Coolest window ever!

[Lady_Disdain]

A lead model of the French Blue was recently found, which allowed experts to show how the Hope was cut from it. But it also shows other interesting things. For example, the French Blue was windowed. No, it was not a matter of lack of knowledge about critical angles that led to this. It was probably done deliberately. The window was shaped like a sunburst, similar to Louis XIV's symbol (he was known as the Sun King). It was likely set on a gold background, allowing the colour of the metal to shine through the window, creating a bright yellow sunburst on a blue background. Guess what the colours of the Bourbon kings were? What an amazing symbol of the monarchy the gem must have been.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/hope-diamond-was-once-symbol-louis-xiv-sun-king-180949482/

 

[VapidLapid]

dang that's a nice window. makes me even more sad that it got chopped up.

 

[JewelFreak]

That is so COOL! Great new info. It was such a shame it was re-cut & maimed, now even more so. Thanks for putting that up!

--- Laurie

 

[chrono]

Wow, they should have left it as it was. The historical meaning behind it adds so much provenance which has been sadly dismissed.

 

[Starzin]

What an amazing discovery!! To think also that gem cutters knew how to do this back in the 17thC

Wow, they should have left it as it was. The historical meaning behind it adds so much provenance which has been sadly dismissed.

Absolutely!

 

[swissmiss]

wow. That's amazing!!!

 

[gregchang35]

wow! you learn something new everyday!
though, I prefer louis XIV version...

 

[FrekeChild]

Wow. That's so cool. Such a shame....

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

What a piece of real history that was. Rather ingenuis!


Annette