Titanic

The success of the 1998 movie, has reignited interest in the history of the Ocean Liner, her passengers and her diamonds.  The love story of Rose and Jack featured the fabulous "Heart of the Ocean" diamond necklace and other beautiful jewelry, but what is known of the actual Titanic and it's treasures?  Was there a lost fortune in diamonds and what is known about the recovered diamonds and jewelry?

One of the treasures known to be on board the maiden voyage of the White Star Line Titanic was a priceless copy of the Rubyiat of Omar Khayiam. This book of poetry was encrusted with 1,500 precious stones set in gold.  Can you imagine how incredible this must have been?

At the time Newspapers reported that "there was known to be a small fortune in diamonds aboard the Titanic,"  Some reports stated that 2 brothers boarded the ocean liner and carried a shipment of diamonds from Switzerland.  It is estimated the diamonds would be worth well over $200 million today.  There are also stories of family members traveling in 2nd class to avoid notice while traveling with valuable diamonds and jewels.  What is known for certainty, is that many of the passengers were wealthy beyond compare and many did travel with gold and jewels.  Makes you want to rent diving gear.

The Makay-Bennett, a search ship, records many instances of diamonds and jewels.  One crew member told that while inspecting pockets of one man (later identified as Austin Blyler van Billiard), "seventeen diamonds rolled out in every direction upon the littered deck."

Among the artifacts recovered from underwater expeditions to the Titanic are 2 rings - one with 60 diamonds and an exquisite Sapphire and Diamond ring.  Other treasures include an elegant 3 stone Diamond Ring and a bracelet with the name "Amy" spelled out in gemstones.

Further research of the Titanic will focus on the leather bags of the pursers.  Protocol would have the pursers load the diamonds, gold and passenger jewelry into leather bags to be loaded onto lifeboats.  It is believed these bags would be located near Titanic's front cargo hold.

The Titanic movie featured Kate Winslett as Rose wearing "The Heart of the Ocean" - a blue diamond necklace based on the famous Hope Diamond, (the actual Hope diamond was never on the Titanic)  This stunning necklace has captured the imaginations of romantics everywhere.

Jewelers Asprey & Garrard were inspired to make a real Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace. The result was a 170 carat heart shaped sapphire with 65 diamonds, each 30 carats.  Celine Dion wore it at the Oscar ceremony.  It was later sold at a benefit auction for $2.2 million.  Sixty-five diamonds, all in one place!

Jeweler Harry Winston created a "Heart of the Ocean" blue diamond necklace.  The $20 million necklace was worn by Gloria Stuart, who portrayed Rose as an older woman.