Diamond

French Blue

MNHN-NC

• detail 1
  Detail French Blue MNHN-NC
  Zoom on the central seven facets
  
• detail 2
  Detail French Blue MNHN-NC
  Other view
  
• 3D

general description

This blue cubic zirconia (zirconium oxide) replica makes it possible to retrieve what was one of the most beautiful of the French diamonds, the so-called "Bleu français" (“French Blue”) also named "diamant bleu de la Couronne" (“Blue diamond of the Crown”).

This diamond of 69 carats was cut from the blue diamond brought back in the 1670’s by Tavernier. This diamond was not only exceptional by its purity but also by its color and its asymmetrical size. Indeed, this diamond was cut in the shape of triangle with 7 arrangements of facets (what is more difficult than the traditional size "while shining" with 8 facets).

This diamond was the second gem of the French Crown jewels, after the "Sancy" diamond (visible at the Louvre) and before the "Grand Saphir", belonging now to the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (also known as “Ruspoli”).

Alas, this exceptional diamond was unfortunately stolen in 1792 and has never been found since. One knows it via an engraving of the Golden Fleece emblem of Louis XV. Historians think that the diamond was clandestinely recut in London as the “Hope” diamond. The "Hope" diamond is now visible at the Smithsonian of Washington.

The replica of the "French Blue " is not currently displayed. It was cut by Mr. Scott Sucher an American lapidarist and expert in great historical diamonds and was purchased for the Muséum by Mr. François Farges.

Thanks to the 3D view, one can observe all the facets of this diamond.

Photography and 3D view: A. Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire, © MNHN.

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