Hope Diamond 'curse' stories at the National Museum of Natural History

The Hope Diamond, on public display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, is associated with popular lore about a curse afflicting its owners that dates back to 19th-century press accounts and anecdotal retellings. The gem's dramatic provenance and the misfortunes of some past owners helped fuel these stories, which have become part of popular narratives about the stone. The Smithsonian documents the diamond's history and provenance while noting that the curse is a matter of legend rather than documented fact.