The Legendary Hope Spinel and Hope Pearl: Rare Gems That Captivated the World
The Hope Spinel and the Hope Pearl rank among the most iconic masterpieces in Henry Philip Hope’s collection. Together, they share the legendary stature of the renowned Hope Diamond.
Far beyond their rarity, these exquisite jewels tell the story of an empire’s rise and decline, embodying the perfect fusion of artistic craftsmanship, wealth, and history. Over centuries, they have passed through royal treasuries, private vaults, and prestigious auctions — each chapter adding new depth to their enduring mystique.
Today, we trace their extraordinary journey. We rediscover the timeless allure that continues to fascinate collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.
Quick Highlights: Hope Spinel & Hope Pearl
Here’s a quick look at what makes the legendary Hope Spinel and the majestic Hope Pearl truly extraordinary.
Hope Spinel – The King of Spinels
- Rare Size and Color: 50.13-carat octagonal spinel from Tajikistan’s historic Kuh-i-Lal mine. Deep purplish-pink hue, near-adamantine luster, unmatched clarity and cut.
- Extraordinary Journey: Once the largest and finest of 16 spinels in Henry Philip Hope’s collection; first public auction in 1917 after family disputes.
- World Record: Sold in 2015 at Bonhams London for £962,500 (~$1.2M), setting a world record price per carat for spinel.
Hope Pearl – The Baroque Queen of the Sea
- Largest Saltwater Pearl: 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 450 carats; once considered the largest natural saltwater baroque pearl.
- Unique Bicolor Beauty: Irregular pear shape with creamy white fading into rich brown.
- Regal Setting: Mounted in a miniature crown with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
- Auction History: Sold at Christie’s in 1886 to Garrard & Co.; occasionally displayed in museum exhibitions.
Together, the Hope Spinel and Hope Pearl combine rare beauty, flawless craftsmanship, and dramatic history, embodying the timeless allure of the Hope Collection. First, we turn to the Hope Spinel, a rare gem from the historic Kuh-i-Lal mine.
The Hope Spinel – A Rare Gem from the Kuh-i-Lal Mine
Among lovers of colored gemstones, spinel has become an undeniable rising star in recent years. Often mistaken for ruby or sapphire in the past, spinel now enjoys recognition for its brilliance and diversity of color — ranging from vivid reds and deep purples to rich blues and blacks.
The most coveted varieties — “Pigeon’s Blood” red spinel and the legendary “Jedi” spinel — stand among the finest treasures of the gem world. And within this elite category, one gem shines brighter than most: the Hope Spinel, a masterpiece that bears the name of its famous owner.
Read More on Peonyjewels Blog:
🔹 Pigeon’s Blood? Royal Red? Understanding Six Major Ruby Grading Systems
🔹 The Ultimate Guide to Red Gemstones: From Classic Ruby to the Rarest Red Diamond
Origin and Characteristics
Miners extracted the Hope Spinel from the Kuh-i-Lal region of Tajikistan. Weighing an impressive 50.13 carats, it features a refined octagonal cut. Its deep purplish-pink hue, exceptional clarity, and flawless cut establish it as one of the most celebrated spinels ever discovered. Jewelers mounted the gem in a 19th-century silver and gold brooch, where it dazzles with unmatched brilliance.
The Hope Family Legacy
The story of this gem is inseparable from its owner, Henry Philip Hope. He descended from a Scottish trading family that amassed immense wealth during the Seven Years’ War. Over time, the Hope family expanded into international finance, providing loans to governments such as Sweden, Russia, and Portugal.
In return, they gained exclusive rights to trade in sugar, tobacco, grain, and diamonds. This trade propelled them to become one of the wealthiest families in Europe.
This vast fortune gave Henry Philip Hope the means to indulge in his passion for gemstones. Beginning around 1800, he embarked on a global pursuit of extraordinary jewels. In just 39 years, he amassed over 700 gems, including 16 remarkable spinels. Among them, the Hope Spinel was the largest and finest specimen of all.
A Gem that Traveled Through History
When Henry Philip Hope passed away in 1839 without an heir, his vast collection was inherited by his nephews. However, disputes over eight of the most valuable jewels, including the Hope Spinel, led to a decade-long inheritance battle.
Eventually, Henry Thomas Hope became the owner of the spinel, but the fortune did not last. By the third generation, Henry Francis Hope, a notorious gambler, squandered the family wealth and began auctioning off the jewels.
In 1917, the Hope Spinel appeared at a Christie’s auction in London. After over 200 rounds of fierce bidding, it was purchased by Lady Mount Stephen, a close friend of Queen Mary, for £1,060.
Record-Breaking Auction
Nearly a century later, in 2015, the gem resurfaced at Bonhams London, once again captivating collectors. It sold for an astonishing £962,500 (approximately USD $1.2 million) — setting a world record for price per carat of spinel.
The Hope Pearl – The Baroque Queen of the Sea
The final masterpiece of the “Hope” collection is an extraordinary baroque natural saltwater pearl unlike any other.
At 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) in length, with a circumference between 8.25 cm and 11.5 cm, and weighing 450 carats, the Hope Pearl was once considered the largest saltwater baroque pearl ever discovered.
An Unusual Beauty
Like all baroque pearls, the Hope Pearl features a wonderfully irregular, pear-shaped form — yet its coloration sets it apart. One end glows with creamy white iridescence, while the other fades into a rich brown tone, creating a unique natural gradient that fascinated gem enthusiasts for generations.
In 1934, the “Pearl of Lao Tzu” (also known as the “Pearl of Allah”) surpassed the Hope Pearl as the largest saltwater baroque pearl. Nonetheless, jewelers continue to celebrate the Hope Pearl for its unmatched artistic craftsmanship and regal design.
A Jewel Fit for Royalty
The smaller end of the pearl features an elegant miniature diamond crown, adorned with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds — a setting that enhances its grandeur. This design creates a piece both majestic and sophisticated, often celebrated as the “queen of baroque pearls.”
In 1886, the Hope Pearl was auctioned at Christie’s, where Garrard & Co., the official jeweler to the British royal family, acquired it for £9,000 — a significant sum at the time.
After passing through several private collections, the Hope Pearl eventually found a permanent home with a British collector. Today, this remarkable gem occasionally reappears in museum exhibitions, where visitors can marvel at the former “king of baroque pearls.”
The Enduring Legacy of Henry Philip Hope
From the early 1800s, Henry Philip Hope dedicated nearly four decades to curating one of the most extraordinary private gemstone collections in history. His legacy endures not only in the Hope Diamond, Hope Spinel, and Hope Pearl, but also in the cultural fascination they continue to inspire.
Though we may never own these treasures, their stories remind us of humanity’s timeless pursuit of beauty and rarity — a passion that still burns brightly today.
A Modern Reflection – Peonyjewels and the Spirit of Hope
At Peonyjewels, we celebrate the artistry and gemstone reverence that defined the Hope Collection. Our handmade vintage earrings and jewelry reflect the same devotion to craftsmanship and individuality, with each design carrying a spark of that enduring legacy of elegance and wonder.
Explore more at Peonyjewels.com — where history, artistry, and emotion meet in every handcrafted piece.
