Jewellery is the most common item to be handed down by a family member after death. Very precious heirlooms with great sentimental value given to the next generation.
Many people believe, however, that jewellery can hold bad karma or juju.
For instance, you’d refuse to wear an engagement or wedding ring if once owned by a divorcee. Be less likely to wear haunted or cursed jewellery.
There are some very famous pieces of haunted jewellery. Owned by royalty, including serial husband King Henry VIII. For which many are considered cursed.
Even if priceless, you wouldn’t want to wear them to dinner.
The Black Prince’s Ruby
Some precious stones soak up the emotions of their owners. They can change colour depending on how you’re feeling.
Mood stones change colour according to the emotions of their wearer: blue for calm, yellow for happiness, and red for anger. This red stone known as The Black Prince’s Ruby was actually a low-value spinel.
Given the name “the great imposter.” In the 14th Century, the stone belonged to Abū Sa’īd, a prince of Granada. Peter of Castille, aka Don Pedro the Cruel, desired Abū Sa’īd’s wealth. Legend states he stabbed the prince to death.
Then Don Pedro gave the ruby to The Black Prince. Son of Edward III in England. In exchange for services rendered.
The ruby worn during many battles. Including Agincourt, where Henry V wore it while almost dying when struck by a battle axe.
Richard III wore the stone at the Battle of Bosworth. Killed in battle.
This cursed and haunted jewel has absorbed the hatred and anger of battle. Caused misfortune and death on all it’s owners – including Henry VIII.
Oh so unlucky when choosing his wives.
The Hope Diamond
The blue diamond, featured in the movie Titanic, was actually based on real-life jewellery – The Hope Diamond.
The stone, mined in India, first “owned” by King Louis XVI. Worn by his wife, Marie Antoinette. Louis only had the diamond for four years. All ended when citizens beheaded both during the Revolution.
The diamond transferred to the French National Treasury. Stolen only a year later during looting.
Smuggled into London and ending up in the hands of King George VI. Sold off after his death to pay off many debts.
Next owner Simon Frankel, sold it to also pay off debts.
Ended up with socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean. After she bought got it…
- Her daughter died of an overdose
- Then her son in a car accident
- Her husband died of brain atrophy
- The family business then went bankrupt
The cursed diamond is now sits dormant in the Smithsonian National Museum.
The Delhi Purple Sapphire
The Delhi Purple Sapphire was originally stolen from the Temple of Indra (India) in 1857 by a British soldier.
From there, it fell into the hands of Colonel W. Ferris, who was extremely unfortunate from the very day he possessed it. He went bankrupt. Lost everything he owned. His health taking a rapid decline.
After dying, the stone was passed to his son. He went bankrupt and fell ill. Then passing off the stone to a friend. The friend committed suicide! But the stone wasn’t done with Ferris’ son. The friend gifted it back.
From there…
- It found its way to a singer who lost her voice and never sang again.
- An English man named Edward Heron-Allen, who declared the sapphire to be “stained with blood,” before throwing it into Regent’s Canal.
- When the canal was dredged, the stone turned up and was given back to Heron-Allen by a dealer. He locked it up inside seven locked boxes. And inside a bank vault.
Upon his death, the sapphire (actually an amethyst), was given to the Natural History Museum in London.
—
This has been a cautionary tale. If you inherit any jewellery, think carefully before you putting it on.
Research the history. And hope not to find a dark and sinister past!