DEATH IN HOPE DIAMOND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14263, 7 January 1910, Page 7

DEATH IN HOPE DIAMOND.

GEM'S SINISTER RECORD. A cable from Paris, published in the London newspapers, says: — is now confirmed that amongst those who perished in the sinking of the Messageries Maritimes Company's steamer La Seyne in a collision off Singapore was Habib Effendi, a Persian dealer in precious • stones and the last possessor of the ill-omened gem known as the "Hope" or "Blue" diamond, which, according to legend, brings an unhappy end to whomsoever owns it. It was carried into France and sold to Louis XIV. by Tavernier, who died of yellow fever after having been completely ruined. It passed successively into the hands of Mme. De Montespan, Fouquet, and Marie Antoinette, who all came to a violent end. Since the Revolution half a score of others have held the fatal stone, and all have died miserably. Its penultimate owner was Abdul Hamid, the Sultan of Turkey, whose misfortunes have followed thickly on each other; whilst Gholub Bey, the eunuch, who had charge of the gem, was hanged on the Balata Bridge. Now Habib Effendi, who bought it not long ago for £80,000, has perished by drowning. It is pot known whether Tie had the "Blue" diamond on board with him, but the superstitious will certainly connect his death with the fatal jewel. •