Rocks and Minerals - The Hope Diamond

Well, since I keep claiming that my favorite thing (besides Budd) is rocks and minerals, just wanted to post a brief entry on the Hope Diamond.  Budd and I saw a small documentary last night on the Hope (narrated by Bill Kurtis who always pronounces "murder" as "myerder"), and it was quite interesting.  We all know the myth about how the Hope was plucked from the eye of a god-statue (which really isn't true), but what I found most fascinating was the scientific aspect of the diamond.  It holds a phosphorus (glowing) state when exposed to ultraviolet light longer than any other diamond known to man.  The brilliant Hope Diamond turns red when exposed to this light, and remains that way for about 30-45 seconds.  I was also interested to learn that Harry Winston, the famous jeweler who donated the Hope to the Smithsonian, never would allow his photograph to be shown until after his death, and his son, the current CEO of Harry Winston Jewels, has carried on that tradition.  The Hope Diamond has always held particular fascination for me since I first saw it in the Smithsonian.  Here it is, in all its glory.