In an attempt to escape the alleged curse, the diamond was re-cut into three separate stones. The 67.5 carat stone now known as the Black Orlov is set in a 108-diamond brooch suspended from a 124-diamond necklace.
Following the closure of the exhibition next year, the necklace will move to California to be worn by a film star at the 2006 Oscars ceremony. When asked about owning the stone, diamond dealer Dennis Petimezas says, 'In the middle of the 20th century, the media christened it the Evil Death Gem, but I've never felt nervous owning it. I've spent the past year trying to discover everything I can about its melodramatic history and am confident the curse is broken.'
Photograph : Bruno Vincent/Getty Image