The Hope Diamond is one of the most iconic items in the Smithsonian's collections, but this glittering gem is rumored to have a dark side. French monarchs, an heiress, and at least one unlucky postman have met misfortune after possessing it—though does that really constitute a curse? This time on Sidedoor, we track the lore of this notorious gem through the ... Show More
Mar 2024
Diamonds are a Gaul's Best Friend: The Affair of the Diamond Necklace
As Orson Welles would say, "Ah, the French." Here, in a lead up to the French Revolution, we consider the tale of one randy Cardinal, one social climbing almost-noble, one doomed queen, and one hideous diamond necklace. C'est ridicule (especially Elizabeth butchering all French p ... Show More
49m 21s
May 2019
Marie Antoinette and the Diamond Necklace Hoax
Queen Marie Antoinette's reputation was already tarnished by gossip in 1784, but was completely ruined by the implication that she defrauded the crown jewelers, conning them out of a dazzling, expensive diamond necklace. That's the short summary -- but the story itself is a start ... Show More
43m 48s
Jul 2022
L’affaire du collier de la Reine, la pire escroquerie de l’Histoire de France
C'est l’une des plus grandes affaires d’escroquerie du XVIIIème siècle. Celle d’un bijou d’une valeur exorbitante qui a terni pour de bon la réputation de Marie-Antoinette et a précipité la Révolution française. Diamants, fausses lettres, rendez-vous galant et manipulation… Autan ... Show More
15 m