Boron and the Hope Diamond

The 45.52 carat Hope Diamond is in a platinum setting surrounded by sixteen white pear-shaped and cushion-cut diamonds designed by Pierre Cartier in about 1910.

Boron is also responsible for the colour of the world's most famous blue diamond, the 46-carat, ironically named, Hope Diamond.

In comparison, the Bulgari Blue diamond, which is currently for sale at Christie's is the diameter of a quarter and weighs in at just 11 carats.

In addition, the boron and carbon matrix in the Hope actually has a real scientific puzzle hanging over it. When irradiated with ultraviolet light, the diamond glows a fierce orange, like the world's most expensive charcoal briquette.

The effect lasts for several minutes. Other blue diamonds also phosphoresce, but none in quite the same way, and scientists don't know why there's so much variability.

There is a legend that this passionate orange colour is linked to the curse of the hope diamond and the alleged beheadings, drownings, stabbings, suicides, overthrown monarchs and various other misfortunes attributed to the Hope Diamond, but that is the stuff of legends and film makers.