Museum of Natural History Giftshop, Washington D.C.

What to buy here: Hope Diamond Replica Necklace.

Certainly the most famous gem in the world, the Hope Diamond is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The diamond is believed to have it origins in India where it was discovered by a Frenchman who brought it back to France. The legend says that it was stolen from an idol and whoever owns it will be cursed. Whether that is true or not, the gem has passed through the hands of people who have certainly fallen on hard times. Sold first to Louis XIV of France, it passed down to Louis XVI and was lost after a raid on the Royal jewels after the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution.

Although what happened afterwards is uncertain, the diamond eventually ended up in the hands of a British banker by the name of Thomas Hope. It was kept in that family for three generations until his great-grand nephew was forced to sell because of his gambling debts. The diamond arrived in New York in 1902 and was eventually purchased by flamboyant Washington DC socialite, Evalyn Walsh McLean, who wore it often. She suffered misfortunes while owning the gem including the death of two of her children, her alcoholic husband running off, and financial problems. Upon her death, it was sold to Harry Winston, Inc., who then donated the diamond to the Smithsonian Institution.

While not the real thing, of course, the gift shop at the museum sells a beautiful replica that can be worn as a pin or a pendant. The dazzling blue stone is glass and the white stones surrounding it are cubic zirconia. Curse not included.

Price for the pendant is $110.00.