END
DAY 3
There is a legend about a curse on one of the world’s largest
diamonds. The Hope Diamond was found in a mine in India.
Many people who have owned the diamond have had bad
luck. In 1958 the diamond was donated to the Smithsonian
Institution where it can be seen today.
The Curse of the Hope Diamond 71
Summarize
INCORRECT
CORRECT
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Evalyn Walsh McLean loved mysterious stories. She
was also very, very rich. In 1911, the jeweler Pierre Cartier
wanted to sell her the Hope Diamond. He may have made
up stories about a curse. This was the first time anyone
had said the diamond was cursed.
At first, McLean didn’t want the stone. She liked the
stories, but she didn’t like the stone’s setting. Cartier didn’t
give up. He put the stone in a new setting. This cut the
stone down to 45.52 carats, but it did convince McLean to
buy the gem.
McLean wore the Hope Diamond all the time. She loved
her jewel. She had a lot of bad luck. She lost most of her
money because she spent too much. Her husband left her,
and two of her children died. McLean did not blame this
on any curse. She said, “Tragedies, for anyone who lives,
are not escapable.”
The famous jeweler Harry Winston bought the diamond
after McLean died. In 1958 he gave the diamond to its
current owner, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington,
DC. Now everyone can look at the most beautiful diamond
in the world and not be afraid of being cursed! (Or can
they?)