of the Delhi Purple Sapphire lost their fortunes, their health, and finally their lives. (A singer who wore the sapphire only once managed to keep her life--but lost her voice.) Eventually, the stone was donated to the museum, enclosed in seven locked boxes and surrounded by good-luck charms. A typewritten warning advised anyone who opened the boxes to cast the rock into the sea.

The Hope Diamond and the Black Orlov share similar dark histories. Those who've owned the Black Orlov (including two princesses) have displayed an unfortunate tendency to fling themselves from high places. The list of lives rumored to have been ruined by the Hope Diamond is even longer, and includes Marie Antoinette herself, who wore the diamond while she still had a head around which to wear it.

Read more about the Delhi Purple Sapphire here.

(Below: The infamous Hope Diamond.)