Comments on: Bombarded with ultraviolet light, the blue Hope diamond glows red http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/08/blue-hope-diamond-glows-an-erie-red-after-exposure-to-ultraviolet-light/ A Web site featuring highlights of the Smithsonian Institution’s scientific research in the fields of anthropology, astrophysics, conservation biology, geology, materials science, paleontology and zoology Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:55:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joe F http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/08/blue-hope-diamond-glows-an-erie-red-after-exposure-to-ultraviolet-light/#comment-12459 Joe F Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:12:53 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=1168#comment-12459 Wonderful article! As for Mr. Leikhim's sunlight question, my years of materials science may provide an interesting answer. If the Hope diamond was worn outside, surely it would be irradiated with ultraviolet light, as was used in this study. However, I'd imagine that the phosphorescence would not be "visible" until the wearer gets out of the sunlight and into a darkened environment. I really do wonder if this now explainable phenomenon could be the origin of the "curse." The bright red glow may have been seen by ancients wearing the gem, and could have thought of this glow as some kind of omen about the stone. Well, at least I'd like to think that this could be a reason for the legendary "curse." Regardless, thanks SI! Wonderful article! As for Mr. Leikhim’s sunlight question, my years of materials science may provide an interesting answer.
If the Hope diamond was worn outside, surely it would be irradiated with ultraviolet light, as was used in this study. However, I’d imagine that the phosphorescence would not be “visible” until the wearer gets out of the sunlight and into a darkened environment. I really do wonder if this now explainable phenomenon could be the origin of the “curse.” The bright red glow may have been seen by ancients wearing the gem, and could have thought of this glow as some kind of omen about the stone. Well, at least I’d like to think that this could be a reason for the legendary “curse.” Regardless, thanks SI!

]]> By: Joe Leikhim http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/08/blue-hope-diamond-glows-an-erie-red-after-exposure-to-ultraviolet-light/#comment-8639 Joe Leikhim Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:34:38 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=1168#comment-8639 I find this very interesting having seen the diamond up close. I did not know it had this property. Since this gem has probably not seen the light of the sun in decades, I wonder if it exhibits this color in sumlight. Did previous owners ever report this effect? I find this very interesting having seen the diamond up close. I did not know it had this property. Since this gem has probably not seen the light of the sun in decades, I wonder if it exhibits this color in sumlight. Did previous owners ever report this effect?

]]> By: New Jersey Gastroenterologist http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/08/blue-hope-diamond-glows-an-erie-red-after-exposure-to-ultraviolet-light/#comment-8492 New Jersey Gastroenterologist Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:19:27 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=1168#comment-8492 Thank you and thanks for posting such an awesome page! This post writer is obviously not writing fillers and fluff but also very sharp too. There usually aint a army of bloggers who can come up with My bff Carolyn referred me about this place a few weeks ago however currently this is the first time I’m visting. Haha, it's getting bookmarked! Yea! Thank you and thanks for posting such an awesome page! This post writer is obviously not writing fillers and fluff but also very sharp too. There usually aint a army of bloggers who can come up with My bff Carolyn referred me about this place a few weeks ago however currently this is the first time I’m visting. Haha, it’s getting bookmarked! Yea!

]]> By: Apryl Nipple http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/08/blue-hope-diamond-glows-an-erie-red-after-exposure-to-ultraviolet-light/#comment-7129 Apryl Nipple Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:46:19 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=1168#comment-7129 Your blog is so informative ¡­ keep up the good work!!!! Your blog is so informative ¡­ keep up the good work!!!!

]]> By: Vesiah http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/08/blue-hope-diamond-glows-an-erie-red-after-exposure-to-ultraviolet-light/#comment-1643 Vesiah Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:21:07 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=1168#comment-1643 Dear Smithsonian, I love rocks and would like to visit the Smithsonian'sNational Gem meseum and meet to see the Hope Diamond face to face. Thanks for all the work in keeping the information, research on speciments for Mankind's knowldege. you guys are amazing... thank you , thank you , thank you ! b regards Vesiah Dear Smithsonian,
I love rocks and would like to visit the Smithsonian’sNational Gem meseum and meet to see the Hope Diamond face to face.

Thanks for all the work in keeping the information, research on speciments for Mankind’s knowldege.
you guys are amazing…

thank you , thank you , thank you !

b regards
Vesiah

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