For longer than cultures can report, jewelry has served a symbolic purpose in human history. From a beaded ceremonial piece in a remote village to the jewel-encrusted crown of an emperor in the capital city, jewelry tells us who’s in charge. And from the unique engagement rings around the world to the signet rings of history’s leaders, jewelry tells us who’s connected.

We can learn a lot about culture and history just by looking at jewelry, and that’s been true for thousands of years. Here, we’ll explore seven of the most fabulous and most expensive pieces of jewelry in the world today, and we’ll check out some of the history behind each piece.

The Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond is counted among one of the most impressive gemstones in the history of the world. It was mined in Andhra Pradesh, India, where boron in the surrounding hills gave the diamond a blue hue. The Hope Diamond has a long and storied past since it was first purchased in 1666 by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. Then, it was cut and renamed ?The French Blue? before it was sold to King Louis XIV, the French king best known for his extravagance and flamboyant style.
However, the gem was stolen from the king in 1791 before resurfacing in the possession of the Hope family in London almost fifty years later. Nowadays, the Hope Diamond is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

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