The Hope Diamond is the largest diamond in the U.S. at over 112 carats. The hope diamond has had several owners throughout the years including King Louis XV of France. In 1949 it was purchased by a company which sent the diamond on a tour around the U.S. Today the Hope Diamond is part of the Smithsonian Institute.
The Hope diamond has left the Smithsonian only four times since it was donated. In 1962 it was exhibited for a month at the Louvre in Paris, France, as part of an exhibit entitled Ten Centuries of French Jewelry. In 1965 the Hope diamond traveled to South Africa where it was exhibited at the Rand Easter Show in Johannesburg. In 1984 the diamond was lent to Harry Winston Inc., in New York, as part of the firm’s 50th anniversary celebration. In 1996 the Hope diamond was again sent to Harry Winston Inc., in New York, this time for cleaning and some minor restoration work.