document_title: Hope Diamond

question_text: which famous gem was said to have been stolen from a hindu statue

question_tokens: which famous gem was said to have been stolen from a hindu statue

text: Hope Diamond

text: Classification[edit]

text: The Hope Diamond, also known as Le Bijou du Roi ("the King's Jewel"),[2] Le bleu de France ("France's Blue"), and the Tavernier Blue, is a large, 45.52-carat (9.104 g),[w][3][4][5] deep-blue diamond, and now housed in the National Gem and Mineral collection at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  It is blue to the naked eye because of trace amounts of boron within its crystal structure, and exhibits a red phosphorescence under exposure to ultraviolet light.[6][7]

text: It is classified as a Type IIb diamond, and has changed hands numerous times on its way from India to France to Britain and eventually to the United States, where it has been regularly on public display since. It has been described as the "most famous diamond in the world".[8]

text: Physical properties[edit]

text:
Weight: In December 1988, the Gemological Institute of America's Gem Trade Lab determined that the diamond weighed 45.52 carats (9.104 g; 0.3211 oz).[9]
Size and shape: The diamond has been compared in size and shape to a pigeon egg,[10] walnut,[11] a "good sized horse chestnut"[12] which is "pear shaped."[12] The dimensions in terms of length, width, and depth are 25.60 mm × 21.78 mm × 12.00 mm (1 in × 7/8 in × 15/32 in).[9]
Color: It has been described as being "fancy dark greyish-blue"[9] as well as being "dark blue in color"[12] or having a "steely-blue" color.[13] As colored-diamond expert Stephen Hofer points out, blue diamonds similar to the Hope can be shown by colorimetric measurements to be grayer (lower in saturation) than blue sapphires.[14] In 1996, the Gemological Institute of America's Gem Trade Lab examined the diamond and, using their proprietary scale, graded it fancy deep grayish blue.[15]  Visually, the gray modifier (mask) is so dark (indigo) that it produces an "inky" effect appearing almost blackish-blue in incandescent light.[16] Current photographs of the Hope Diamond use high-intensity light sources that tend to maximize the brilliance of gemstones.[17] In popular literature, many superlatives have been used to describe the Hope Diamond as a "superfine deep blue", often comparing it to the color of a fine sapphire, "blue of the most beautiful blue sapphire" (Deulafait), and describing its color as "a sapphire blue".[16][18][19] Tavernier had described it as a "beautiful violet".[9]
Emits a red glow: The stone exhibits an unusually intense and strongly colored type of luminescence: after exposure to short-wave ultraviolet light, the diamond produces a brilliant red phosphorescence ('glow-in-the-dark' effect) that persists for some time after the light source has been switched off, and this strange quality may have helped fuel "its reputation of being cursed."[10] The red glow helps scientists "fingerprint" blue diamonds, allowing them to "tell the real ones from the artificial."[4] The red glow indicates that a different mix of boron and nitrogen is within the stone, according to Jeffrey Post in the journal Geology.[4]

tag: ul

text: People typically think of the Hope Diamond as a historic gem, but this study underscores its importance as a rare scientific specimen that can provide vital insights into our knowledge of diamonds and how they are formed in the earth.

text:
Clarity: The clarity was determined to be VS1, with whitish graining present.[9]
Cut: The cut was described as being "cushion antique brilliant with a faceted girdle and extra facets on the pavilion."[9]

text:
Chemical composition: In 2010, the diamond was removed from its setting in order to measure its chemical composition; after boring a hole one nanometre (four-billionths of an inch) deep, preliminary results detected the presence of boron, hydrogen and possibly nitrogen; the boron concentration varies from zero to eight parts per million.[20] According to Smithsonian curator Dr. Jeffrey Post, the boron may be responsible for causing the blue color of the stones after tests using infrared light measured a spectrum of the gems.[21]
Touch and feel: When Associated Press reporter Ron Edmonds was allowed by Smithsonian officials to hold the gem in his hand in 2003, he wrote that the first thought that had come into his mind was: "Wow!"[21] It was described as "cool to the touch."[21] He wrote:

text: You cradle the 45.5-carat stone—about the size of a walnut and heavier than its translucence makes it appear—turning it from side to side as the light flashes from its facets, knowing it's the hardest natural material yet fearful of dropping it.

text: Hardness: Diamonds in general, including the Hope Diamond, are considered to be the hardest natural mineral on the Earth, but because of diamond's crystalline structure, there are weak planes in the bonds which permit jewelers to slice a diamond and, in so doing, to cause it to sparkle by refracting light in different ways.[22]

text: History[edit]

text: Geological beginnings[edit]

text: The Hope Diamond was formed deep within the Earth approximately 1.1 billion years ago.[23] Like all diamonds, it is formed when carbon atoms form strong bonds.[23] The Hope Diamond was originally embedded in kimberlite, and was later extracted and refined to form the gem it is today.  The Hope Diamond contains trace amounts of boron atoms intermixed with the carbon structure, which results in the rare blue color of the diamond.[23]

text: India[edit]

text: Several accounts, based on remarks written by French gem merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who obtained the gem in India in 1666, suggest that the gemstone originated in India, in the Kollur mine in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh (which at the time was part of the Golconda kingdom), in the seventeenth century.[24][25][26] It is unclear who had initially owned the gemstone, where it had been found, by whom, and in what condition. But the first historical records suggest that Tavernier obtained the stone in 1666, possibly by purchase[13][1] or by theft.[18] Tavernier brought to Paris a large uncut stone which was the first known precursor to the Hope Diamond. This large stone became known as the Tavernier Blue diamond. It was a crudely cut triangular shaped stone of 115 carats (23.0 g).[12] Another estimate is that it weighed 112.23 carats (22.446 g) before it was cut.[18] Tavernier's book, the Six Voyages (French: Les Six Voyages de J. B. Tavernier), contains sketches of several large diamonds that he sold to Louis XIV in possibly 1668[10] or 1669; while the blue diamond is shown among these, Tavernier mentions the mines at "Gani" Kollur as a source of colored diamonds, but made no direct mention of the stone. Historian Richard Kurin builds a highly speculative case for 1653 as the year of acquisition,[27] but the most that can be said with certainty is that Tavernier obtained the blue diamond during one of his five voyages to India between the years 1640 and 1667. One report suggests he took 25 diamonds to Paris, including the large rock which became the Hope, and sold all of them to King Louis XIV.[28] Another report suggested that in 1669, Tavernier sold this large blue diamond along with approximately one thousand other diamonds to King Louis XIV of France for 220,000 livres, the equivalent of 147 kilograms of pure gold.[12][29] In a newly published historical novel, The French Blue, gemologist and historian Richard W. Wise proposed that the patent of nobility granted Tavernier by Louis XIV was a part of the payment for the Tavernier Blue. According to the theory, during that period Colbert, the King's Finance Minister, regularly sold offices and noble titles for cash, and an outright patent of nobility, according to Wise, was worth approximately 500,000 livres making a total of 720,000 livres, a price about half Tavernier's estimate of the gem's true value.[30] There has been some controversy regarding the actual weight of the stone; Morel believed that the 1123⁄16 carats[18] stated in Tavernier's invoice would be in old French carats, thus 115.28 metric carats.

text: France[edit]

text: In 1678, Louis XIV commissioned the court jeweller, Sieur Pitau, to recut the Tavernier Blue, resulting in a 67.125-carat (13.4250 g) stone[9] which royal inventories thereafter listed as the Blue Diamond of the Crown of France (French: diamant bleu de la Couronne de France[31]). Later English-speaking historians have simply called it the French Blue. The king had the stone set on a cravat-pin.[32] According to one report, Louis ordered Pitau[33] to "make him a piece to remember", and Pitau took two years on the piece, resulting in a "triangular-shaped 69-carat gem the size of a pigeon's egg that took the breath away as it snared the light, reflecting it back in bluish-grey rays."[13] It was set in gold and was supported by a ribbon for the neck which was worn by the king during ceremonies.[9]

text: At the diamond's dazzling heart was a sun with seven facets – the sun being Louis' emblem, and seven being a number rich in meaning in biblical cosmology, indicating divinity and spirituality.

text: In 1749, Louis XIV's great-grandson, Louis XV, had the French Blue set into a more elaborate jewelled pendant for the Order of the Golden Fleece by court jeweler André Jacquemin.[9] The assembled piece included a red spinel of 107 carats shaped as a dragon breathing "covetous flames", as well as 83 red-painted diamonds and 112 yellow-painted diamonds to suggest a fleece shape.[13] The piece fell into disuse after the death of Louis XV. The diamond became the property of his grandson Louis XVI.[12] whose wife, queen Marie Antoinette, used many of the French Crown Jewels for personal adornment by having the individual gems placed in new settings and combinations, but the French Blue remained in this pendant except for a brief time in 1787, when the stone was removed for scientific study by Mathurin Jacques Brisson, and returned to its setting soon thereafter.

text: Theft and disappearance[edit]

text: On September 11, 1792, while Louis XVI and his family were imprisoned in the Temple in the early stages of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, a group of thieves broke into the Royal Storehouse, the Hôtel du Garde-Meuble de la Couronne (now Hôtel de la Marine), and stole most of the Crown Jewels during a five-day looting spree.[13] While many jewels were later recovered, including other pieces of the Order of the Golden Fleece, the French Blue was not among them and it disappeared from history.[10] On 21 January 1793, Louis XVI was guillotined and Marie Antoinette was guillotined on 16 October of the same year: these beheadings are commonly cited as a result of the diamond's "curse", but the historical record suggests that Marie Antoinette had never worn the Golden Fleece pendant because it had been reserved for the exclusive use of the king.[citation needed]

text: A likely scenario is that the French Blue, sometimes also known as the Blue Diamond,[13] was "swiftly smuggled to London" after being seized in 1792 in Paris.[13] But the exact rock known as the French Blue was never seen again, since it almost certainly was recut during this decades-long period of anonymity,[13] probably into two pieces, and the larger one became the Hope Diamond. One report suggested that the cut was a "butchered job" because it sheared off 23.5 carats from the larger rock as well as hurting its "extraordinary lustre."[13] It had long been believed that the Hope Diamond had been cut from the French Blue.[34] Confirmation finally happened when a three-dimensional leaden model of the latter was rediscovered in the archives of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris in 2005. Previously, the dimensions of the French Blue had been known only from two drawings made in 1749 and 1789; although the model slightly differs from the drawings in some details, these details are identical to features of the Hope Diamond, allowing CAD technology to digitally reconstruct the French Blue around the recut stone.[35][36] Historians suggested that one robber, Cadet Guillot, took several jewels, including the French Blue and the Côte-de-Bretagne spinel, to Le Havre and then to London, where the French Blue was cut in two pieces. Morel adds that in 1796, Guillot attempted to resell the Côte-de-Bretagne in France but was forced to relinquish it to fellow thief Lancry de la Loyelle, who put Guillot into debtors' prison.

text: In a contrasting report, historian Richard Kurin speculated that the "theft" of the French Crown Jewels was in fact engineered by the revolutionary leader Georges Danton as part of a plan to bribe an opposing military commander, Duke Karl Wilhelm of Brunswick.[13] When under attack by Napoleon in 1805, Karl Wilhelm may have had the French Blue recut to disguise its identity; in this form, the stone could have come to Britain in 1806, when his family fled there to join his daughter Caroline of Brunswick. Although Caroline was the wife of the Prince Regent George (later George IV of the United Kingdom), she lived apart from her husband, and financial straits sometimes forced her to quietly sell her own jewels to support her household. Caroline's nephew, Duke Karl Friedrich, was later known to possess a 13.75-carat (2.750 g) blue diamond which was widely thought to be another piece of the French Blue. This smaller diamond's present whereabouts are unknown, and the recent CAD reconstruction of the French Blue fits too tightly around the Hope Diamond to allow for the existence of a sister stone of that size.

text: United Kingdom[edit]

text: A blue diamond with the same shape, size, and color as the Hope Diamond was recorded by John Francillon in the possession of the London diamond merchant Daniel Eliason in September 1812, the earliest point when the history of the Hope Diamond can be definitively fixed,[9][13] although a second less definitive report claims that the Hope Diamond's "authentic history" can only be traced back to 1830.[34] The jewel was a "massive blue stone of 45.54 carats"[13] and weighed 177 grains (4 grains = 1 carat).[9] It is often pointed out that the 1812 date was almost exactly twenty years after the theft of the French Blue, just as the statute of limitations for the crime had taken effect.[13] While the diamond had disappeared for two decades, there were questions whether this diamond now in Great Britain was exactly the same one as had belonged to the French kings, but scientific investigation in 2008 confirmed "beyond reasonable doubt" that the Hope Diamond and that owned by the kings of France were, indeed, the same gemstone, in the sense that the Hope Diamond had been cut from the French Blue.[9][13]

text: There are conflicting reports about what happened to the diamond during these years. Eliason's diamond may have been acquired by George IV of the United Kingdom,[10] possibly through Caroline of Brunswick;[13] however, there is no record of the ownership in the Royal Archives at Windsor, although some secondary evidence exists in the form of contemporary writings and artwork, and George IV tended to mix up the Crown property of the Crown Jewels with family heirlooms and his own personal property. A source at the Smithsonian suggested there were "several references" suggesting that George had, indeed, owned the diamond.[9] After his death in 1830, it has been alleged that some of this mixed collection was stolen by George's last mistress, Elizabeth Conyngham, and some of his personal effects were discreetly liquidated to cover the many debts he had left behind him. Another report states that the king's debts were "so enormous" that the diamond was probably sold through "private channels".[9] In either case, the blue diamond was not retained by the British royal family.

text: The stone was later reported to have been acquired by a rich London banker named Thomas Hope, for either $65,000[12] or $90,000.[18] It has been suggested that Eliason may have been a "front" for Hope,[13] acting not as a diamond merchant venturing money on his own account, but rather as an agent to acquire the diamond for the banker. In 1839, the Hope Diamond appeared in a published catalog of the gem collection of Henry Philip Hope, who was a member of the same Anglo-Dutch banking family.[9] The stone was set in a fairly simple medallion surrounded by many smaller white diamonds, which he sometimes lent to Louisa de la Poer Beresford, the widow of his brother, Thomas Hope, for society balls. After falling into the ownership of the Hope family, the stone came to be known as the "Hope Diamond".[12]

text: Henry Philip Hope died in 1839, the same year as the publication of his collection catalog. His three nephews, the sons of Thomas and Louisa, fought in court for ten years over his inheritance, and ultimately the collection was split up. The oldest nephew, Henry Thomas Hope, received eight of the most valuable gems, including the Hope Diamond. It was displayed in the Great Exhibition of London in 1851 and at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, but was usually kept in a bank vault. In 1861, Henry Thomas Hope's only child, Henrietta, married Henry Pelham-Clinton (and later Duke of Newcastle). When Hope died on December 4, 1862, his wife Anne Adele inherited the gem, but she feared that the profligate lifestyle of her son-in-law might cause him to sell the Hope properties. Upon Adele's death in 1884, the entire Hope estate, including the Hope Diamond, was entrusted to Henrietta's younger son, Henry Francis Pelham-Clinton, on the condition that he add the name of "Hope" to his own surnames when he reached the age of legal majority. As Lord Francis Hope, this grandson received his legacy in 1887. However, he had only a life interest in his inheritance, meaning that he could not sell any part of it without court permission.

text: In 1894, Lord Francis Hope met the American concert hall singer May Yohé, who has been described as "the sensation of two continents",[12] and they were married the same year; one account suggests that Yohé wore the Hope Diamond on at least one occasion.[12] She later claimed that she had worn it at social gatherings and had an exact replica made for her performances, but her husband claimed otherwise. Lord Francis lived beyond his means, and this eventually caught up with him, leading to marriage troubles and financial reverses, and he found that he had to sell the diamond.[12] In 1896, his bankruptcy was discharged, but, as he could not sell the Hope Diamond without the court's permission, he was supported financially by his wife during these intervening years. In 1901, the financial situation had changed, and after a "long legal fight,"[28] he was given permission to sell the Hope Diamond by an order of the Master in Chancery[28] to "pay off debts".[13] But May Yohé ran off with a gentleman friend named Putnam Strong, who was a son of the former New York City mayor William L. Strong. Francis Hope and May Yohé were divorced in 1902.[12]

text: Francis sold the diamond for £29,000 (£2.89 million today), to Adolph Weil, a London jewel merchant. Weil later sold the stone to the diamond dealer Simon Frankel, based in New York and/or London[12] who took it to New York. One report stated that he had paid $250,000 ($7.4 million today).[28] However, in New York it was evaluated to be worth $141,032 ($4.15 million today).

text: United States (1902–present)[edit]

text: Accounts vary about what happened to the diamond during the years 1902–1907; one account suggested that it lay in the William & Theodore safe during these years while the jewelers took it out periodically to show it to wealthy Americans; a rival account, probably invented to help add "mystery" to the Hope Diamond story, suggested that some persons had bought it but apparently sold it back to Frankel.[12] There were reports in one story in The New York Times of several owners of the gem, perhaps who had bought it from Frankel and owned it temporarily who met with ill-fortune,[citation needed] but this report conflicts with the more likely possibility that the gem remained in the hands of the Frankel jewelry firm during these years. Like many jewelry firms, the Frankel business ran into financial difficulties during the depression of 1907 and referred to the gem as the "hoodoo diamond."[12]

text: In 1908, Frankel sold the diamond for $400,000 ($10.89 million today)[37] to a Salomon or Selim Habib, a wealthy Turkish diamond collector,[38] reportedly on behalf of Sultan Abdulhamid of Ottoman Empire; however, on June 24, 1909, the stone was included in an auction of Habib's assets to settle his own debts,[9] and the auction catalog explicitly stated that the Hope Diamond was one of only two gems in the collection which had never been owned by the Sultan. A contrary report, however, suggested that Sultan Abdul Hamid did own the gem but ordered Habib to sell it when his throne "began to totter."[12] Habib reportedly sold the stone in Paris in 1909 for $80,000 ($2.18 million today).[12] The Parisian jewel merchant Simon Rosenau bought the Hope Diamond for 400,000 francs and resold it in 1910 to Pierre Cartier for 550,000 francs. In 1910, it was offered for $150,000 ($3.94 million today), according to one report.[11]

text: Pierre Cartier tried to sell the Hope Diamond to Washington D.C. socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean and her husband in 1910.[10] Cartier was a consummate salesman who used an understated presentation to entice Mrs. McLean.[39] He described the gem's illustrious history to her while keeping it concealed underneath special wrapping paper.[39] The suspense worked: McLean became impatient to the point where she suddenly requested to see the stone. She recalled later that Cartier "held before our eyes the Hope Diamond."[39] Nevertheless, she initially rejected the offer. Cartier had it reset. She found the stone much more appealing in this new modern style. There were conflicting reports about the sale in the New York Times; one account suggested that the young McLean couple had agreed to purchase the diamond, but after having learned about its unfortunate supposed history, the couple had wanted to back out of the deal[40] since they knew nothing of the "history of misfortunes that have beset its various owners."[40]

text: Both Ned McLean and his pretty wife are quite young, and in a way unsophisticated, although they were born and reared in an atmosphere of wealth and luxury. All their lives they have known more of jewelry, finery, banquets, automobiles, horses, and other articles of pleasure than they have of books, with their wealth of knowledge.

text: The brouhaha over the diamond's supposed "ill luck" prompted a worried editor of The Jewelers' Circular-Weekly to write:

text: No mention of any ill luck having befallen Eliason, Hope, or any of their descendants was ever made. The Frankels surely were very prosperous while the stone was in their possession, as were the dealers who held it in Europe. Habib's misfortune referred to in the newspaper accounts occurred long after he had sold the stone... As Francis Hope never had the stone and May Yohe probably never saw it ... the newspaper accounts at the time mentioned were laughed at, but since then it has been the custom not only to revive these stories every time mention of the stone appears in the public press, but to add to them fictitious incidents of misfortune as to alleged possessors of the stone at various times.

text: The tenuous deal involved wrangling among attorneys for both Cartier and the McLeans, but finally, in 1911, the couple bought the gem for over $300,000 (over $7.9 million today),[12] although there are differing estimates of the sales price at $150,000 and $180,000. An alternative scenario is that the McLeans may have fabricated concern about the supposed "curse" to generate publicity to increase the value of their investment.

text: A description was that the gemstone "lay on a bed of white silk and surrounded by many small white diamonds cut pear shaped".[12] The new setting was the current platinum framework surrounded by a row of sixteen diamonds which alternated between Old Mine Cut and pear-shaped variants. Mrs. McLean wore it to a "brilliant reception" in February 1912 when it was reported that it was the first time it had been worn in public since it had "changed owners."[41] She would "sport the diamond at social events"[10] and wore it numerous social occasions that she had organized.

text: The Hope Diamond in its original pendant must have looked fantastic at parties circa the 1920s, when it hung around the neck of owner Evalyn Walsh McLean's Great Dane, Mike.

text: There were reports that she misplaced it at parties,[43] deliberately and frequently, and then make a children's game out of "finding the Hope", and times when she hid the diamond somewhere on her estate during the "lavish parties she threw and invite guests to find it."[10] The stone prompted elaborate security precautions:

text: William Schindele, a former Secret Service man, has been engaged to guard the stone. He in turn will be guarded by Leo Costello and Simeon Blake, private detectives. The stone will be kept at the McLean mansion during the day and each night will be deposited in a safe deposit vault. When Mrs. McLean wears the gem at balls and receptions arrangements have been made to keep the safe deposit building open until after the function that the stone may be safely stored away. A special automobile has been purchased to convey the guards to and from the house to the trust company's building.

text: But the stone was not stolen during their ownership. When Mrs. McLean died in 1947, she bequeathed the diamond to her grandchildren through a will which insisted that her former property would remain in the custody of trustees until the eldest child had reached 25 years of age. This requirement would have prevented any sale for the next two decades. However, the trustees gained permission to sell her jewels to settle her debts, and in 1949 sold them to New York diamond merchant Harry Winston. He purchased McLean's "entire jewelry collection".[10] Over the next decade, Winston exhibited McLean's necklace in his "Court of Jewels," a tour of jewels around the United States,[10] as well as various promotional events and charity balls. The diamond appeared on the television quiz show The Name's the Same, in an episode which first aired on August 16, 1955,[44] when a teenaged contestant with the actual name Hope Diamond was one of the mystery guests, as well as at the August 1958 Canadian National Exhibition.[8] At some point, Winston also had the Hope Diamond's bottom facet slightly recut to increase its brilliance.

text: Smithsonian ownership[edit]

text: Smithsonian mineralogist George Switzer is credited with persuading jeweler Harry Winston to donate the Hope Diamond for a proposed national gem collection to be housed at the National Museum of Natural History.[45] On November 10, 1958,[13] Winston acquiesced, sending it through U.S. Mail in a box wrapped in brown paper as simple registered mail[10] insured for $1 million at a cost of $145.29, of which $2.44 was for postage and the balance insurance.[10][46] Upon its arrival it became Specimen #217868.[47]

text: Winston had never believed in any of the tales about the curse; he donated the diamond with the hope that it would help the United States "establish a gem collection."[8] Winston died many years later, in 1978, of a heart attack. Winston's gift, according to Smithsonian curator Dr. Jeffrey Post, indeed helped spur additional gifts to the museum.[21]

text: For its first four decades in the National Museum of Natural History, the Hope Diamond lay in its necklace inside a glass-fronted safe as part of the gems and jewelry gallery, except for a few brief excursions: a 1962 exhibition to the Louvre;[9] the 1965 Rand Easter Show in Johannesburg, South Africa;[9] and two visits back to Harry Winston's premises in New York City, once in 1984,[9] and once for a 50th anniversary celebration in 1996.[9] To guard against theft during the diamond's trip to the 1962 Louvre exhibition, Switzer traveled to Paris with the Hope Diamond tucked inside a velvet pouch sewn by his wife.[48] The Hope Diamond was placed into the pouch, which was pinned inside Switzer's pants pocket for the flight.[48]

text: When the Smithsonian's gallery was renovated in 1997, the necklace was moved onto a rotating pedestal inside a cylinder made of 3-inch (76 mm) thick bulletproof glass in its own display room, adjacent to the main exhibit of the National Gem Collection, in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals. The Hope Diamond is the most popular jewel on display and the collection's centerpiece.[49] In 1988, specialists with the Gemological Institute of America graded it and noticed "evidence of wear" and its "remarkably strong phosphorescence" with its clarity "slightly affected by a whitish graining which is common to blue diamonds."[9] A highly sensitive colorimeter found tiny traces of a "very slight violet component" which is imperceptible to normal vision.[9]

text: In 2005, the Smithsonian published a year-long computer-aided geometry research which officially acknowledged that the Hope Diamond is, in fact, part of the stolen French Blue crown jewel.[50]

text: In 2009, the Smithsonian announced a temporary new setting for the jewel to celebrate a half-century at the National Museum of Natural History. Starting in September 2009, the 45.52-carat (9.104 g) diamond[4] was exhibited as a stand-alone gem with no setting. It had been removed from its setting for cleaning from time to time, but this was the first time it would be on public display by itself. Previously it had been shown in a platinum setting, surrounded by 16 white pear-shaped and cushion-cut diamonds, suspended from a chain containing forty-five diamonds.

text: The Hope returned to its traditional setting in late 2010.[51]

text: On November 18, 2010, the Hope Diamond was unveiled and displayed at the Smithsonian in a temporary newly designed necklace called "Embracing Hope", created by the Harry Winston firm.[10] Three designs for the new setting, all white diamonds and white metal, were created and the public voted on the final version. The Hope Diamond also is resting on a new dark blue neck form, which the Harry Winston firm commissioned from display organization, Pac Team Group. Previously, the Hope Diamond had been displayed as a loose gem since late summer of 2009 when it was removed from its former Cartier-designed setting. A Smithsonian curator described it as "priceless" because it was "irreplaceable", although it was reported to be insured for $250 million.[10] On January 13, 2012 the diamond was returned to its historic setting, and the current necklace was implanted with another diamond worth "at least a million dollars". The necklace with the new diamond will be sold to benefit the Smithsonian.[10]

text:
Changes over time

Date acquired

Owner

Change in diamond

Value when sold

Notes

1653

Tavernier

112.5 Old French karats, 116 Metric carats.

220,000–720,000 livres. Tavernier received Patent of Nobility as part payment worth 450,000 livres

[10][12] Time of acquisition: between 1640–1667, possibly 1653[27]

1668[52]

King Louis XIV

triangular-shaped 69 metric-carat gem[13] set on a cravat-pin 1674.[32]

bequeathed

[10]

1715

King Louis XV

Assembled into elaborate pendant Order of the Golden Fleece[13]

bequeathed

1775

King Louis XVI

69 Metric carats[34]

stolen

[12]

1791[52]

Government of France

stolen

[12]

1792

Unknown

stolen

1812

Daniel Eliason, a London jeweler

circa 44 non-metric carats

$65,000; $90,000[18]

between 1812-1830 [52]

King George IV of the United Kingdom

Sold to pay off kings debts after death

1830-1839

Unknown

some time between 1830-1839

Henry Phillip Hope (1774–1839)

Became known as the "Hope Diamond"

bequeathed

[12]

1839

Henry Thomas Hope

bequeathed

displayed at the 1851 London Exhibition[10]

1861

Henry Pelham-Clinton, Duke of Newcastle

bequeathed

Hope gave his daughter the gem after she married the 6th Duke of Newcastle[12]

1884

Lord Francis Hope, 8th Duke of Newcastle

$250,000[28]

[12][28]

1894

May Yohé, Lady Henry Francis Hope

£29,000 (£2,484,530 as of 2011)

[12] May Yohe was the wife of Lord Henry Francis Hope

1901

Adolph Weil, London jewel merchant

$141,032 (approx £28,206). second est:$148,000[12]

1901

Simon Frankel

1908

Selim Habib (Salomon? Habib)

1908

Sultan Abdul Hamid

Weighed 44 3/8 carats[18]

400,000 francs; second estimate: $80,000.[12]

Note: disputed whether Sultan owned it[18]

1909

Simon Rosenau

550,000 francs

1910

Pierre Cartier

reset to appeal to Evalyn McLean; diamond mounted as a headpiece on three-tiered circlet of large white diamonds; became pendant

$150K; $300K+; $185K

conflicting estimates of sales price

1911

Edward Beale McLean and Evalyn Walsh McLean

weight thought to be 44.5 carats

$180,000

[8][10] Entire McLean collection sold to Winston

1947

Harry Winston

Diamond's bottom facet slightly recut to increase brilliance

NYC jeweler; he took it around the US to popularize it[8]

1958

Smithsonian Museum

Settings, mountings, scientific study; weight found to be 45.52 modern metric carats in 1974

$200–$250 million (if sold in 2011)

Insured for $250 million[8][10]

text: The curse controversy[edit]

text: Superstitions, publicity, marketing[edit]

text: The diamond has been surrounded by a mythology of a reputed curse to the effect that it brings misfortune and tragedy to persons who own it or wear it, but there are strong indications that such stories were fabricated to enhance the stone's mystery and appeal, since increased publicity usually raised the gem's value and newsworthiness.[53][54][55]

text: According to specious accounts in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the original form of the Hope Diamond was stolen from an eye of a sculpted statue of the goddess Sita, the wife of Rama, the seventh Avatar of Vishnu. However, much like the "curse of Tutankhamun", this general type of "legend" was most likely the invention of Western authors during the Victorian era,[56] and the specific legends about the Hope Diamond's "cursed origin" were invented in the early 20th century to add mystique to the stone and increase its sales appeal as well as increase newspaper sales. It fueled speculation that humans possessing the gemstone were fated to have bad luck with varying reports of undetermined veracity. A report in 2006 in The New York Times, however, suggested that "any hard evidence linking it to tragedy has yet to be officially proven."[57]

text: There is evidence of several newspaper accounts which helped spread the curse story.[55] A New Zealand newspaper article in 1888 described the supposedly lurid history of the Hope Diamond, including a claim that it was "said once to have formed the single eye of a great idol", as part of a confused description that also claimed that its namesake owner had personally "brought it from India", and that the diamond's true color was "white, [although] when held to the light, it emits the most superb and dazzling blue rays."[58] An article entitled "Hope Diamond Has Brought Trouble To All Who Have Owned It" appeared in the Washington Post in 1908.[59] An additional account of the Hope Diamond's "cursed origins" was a fanciful and anonymously written newspaper article in 1909. It was followed by another New York Times article in 1911[12] which gave a list of supposed cases of ill-fortune, but with few confirmations from other sources:

text:
Jacques Colet bought the Hope Diamond from Simon Frankel and committed suicide.
Prince Ivan Kanitovski bought it from Colet but was killed by Russian revolutionists.
Kanitovski loaned it to Mlle Ladue who was "murdered by her sweetheart."
Simon Mencharides, who had once sold it to the Turkish sultan, was thrown from a precipice along with his wife and young child.
Sultan Hamid gave it to Abu Sabir to "polish" but later Sabir was imprisoned and tortured.
Stone guardian Kulub Bey was hanged by a mob in Turkey.
A Turkish attendant named Hehver Agha was hanged for having it in his possession.
Tavernier, who brought the stone from India to Paris was "torn to pieces by wild dogs in Constantinople."
King Louis gave it to Madame de Montespan whom later he abandoned.
Nicholas Fouquet, an "Intendant of France", borrowed it temporarily to wear it but was "disgraced and died in prison."
A temporary wearer, Princess de Lamballe, was "torn to pieces by a French mob."
Jeweler William Fals who recut the stone "died a ruined man."
William Fals' son Hendrik stole the jewel from his father and later "committed suicide."
Some years (after Hendrik) "it was sold to Francis Deaulieu, who died in misery and want."

text: The mainstream view is that these accounts are specious and speculative since there are few, if any, independent confirmations to back them up.[55] A few months later, perhaps compounded by inaccurate reports in The New York Times on November 17, 1909, it was incorrectly reported that the diamond's former owner, Selim Habib, had drowned in a shipwreck of the steamer Seyne near Singapore;[38] in fact, it was a different person with the same name, not the owner of the diamond.[60] There was speculation that jeweler Pierre Cartier further embroidered the lurid tales to intrigue Evalyn Walsh McLean into buying the Hope Diamond in 1911.[53]

text: The theme of greedy robbers stealing a valuable metal from the tomb or shrine of an ancient god or ruler, and then being punished by it, is one which repeats in many different forms of literature. A likely source of inspiration for the fabrications was the Wilkie Collins' 1868 novel The Moonstone, which created a coherent narrative from vague and largely disregarded legends which had been attached to other diamonds such as the Koh-i-Noor and the Orloff diamond. The theme can be seen in films such as The Mummy as well as stories about the curse of Egyptian king Tutankhamun and in more recent films such as the Indiana Jones films. In keeping with these scripts, according to the legend, Tavernier did not buy the Hope diamond but stole it from a Hindu temple where it had been set as one of two matching eyes of an idol, and the temple priests then laid a curse on whoever might possess the missing stone. Largely because the other blue diamond "eye" never surfaced, historians dismissed the fantastical story.[55] The stories generally do not bear up to more pointed examination; for example, the legend that Tavernier's body was "torn apart by wolves"[12] is inconsistent with historical evidence which shows that he lived to 84 and died of natural causes.

text: It is possible that the overblown story of the curse, possibly fueled by Cartier and others, may have caused some hesitation on the part of the prospective buyers, the McLeans, around 1911. When a lawsuit between buyer and seller erupted about the terms of the deal, newspapers kept alive reports of the diamond's "malevolent influence" with reports like this one, which blamed the stone's "curse" on having caused, of all things, the lawsuit itself:

text: The malevolent influence that has for centuries dogged with discord and disaster the owners of the famous Hope diamond has started again and without waste of time, despite special precautions against ill-luck taken at the time of its last sale, according to John S. Wise, Jr., of 20 Broad Street, attorney for Cartiers, the Fifth Avenue jewelers, who are suing Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. McLean for $180,000, its alleged purchase price.

text: The Hope Diamond was also blamed for the unhappy fates of other historical figures vaguely linked to its ownership, such as the falls of Madame Athenais de Montespan and French finance minister Nicolas Fouquet during the reign of Louis XIV of France; the beheadings of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and the rape and mutilation of the Princesse de Lamballe during the French Revolution; and the forced abdication of Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid who had supposedly killed various members of his court for the stone (despite the annotation in Habib's auction catalog).[12] Even jewelers who may have handled the Hope Diamond were not spared from its reputed malice: the insanity and suicide of Jacques Colot, who supposedly bought it from Eliason, and the financial ruin of the jeweler Simon Frankel, who bought it from the Hope family, were linked to the stone.[12] But although he is documented as a French diamond dealer of the correct era, Colot has no recorded connection with the stone, and Frankel's misfortunes were in the midst of economic straits that also ruined many of his peers. The legend includes deaths of numerous other characters who had been previously unknown: Diamond cutter Wilhelm Fals, killed by his son Hendrik, who stole it and later committed suicide; Francois Beaulieu, who received the stone from Hendrik but starved to death after selling it to Eliason; a Russian prince named Kanitowski, who lent it to French actress Lorens Ladue and promptly shot her dead on the stage, and was himself stabbed to death by revolutionaries; Simon Montharides, hurled over a precipice with his family.[12] However, the existence of only a few of these characters has been verified historically, leading researchers to conclude that most of these persons are fictitious.[citation needed]

text: The actress May Yohe made repeated attempts to capitalize on her identity as the former wife of the last Hope to own the diamond, and sometimes blamed the gemstone for her misfortunes. In July 1902, months after Lord Francis divorced her, she told police in Australia that her lover, Putnam Strong, had abandoned her and taken her jewels. In fact, the couple reconciled, married later that year, but divorced in 1910. On her third marriage in 1920, she persuaded film producer George Kleine to back a 15-episode serial The Hope Diamond Mystery, which added fictitious characters to the tale, but the project was not successful. In 1921, she hired Henry Leyford Gates to help her write The Mystery of the Hope Diamond, in which she starred as Lady Francis Hope. The film added more characters, including a fictionalized Tavernier, and added Marat among the diamond's "victims". She also wore her copy of the Hope, trying to generate more publicity to further her career.

text: Evalyn Walsh McLean added her own narrative to the story behind the blue jewel, including that one of the owners had been Catherine the Great, although there are no confirmations that the Russian ruler ever owned the diamond. McLean would bring the Diamond out for friends to try on, including Warren G. Harding and Florence Harding.

text: Since the Smithsonian acquired the gemstone, the "curse appears to have gone dormant."[10] Owning the diamond has brought "nothing but good luck" for the nonprofit national museum, according to a Smithsonian curator, and has helped it build a "world-class gem collection" with rising attendance levels.[21]

text: Owners and their fate[edit]

text:
What happened to owners and wearers of the gem

Date acquired

Owner

Fate

Notes

1653

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

Lived 1605–1689 died age 84

[10][12] Time of acquisition: between 1640-1667 possibly 1653[27]

1668

King Louis XIV

Long prosperous reign; lived 1638–1715 died age 76

[10]

1722

King Louis XV

Lived 1710–1774 died age 64

1775

King Louis XVI

Guillotined in 1793, age 38

[12]

1775

Marie Antoinette

Guillotined 1793, age 37

[12] wife of Louis XVI

1792[12]

[12]

1805?

King George IV of the United Kingdom

Lived 1762–1830 died age 67

Note: doubtful whether he ever owned it[10]

1812

Daniel Eliason, a London jeweler

[12]

1830

Thomas Hope

Lived 1769–1831 died age 62

[12]

1839

Henry Philip Hope

[10]

1861

Henry Pelham-Clinton

Lived 1834–1879 died age 45

[12]

1884

Lord Francis Hope

bankruptcy; forced to sell it; lived 1866–1941 died age 75

[12][28]

1894

May Yohé

Musical actress, divorced, remarried several times, died poor, age 72

[12] A wife of Lord Francis Hope

1901

Adolph Weil, London jewel merchant

1901

Simon Frankel

1908

Selim Habib (Salomon? Habib)

possibly acting as agent for Turkish Sultan Hamid

1908

Sultan Abdul Hamid II of Turkey

Deposed 1909; died 1918 age 75

Note: it is disputed whether the Sultan ever owned it

1909

Simon Rosenau

1910

Pierre Cartier

Lived 1878–1964, died age 86

1911

Edward Beale McLean and Evalyn Walsh McLean

Couple divorced 1932; Edward had mental illness and died aged 51 or 52; Evalyn died aged 60 from pneumonia in 1947

[8][10]

1947

Harry Winston

Lived 1896–1978 died age 83

Jeweler who gave it to Smithsonian 1958[8]

1958

Smithsonian Institution

Prospered, attendance up

[8][10]

text: Replicas[edit]

text: In 2007,[62] an important discovery was made which enabled a slew of activity to help scientists, historians and gemologists further explore the history of the Hope Diamond, as well as create replicas of the larger pieces, from which it had been cut, believed to have been owned by eighteenth-century French monarchs. A lead cast of the French Blue diamond was discovered in the gemmological collections of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, reported in a bilingual French–English press release,[63] and the unique finding triggered an investigation by an international team of researchers into the stone's history. It was an important event since previously investigators had to rely on two-dimensional sketches of the diamond, but now they had a three-dimensional structure with which to apply techniques such as computer-aided drawing analysis. It allowed creation of the first numeric reconstruction of the French Blue including a virtual snapshot video. Even the emblem of the Golden Fleece of Louis XV was numerically reconstructed around the French Blue, including the "Côte de Bretagne" spinel of 107 carats (21.4 g), the "Bazu" diamond of 32.62 carats (6.524 g), 3 oriental topazes (yellow sapphires), five brillants of up to 5 carats (1,000 mg) brillants and nearly 300 smaller diamonds. Special care was taken to reconstruct the major gemstones precisely by using CAD analysis as well as knowledge of historical gemsetting techniques. As part of the investigation, the "Tavernier Blue" diamond was also reconstructed from the original French edition of Tavernier's Voyages (rather than the later London edition that somewhat distorted and modified Tavernier's original figures), and the Smithsonian Institution provided ray-tracing and optical spectroscopic data about the Hope diamond. These events culminated in an event and a documentary to celebrate the making of these replicas, with celebrations by the French museum including H. Horovitz, Martin du Daffoy who was the historian and jeweller from the Place Vendôme in Paris, as well as directors and leaders from the museum. The event was filmed by Gédéon programmes for a documentary on the French Blue diamond, to be presented by 2011 worldwide.

text: The lead cast of the French Blue, itself, has a history. It had been catalogued at the French museum in 1850 and was provided by a prominent Parisian jeweler named Charles Archard who lived during the same generation as René Just Haüy, who died in 1822. Most likely, the lead cast was made near 1815, since that was the year that similar entries from the 1850 catalogue had been made. The model was accompanied by a label stating that the French Blue was in the possession of a person known as "Mr. Hope of London". Other archives at the Muséum suggests that Achard had Mr. Hope as a good customer for many long years, particularly for blue gems.[64]

text: These findings have helped investigators piece together what may have happened during the rock's anonymous years during the several decades following 1792. According to one line of reasoning, the first "Hope" to have the "Hope Diamond"—Henry Phillip Hope—might have possessed the French Blue that he had acquired some time after the 1792 robbery in Paris, perhaps around 1794-1795, when the Hopes were believed to have left Holland for London to escape Napoleon's armies.[65] At about the same time, Cadet Guillot, who may have been one of the thieves to have stolen the Golden Fleece, arrived in London.[66] This places Mr. Hope and Mr. Guillot in London at the same time. According to a late nineteenth century historian named Bapts, a contract was made between Cadet Guillot and a French aristocrat named Lancry de la Loyelle, in 1796, to sell the 107-carat (21.4 g) spinel-dragon of the Golden Fleece. According to this line of reasoning, in 1802 Hope sold his assets, and the continental blockade by Napoleon led the Hope's bank into a serious financial crisis by 1808, and the crisis peaked during the winter of 1811–1812[67] This put Mr. Hope in a financial bind. There is a possibility that, given his financial predicament, Hope pawned the French Blue to jewel merchant Eliason to get much-needed cash when the British currency, sterling, was highly depreciated.[68] This is consistent with the entry in Eliason's records about having the stone in 1812. However, the diamond's owners may have felt pressure to recut the stone quickly to disguise its identity, since if the French government had learned of its existence, it may have sued the owners for repossession.[64] Regardless of whether Mr. Hope had lost possession or kept it during these years, by 1824 it was again in his possession. It was around this time that Eliason died; Hope's financial situation has been restored thanks to efforts by the Barings, who saved the Hope bank in the difficult financial years of 1812-1820.[68] Accordingly, if this is correct, then the lead cast of the French Blue and the "Hope" diamond are likely to have been created in the same workshop, possibly in London, and probably a little before 1812.

text: The lead cast had important ramifications since it gave enough information to curators at the French museum to commission the first exact replicas of both the Tavernier and French Blue diamonds using a material which simulates diamonds called cubic zirconia, with the help of artisans who work with gems known as lapidaries, led by Scott Sucher. These replicas have been completed and displayed with the French Crown Jewels and the Great Sapphire of Louis XIV, a Moghul-cut sapphire of 135.7 carats (27.14 g). Artisans recreated the elaborate parure of different-colored gems known as the Golden Fleece of King Louis XV of France, which is arguably the most fabulous work in the history of French jewelry; this happened from 2007–2010. The original parure, created in 1749 by royal jeweler Pierre-André Jacqumin, was stolen and broken in 1792. The reassembled jewel contained the French Blue and the Bazu diamonds, as well as the Côte de Bretagne spinel and hundreds of smaller diamonds. Three years of work were needed to recreate this jewel, and it required exacting and precise skill which revealed not only the skill of today's lapidaries, but the skill of its original eighteenth-century designers. The reconstructed jewel was presented by Herbert Horovitz, with François Farges (fr) of the French museum in attendance, at the former Royal Storehouse in Paris on June 30, 2010, which was the same site where the original had been stolen 218 years before.

text: Additional recreations were made possible by new discoveries. A previously unknown drawing of the Golden Fleece was rediscovered in Switzerland in the 1980s, and two blue diamonds that had ornamented the jewel were found as well, and these recent findings enabled artisans to recreate a copy of the emblem.[69] It led to the construction, using cubic zirconia, of a piece that almost exactly resembles[70] the mythic French Blue 69 carats (13.8 g) masterpiece.

text: The emblem has another great blue diamond, which was later named "the Bazu" in reference to a dealer who reportedly had sold it to Louis XIV in 1669.[71] This Bazu diamond was recut in 1749 as a baroque cushion weighing 32.62 carats (6.524 g). The 1791 inventory mentioned that the Bazu was "light sky blue",[72] which is consistent with the fact that the Golden Fleece of the Color Adornment was made of a variety of great colored gems. Based on documents kept in a private collection,[73] it could be shown that this particular diamond was not hexagonal-shaped, as some historians had previously thought,[74] but was in a shape best described as "rounded squared",[75] similar to the so-called Régent diamond.[70] There is a report that a curator from the French museum will assert that the hexagonal cut from the Bazu is inconsistent historically and gemologically.[citation needed] The Bazu stone referred to another version of Louis XV’s great Golden Fleece, made out of blue sapphires instead of blue diamonds.[73] According to one view, this version appears to have never been manufactured but only suggested to the king as an alternative to the effective final version, bearing two blue diamonds. Nevertheless, replicas of both blue diamonds were cut by Scott Sucher using cubic zirconia, one being colored deep blue and the other light blue.

text: The emblem had a third great gem known as The Côte de Bretagne dragon. Its replica was based on a wax likeness sculpted by Pascal Monney, who had based his recreation from three-dimensional scaled pictures of the original object which had been made by French artist François Farges; Farges, in turn, had seen the original objects displayed at the Louvre's Galerie d’Apollon. In addition, artist Etienne Leperlier cast a "crystal" lead glass duplicate of the wax replica of the carved Côte de Bretagne. Its pigmentation is made out of gold and manganese pigments to simulate as close as possible the original color of the spinel.

text: The 500-plus remaining replicas of diamonds were cut from cubic zirconia using a baroque cushion cut. Colors were used to recall the original artwork: red for the flames, and yellow for the fleece, and in keeping with the original work, the materials used were initially colorless but were painted in the same fashion used by the artist Jacqumin when the original Golden Fleece was completed in 1749. Since the original was most likely made out of gold plated with silver, a choice was made to use a matrix mostly made out of 925-grade silver to keep costs under control without compromising quality. A number of different artists helped with this project:

text:
The silver matrix was carved by Jean Minassian of Geneva who used historical drawings of the delicate three-dimensional elements of the dragon's wings and tail as well as the palms around which the dragon is suspended.
Casts were made by Andreas Altmann. This will allow even more copies to be made in the future.
Amico Bifulci gilded parts of the matrix to recreate the elegant original gold and silver arrangement of the original.

text: All stones were set according to 18th century techniques. Finally, a luxury box containing the Golden Fleece was recreated by Frédéric Viollet using crimson-colored Moroccan leather.[76] The box was gilded by Didier Montecot to the arms of Louis XV, using the king’s original iron stamp made by the Simier house.[77] A dark red cramoisi ribbon, made of crimson satin moire, holds the jewel inside the box.

text:
Lead cast of the "French Blue" diamond, discovered in 2007 at the National Museum of Natural History (France) by Farges (ca. 31 × 26 mm)

Computer reconstruction of the "French Blue" diamond, as cut by Pitan for King Louis XIV of France in 1673 (ca. 31 × 25 mm)

The recreated great Golden Fleece of King Louis XV of France, presented by H. Horovitz (left) and François Farges (fr) (right) at the Hôtel de la Marine, formerly the royal Storehouse in Paris on June 30, 2010

Detailed view of the recreated great Golden Fleece of king Louis XV of France. Below the 107 carats (21.4 g) spinel Côte de Bretagne hangs the French Blue diamond and the fleece itself, set with hundreds of yellow diamond replicas


document_title: Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

question_text: how does scrooge react to the ghost of christmas yet to come

root

text: Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

text: Description[edit]

text: "The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. When it came near him, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. [...] It thrilled [Scrooge] with a vague uncertain horror, to know that behind the mask there were eyes staring at him."

tag: p

text: Scrooge finds the Ghost Of Christmas Future the most fearsome of the Spirits; it appears to Scrooge as a figure entirely muffled in a black hooded cloak, except for a single spectral hand with which it points. Although the character never speaks in the story, Scrooge understands it, usually through assumptions from his previous experiences and rhetorical questions. It is notable that, even in satires and parodies of the tale, this spirit retains its original look. It looks the way it does because it represents what the future holds for Scrooge if he does not change his ways.

text: When the Ghost makes its appearance, the first thing it shows Scrooge is three wealthy gentlemen making light of a recent death, remarking that it will be a cheap funeral, if anyone comes at all. One businessman said he would go – but only if lunch is provided. Next, Scrooge is shown the same dead person's belongings being stolen by Scrooge's charwoman Mrs. Dilber, Scrooge's laundress, and the local undertaker and sold to a receiver of stolen goods called Old Joe. He also sees a shrouded corpse, which he implores the Ghost not to unmask. Scrooge asks the ghost to show anyone who feels any emotion over the man's death. The ghost can only show him a poor couple indebted to the man momentarily rejoicing that the man is dead, giving them more time to pay off their debt. After Scrooge asks to see some tenderness connected with death, the ghost shows him Bob Cratchit and his family mourning the passing of Tiny Tim. The spirit then takes Scrooge to a rundown churchyard and shows the repentant miser his own grave; Scrooge then realizes that the dead man of whom the others spoke ill was himself.

text: Horrified, Scrooge begs the ghost for another chance to redeem his life and "sponge away the writing on this stone".

text: Scrooge then awakes to find that the spirit's hand has become his bedpost and that he is back in the present on Christmas morning. Along with the visions supplied by the other spirits, the ghost's warnings about Scrooge's future transform him into a better man.

text: Appearance in various film adaptations[edit]

text:
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tag: table

text:
In the 1935 film Scrooge he is played by C.V. France.
In the 1938 film A Christmas Carol he is played by D'Arcy Corrigan.
In the 1951 film Scrooge he is played by Czesław Konarski.
In the 1954 TV film A Christmas Carol (Shower of Stars), the spirit appears in the form of a black bird who looks down on Scrooge from a tree in a graveyard. The entire Christmas Future sequence takes place there, in which Scrooge walks through the graveyard and sees Tiny Tim's tombstone and his own close together. The entire sequence is brief and dialogue-free.
In Scrooge, the ghost (played by Paddy Stone) reveals itself to have a frozen, dirty skeletal face underneath the shrouded robes, as well as bony skeletal hands.
In the 1979 Dutch musical De Wonderbaarlijke Genezing van (The Wonderful Cure Of) Ebenezer Scrooge, the ghost is played by Steye van Brandenberg.
In Mickey's Christmas Carol, Christmas Future smokes a cigar, blowing fog all over Scrooge McDuck. In the graveyard scene, when Scrooge asks the spirit whose grave they are seeing, the spirit strikes a match to light up the inscription on the gravestone, which bears Scrooge's name. The spirit subsequently reveals himself to be Pete, (voiced by Will Ryan) who pushes Scrooge into the grave replying: "Why yours, Ebenezer. The RICHEST man in the cemetery!"
In the Jetsons episode, The Jetsons Christmas Carol, the spirit first appears to resemble the monolith from 2001, until the front is revealed as being adorned with computer buttons; Spacely refers to him as "The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be...well have a merry one."
In the 1984 made-for-television film, the spirit (played by Michael Carter) responds to Scrooge (played by George C. Scott) in the form of an eerie metallic noise that sounds similar to the screech of a cemetery's gate.
In the 1992 film The Muppet Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (performed by Don Austen) is depicted as a large, faceless figure in a tattered black hood, walking Scrooge (played by Michael Caine) slowly to each place he must visit. At the end, when he reveals Scrooge's grave, Scrooge grabs onto the spirit's robe, tearfully saying that he is a changed man, and pleading for another chance. The robes fall away, and Scrooge finds that he is gripping onto his bed-curtains, having returned from his visitations and awoken on Christmas morning. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come was featured in the "Holiday Time!" entry of The Muppets Character Encyclopedia.
In Scrooged, The Ghost of Christmas Future is a shrouded figure with a skull-like television screen for a head and a skeletal hand. When Frank Cross (the movie's analogue to Scrooge) opens this spirit's robe, he sees several undead figures trapped in a ribcage, howling in anguish and bathed in demonic red light. The howling and light immediately stop when Cross closes the robe.
In the 1993 animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, The Joker describes the Phantasm figure resembling the ghost to Arthur Reeves.
In the 1993 Alvin and the Chipmunks episode, released as Alvin's Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is portrayed by Simon. Ironically, he wears a white suit and a red hat and cape instead of a black robe. He shows Alvin a future Christmas where his desire for presents has ruined his home and his family, making that Christmas miserable. Alvin feels remorse for his selfishness and promises to reform, waking with a changed heart on Christmas Eve. He spends the whole day performing good deeds and at dinner, everyone wishes him a merry Christmas, which Alvin joyfully returns.
In the 1994 animated made-for-television film A Flintstones Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come was originally supposed to be played by Officer Philo Quartz, but it eventually turned out Dino portrayed the Ghost for the same reason Wilma had replaced Garnet as the Ghost of Christmas Past; Philo Quartz had suddenly come down with "The Bedrock Bug".
In The Mask: The Animated Series episode "Santa Mask", The Mask appears as all three spirits to Dr. Pretorius after trapping him in a nightmare. As the Ghost of Christmas Future, he can speak, unlike the original mute Dickens version. He warns the scientist that he will receive a "gift from The Mask", which turns out to be a time bomb.
In Ebbie the spirit, at first, resembles Luther, the security officer at Dobson's. Ebbie Scrooge, at first, approaches him apologizing for her behavior toward him earlier...until she discovers "Luther" is actually her third and final appointment, Christmases Yet to Come.
In the 1998 animated made-for-television film An All Dogs Christmas Carol, Charlie B. Barkin becomes the spirit appearing to Carface Carruthers, but later changes into a yellow outfit resembling The Mask with a Gospel-style musical number.
In the 1999 made-for-television film, the spirit (played by Tim Potter) has shiny eyes that shine through his hood.
In A Diva's Christmas Carol the spirit is portrayed by a miniature television set showing a future episode of Behind the Music about Ebony Scrooge.
In A Carol Christmas the ghost is portrayed as an ominously stern looking chauffeur (played by an uncredited James Cromwell).
In A Christmas Carol: The Musical a blind old beggar woman Scrooge rebuffs later becomes the spirit. She is played by Geraldine Chaplin.
Taz (Jim Cummings) portrays the ghost in Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas.
In Disney's A Christmas Carol, the ghost is depicted as a shadow of a huge cloaked figure (usually in place of Scrooge's own shadow), capable of reaching out in physical form, usually to point at something. Unlike in other depictions, this Spirit actively torments Scrooge in ways such as bursting out to knock him over, chasing him from atop a stagecoach pulled by stampeding horses, and shrinking Scrooge down to an extremely small size (particularly when he encounters Old Joe, the fence). Similar to Mickey's Christmas Carol, his visitation ends with the Ghost revealing on Scrooge's own gravestone that he will die on December 25 of an unspecified (possibly imminent) year, followed by Scrooge falling into an extremely deep grave, seemingly descending all the way to Hell, with a simple pine coffin sitting on top of the glowing red flames. Scrooge hangs on for dear life until the Ghost reveals its true form, causing Scrooge to fall howling into the coffin, but he never falls in completely. He wakes to find himself tangled up in his bed-curtains, with a knot in the wood of his bedroom floor similar in appearance to one in the coffin.
In the Doctor Who 2010 Christmas Special 'A Christmas Carol', the Scrooge-like figure Kazran Sardick becomes himself the Spirit, after the Doctor brings Kazran's younger self into the future to see the hateful man he'll become in a bid to get Young Kazran to change his ways.
Hefty Smurf portrays the spirit in the 2011 animated film The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol. He tells Scrooge (played by Grouchy Smurf) that if he doesn’t repent, all the Smurfs will get captured by Gargamel.
He is portrayed by Nice Peter in a usual black robe and a skeleton head in the Christmas 2013 Epic Rap Battle of History rapping against Scrooge.
In Batman: Noël, the Joker plays the role of the Ghost of Christmas Future.
In Marvel Comics' Marvel Zombies Christmas Carol, the spirit has its traditional appearance, except a skeletal jaw without a skull inside the hood. The ghost is implied to be the future self of Ebenezer Scrooge.
In the Thomas and Friends episode "Diesel's Ghostly Christmas", the Ghost of Christmas Future is portrayed by Thomas the Tank Engine.
In the 2016 My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic episode "A Hearth's Warming Tail", Princess Luna (Tabitha St. Germain) represents the "Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come", renamed for the fictional holiday. The story sees the spirit condemning Starlight Glimmer's Scrooge-like character for her magical efforts to end the holiday which, if unaltered, would result in an eternal snowstorm brought about by wendigos.
In the Animaniacs episode "A Christmas Plotz", The Ghost of Christmas Future is played by Yakko Warner first dressed as the spirit as from A Christmas Carol but soon removes the clothing revealing a flashy suit and singing a Broadway like song constantly insulting Plotz (Yakko: you got a good head on your shoulders Plotz, too bad you don't have a neck) after the music he shows a movie about the future where Ralph's son has taken over Warner Brothers Studios and Plotz has taken Ralph's place as a security guard, constantly being harassed by the Warner siblings.


document_title: RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9)

question_text: when is the finale of rupauls drag race season 9

text: RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9)

text: Contestants[edit]

text: (Ages and names stated are at time of contest)

text:
Contestant
Name
Age
Hometown
Outcome

Sasha Velour
Sasha Steinberg[2]
29
Brooklyn, New York
Winner

Peppermint
Agnes Moore[3]
37
New York, New York
Runner-up

Shea Couleé
Jaren Merrell[4]
27
Chicago, Illinois
3rd/4th Place

Trinity Taylor
Ryan Taylor[5]
31
Orlando, Florida

Alexis Michelle
Alex Michaels[6]
32
New York, New York
5th Place

Nina Bo'nina Brown
Pierre Leverne Dease[7]
34
Riverdale, Georgia
6th Place

Valentina
James Andrew Leyva[8]
25
Echo Park, California
7th Place

Farrah Moan
Cameron Clayton[9]
23
Las Vegas, Nevada
8th Place

Aja
Jay Rivera[7]
22
Brooklyn, New York
9th Place

Cynthia Lee Fontaine
Carlos Diaz[10]
35
Austin, Texas
10th Place

Eureka[a]
David Huggard[7]
25
Johnson City, Tennessee
11th Place[b]

Charlie Hides
Charlie Hides[12]
52
Boston, Massachusetts
12th Place

Kimora Blac
Von Nguyen[7]
27
Las Vegas, Nevada
13th Place

Jaymes Mansfield
James Wirth
26
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
14th Place

text:
Jump up ^ Eureka O'Hara is simply known as Eureka on the show"[1][11]
Jump up ^ Eureka was removed from the competition due to her knee injury she sustained in the second episode.

tag: ol

text: Contestant progress[edit]

text:
Contestant
1[13]
2[14]
3[15]
4[16]
5[17]
6[18]
7[19]
8[20]
9[21]
10[22]
11[23]
12[24]
13[25]
14

Sasha Velour
HIGH
SAFE
SAFE
WIN
SAFE
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
WIN
HIGH
HIGH
SAFE
Guest
Winner

Peppermint
SAFE
SAFE
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
BTM2
SAFE
WIN
HIGH
SAFE
BTM2
SAFE
Guest
Runner-Up

Shea Couleé
SAFE
HIGH
SAFE
WIN
WIN
SAFE
HIGH
HIGH
WIN
BTM2
WIN
SAFE
Guest
Eliminated

Trinity Taylor
SAFE
HIGH
WIN
BTM2
SAFE
SAFE
WIN
LOW
HIGH
WIN
LOW
SAFE
Guest
Eliminated

Alexis Michelle
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
HIGH
HIGH
WIN
SAFE
BTM2
LOW
LOW
ELIM

Guest
Guest

Nina Bo'nina Brown
WIN
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
LOW
HIGH
BTM2
SAFE
BTM2
ELIM

Guest
Guest

Valentina
SAFE
WIN
HIGH
HIGH
SAFE
SAFE
HIGH
SAFE
ELIM

Miss C
Guest

Farrah Moan
SAFE
SAFE
LOW
HIGH
BTM2
LOW
SAFE
ELIM

Guest
Guest

Aja
SAFE
SAFE
BTM2
HIGH
SAFE
SAFE
ELIM

Guest
Guest

Cynthia Lee Fontaine

SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
BTM2
ELIM

Guest
Guest

Eureka
HIGH
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
OUT

Guest
Guest

Charlie Hides
SAFE
LOW
SAFE
ELIM

Guest
Guest

Kimora Blac
SAFE
BTM2
ELIM

Guest
Guest

Jaymes Mansfield
SAFE
ELIM

Guest
Guest

text: Lip-syncs[edit]

text:
Episode
Contestants
Song
Eliminated

2
Jaymes Mansfield
vs.
Kimora Blac
"Love Shack"
(The B-52's)
Jaymes Mansfield

3
Aja
vs.
Kimora Blac
"Holding Out for a Hero"
(Bonnie Tyler)
Kimora Blac

4
Charlie Hides
vs.
Trinity Taylor
"I Wanna Go"
(Britney Spears)
Charlie Hides

5
Cynthia Lee Fontaine
vs.
Farrah Moan
"Woman Up"
(Meghan Trainor)
None

6
Cynthia Lee Fontaine
vs.
Peppermint
"Music"
(Madonna)
Cynthia Lee Fontaine

7
Aja
vs.
Nina Bo'nina Brown
"Finally"
(CeCe Peniston)
Aja

8
Alexis Michelle
vs.
Farrah Moan
"Baby I'm Burning"
(Dolly Parton)
Farrah Moan

9
Nina Bo'nina Brown
vs.
Valentina
"Greedy"
(Ariana Grande)
Valentina

10
Nina Bo'nina Brown
vs.
Shea Couleé
"Cool for the Summer"
(Demi Lovato)
Nina Bo'nina Brown

11
Alexis Michelle
vs.
Peppermint
"Macho Man"
(Village People)
Alexis Michelle

12
All remaining contestants:
Peppermint, Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé, Trinity Taylor
"U Wear It Well"
(RuPaul)
None

14
Peppermint
vs.
Trinity Taylor
"Stronger"
(Britney Spears)
Trinity Taylor

Sasha Velour
vs.
Shea Couleé
"So Emotional"
(Whitney Houston)
Shea Couleé

Peppermint
vs.
Sasha Velour
"It's Not Right But It's Okay"
(Whitney Houston)
Peppermint

text: Guest judges[edit]

text: (In chronological order)

text:
Lady Gaga (singer, songwriter, and actress)
The B-52's (new wave band)
Todrick Hall (actor and singer)
Cheyenne Jackson (actor and singer)
Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman (actor and model)
Naya Rivera (actress and singer)
Meghan Trainor (singer and songwriter)
Candis Cayne (actress)
Denis O'Hare (actor)
Jennie Garth (actress)
Tori Spelling (actress and television personality)
Fortune Feimster (writer, comedian, and actress)
Tamar Braxton (singer and television personality)
Lisa Robertson (television personality and former QVC host)
Noah Galvin (actor)
Kesha (singer and songwriter)
Zaldy (Emmy-nominated fashion designer)
Andie MacDowell (actress)
Joan Smalls (fashion model)

text: Guest judges adapted from Entertainment Weekly.[26][27]

text: Special guests[edit]

text: Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage. (In order of appearance)

text:
Episode 2:

Lisa Kudrow (actress and comedian)

Episode 12:

Todrick Hall (actor and singer)

text: Episodes[edit]

text:
No.
overall
No. in
season
Title
Original air date

104
1
"Oh. My. Gaga!"
March 24, 2017 (2017-03-24)

The first episode featured 13 drag queens enter the work room of RuPaul's Drag Race, where they are met by RuPaul and American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, the latter who posed as a contestant. For the maxi-challenge, each queen were to prepare two runway looks on the main stage in front of RuPaul, Lady Gaga, and co-judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews: one based on their hometown, and the other being adaptions of Gaga's outfits, for the Miss Charisma Uniqueness Nerve and Talent pageant.[13] During the judges critiques, Eureka, Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Sasha Velour were chosen as the top three participants in the pageant, with Nina Bo'Nina Brown winning the title. Before the episode finished, RuPaul abruptly announced a 14th queen entering the competition.[13]

Guest Judge: Lady Gaga
Alternating Judges: Carson Kressley & Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Showcase a hometown styled outfit and a Lady Gaga-inspired outfit in the Miss Charisma Uniqueness Nerve and Talent pageant.
Challenge Winner: Nina Bo'Nina Brown
Main Challenge Prize: A weeklong getaway to The Grand Resort and Spa at Fort Lauderdale Beach.

105
2
"She Done Already Done Brought It On"
March 31, 2017 (2017-03-31)

Carrying on from episode one, RuPaul announced a 14th queen entering the competition, which turned out to be season 8 contestant Cynthia Lee Fontaine, who previously placed 10th in her season. For the main challenge, each queen competed in a cheer-leading battle between two teams, with Fontaine and Nina Bo'Nina Brown serving as team captains; subsequently, the runway theme on the main stage was "White Party Realness".[14] During the judges critiques, Shea Couleé, Trinity Taylor and Valentina were deemed the best for their performances and runway looks, with the latter contestant winning the challenge. Charlie Hides, Kimora Blac and Jaymes Mansfield were criticized for their performances, though Hides was the only contestant out of the three to be commended for her runway look. Hides was declared safe from the bottom two, whist Blac and Mansfield lip-synced against each other to The B-52's "Love Shack"; Blac won the lip-sync, while Mansfield was sashayed away by RuPaul.[14]

Returned: Cynthia Lee Fontaine
Guest Judges: The B-52's
Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Compete in a cheerleading battle
Runway Theme: White Party Realness
Challenge Winner: Valentina
Main Challenge Prize: A wig wardrobe by RockStar Wigs.
Bottom Two: Jaymes Mansfield & Kimora Blac
Lip Sync Song: "Love Shack" by The B-52's
Eliminated: Jaymes Mansfield
Farewell message: "You live to love me more each day. P.S. JK I love you all. J.M"

106
3
"Draggily Ever After"
April 7, 2017 (2017-04-07)

In episode 3, the remaining 13 contestants were asked by RuPaul to create an original fairytale princess look, for the runway, with a sidekick character to portray on the main stage, in front of the panel of judges. During the judges critiques, Peppermint, Trinity Taylor and Valentina were praised for their runway looks and side kick creations, with Trinity Taylor winning the challenge.[15] However, Farrah Moan, Aja and Kimora Blac were criticized for their performances and looks. Out of the three, Moan was declared safe, while Aja and Blac lip-synced against each other to Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero"; Aja won the lip-sync, whilst Blac was sashayed away by RuPaul.[15]

Guest Judges: Todrick Hall & Cheyenne Jackson
Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
Main Challenge: Create an original fairytale princess with a sidekick
Runway Theme: Fairytale Princess Eleganza
Challenge Winner: Trinity Taylor
Main Challenge Prize: $5000 gift card for Casper Sleep.
Bottom Two: Aja & Kimora Blac
Lip Sync Song: "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler
Eliminated: Kimora Blac
Farewell message: "Hey ladies, I ♡ you all! Sisters 4 ever ♡ Kimmy"

107
4
"Good Morning Bitches"
April 14, 2017 (2017-04-14)

In episode 4, the 12 remaining drag queens were asked by RuPaul to act in two live morning talk shows, titled Good Morning Bitches and Not On Today; the contestants also had to conduct an interview with American singer and actress Naya Rivera, who served as the weeks co-special judge.[16] Alongside this, the runway theme of the week was Naughty Nighties.[16] During the judges critiques, team Good Morning Bitches—which included Aja, Alexis Michelle, Farrah Moan, Valentina, and subsequent winners Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour—were all deemed safe, while the Not on Today team were up for elimination. Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Eureka and Nina Bo'Nina Brown were all commended for their performances, despite Fontaine being criticized for her runway look. However, Charlie Hides, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor were all criticized for their performances. Peppermint received the worst reviews for her runway out of the three, but was noted by the judges as the better performer.[16] She was ultimately declared safe, while Charlie Hides and Trinity Taylor lip-synced to Britney Spears' "I Wanna Go"; Taylor won the lip-sync, whilst Hides was sashayed away by RuPaul.[16]

Guest Judges: Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman & Naya Rivera
Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Produce a live morning talk show
Runway Theme: Naughty Nighties
Challenge Winners: Sasha Velour & Shea Couleé
Main Challenge Prize: $1000 and a year-supply of hamburgers courtesy of Hamburger Mary's
Bottom Two: Charlie Hides & Trinity Taylor
Lip Sync Song: "I Wanna Go" by Britney Spears
Eliminated: Charlie Hides
Farewell message: "Ladies, I've enjoyed getting to know each + every one of you! Slay it. xo Charlie"

108
5
"Reality Stars: The Musical"
April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)

In episode 5, the remaining 11 drag queens featured in the season's first mini-challenge to pose in a sexy selfie with the pit crew of RuPaul's Drag Race; Alexis Michelle won the challenge, and was given the authority to choose roles for the maxi-challenge of Kardashian: The Musical. Alongside this, the runway theme of the week was Faux Fur Fabulous.[17] During the judges critiques, Aja, Eureka, Sasha Velour, Trinity Taylor and Valentina were declared safe. Alexis Michelle, Peppermint and Shea Couleé received high critiques for their performances, though Michelle received negative commentary about Alexis' runway look. However, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Farrah Moan and Nina Bo'Nina Brown were all criticized for their performances.[17] Nina Bo'Nina Brown was declared safe from the bottom two, while Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Farrah Moan lip-synced against each other to Meghan Trainor's "Woman Up". Despite their lip-sync, RuPaul removed contestant Eureka from the competition due to an injury that occurred in episode two for the cheer-leading challenge; as a result, Fontaine and Moan were declared safe.[17]

Guest Judges: Meghan Trainor and Todrick Hall
Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
Mini-Challenge: Shoot a sexy selfie with the pit crew
Mini-Challenge Winner: Alexis Michelle
Mini-Challenge Prize: $1000 gift card from fiercequeen.com
Main Challenge: Star in Kardashian: The Musical
Runway Theme: Faux Fur Fabulous
Challenge Winner: Shea Couleé
Main Challenge Prize: A Caribbean Cruise by AllOutVacations
Bottom Two: Cynthia Lee Fontaine & Farrah Moan
Lip Sync Song: "Woman Up" by Meghan Trainor
Removed: Eureka
Farewell message: "Well... Biggie is out but this is NOT the last of Me!! I need all of you to ALWAYS (lol) #beyourselftofreeyourself ♡ Eureka H!! :p"

109
6
"Snatch Game"
April 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)

In episode 6, the 10 remaining drag queens were asked by RuPaul to impersonate any character or celebrity for the series' on-going challenge, the Snatch Game; subsequently, the runway theme was Night of 1000 Madonna's, which was repeated for Season 9 due to the criticism it attracted for its first appearance on season 8.[18] During the judges critiques, Aja, Shea Couleé, Trinity Taylor and Valentina were all declared safe. Alexis Michelle, Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Sasha Velour were praised for their performances and runway looks, though Brown was criticized for having the same theme-based outfit as Trinity Taylor's. Moreover, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Farrah Moan and Peppermint received negative critiques for their performances, while Moan was the only contestant out of the three to have received positive remarks about her runway outfit.[18] Moan was declared safe from the bottom two, while Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Peppermint lip-synced against each other to Madonna's "Music"; Peppermint won the lip-sync, and Cynthia Lee Fontaine was sashayed away by RuPaul.[18] Fontaine finishing in 10th place made her the only contestant to compete in two seasons and be placed in the exact same position after being eliminated.

Guest Judges: Candis Cayne & Denis O'Hare
Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Impersonate celebrities in the Snatch Game
Runway Theme: A Night of a Thousand Madonnas
Challenge Winner: Alexis Michelle
Main Challenge Prize: $2000 package from Sparkles Rhinestones
Bottom Two: Cynthia Lee Fontaine & Peppermint
Lip Sync Song: "Music" by Madonna
Eliminated: Cynthia Lee Fontaine
Farewell message: "Don't stop believe in you!!! Love you, Cucu x xo xo"

110
7
"9021-HO[28]"
May 5, 2017 (2017-05-05)

In episode 7, the 9 remaining drag queens were asked by RuPaul to act in a 90210 parody spin-off, titled 9021-Ho; as a result of contestant Peppermint falling in the bottom two the previous week, RuPaul had given her the authority to choose the roles towards the show. The runway theme of the week was Big Hair Everywhere.[19] During the critiques, Alexis Michelle, Farrah Moan and Peppermint were declared safe. Shea Couleé, Trinity Taylor and Valentina received positive remarks for their performances and runway looks, with Trinity Taylor eventually winning the challenge. However, Aja, Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Sasha Velour were all criticized for their performances yet praised for their runway. Sasha Velour was declared safe from the bottom two, while Aja and Nina Bo'Nina Brown lip-synced against each other to CeCe Peniston's "Finally"; Nina Bo'Nina Brown won the lip-sync, and Aja was sashayed away by RuPaul.[19]

Guest Judges: Jennie Garth & Tori Spelling
Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
Main Challenge: Act in a classic 90's high-school drama
Runway Theme: Big Hair Everywhere
Challenge Winner: Trinity Taylor
Main Challenge Prize: $2000 gift card from Fabric Planet
Bottom Two: Aja & Nina Bo'nina Brown
Lip Sync Song: "Finally" by Cece Peniston
Eliminated: Aja
Farewell message: "Love u guys, please dont be too messy without me! XOXO AJA <3 P.S. Ur all gay!"

111
8
"RuPaul Roast[29]"
May 12, 2017 (2017-05-12)

In episode 8, the 8 remaining drag queens were asked by RuPaul to insult each other for the season's second mini-challenge, often referred as "Reading is Fundamental"; Valentina won the challenge, and was given the authority to assign the line-up for the comedy roast of judge Michelle Visage.[20] During the judges critiques, Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Valentina were declared safe. Peppermint, Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé were praised for their performances, with the Peppermint winning the challenge. However, Alexis Michelle, Farrah Moan, and Trinity Taylor were all deemed the worst during the comedy roast, although Taylor received positive remarks for her runway look. Trinity Taylor was declared safe, while Alexis and Farrah lip-synced against each other to Dolly Parton's "Baby I'm Burning"; Alexis Michelle won the lip-sync, and Farrah Moan was sashayed away by RuPaul.[20]

Guest Judges: Fortune Feimster & Tamar Braxton
Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
Mini-Challenge: Reading Is Fundamental
Mini-Challenge Winner: Valentina
Mini-Challenge Prize: 4-night stay at Saguaro in Palm Springs
Main Challenge: Perform a comedy roast of Michelle Visage in front of a live audience
Challenge Winner: Peppermint
Main Challenge Prize: 5-year membership with SquareSpace
Bottom Two: Alexis Michelle & Farrah Moan
Lip Sync Song: "Baby I'm Burning" by Dolly Parton
Eliminated: Farrah Moan
Farewell message: "Hey ladies! I love you all sooo much. You are all superstars and it's so special to finally have a real family. Good luck & DON'T F**K IT UP! <3 Farrah Moan"

112
9
"Your Pilot's On Fire[30]"
May 19, 2017 (2017-05-19)

In episode 9, the 7 remaining drag queens were asked by RuPaul to form two groups of two, and a group of three, to write, produce and star in their own TV show pilot; the teams were: Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé as team one, Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Valentina as team two, and Alexis Michelle, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor as team three.[21] Subsequently, the runway theme for the main stage was Club Kid Couture. During the judges critiques, Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé won the challenge for their runway looks and performances, becoming the first duo to win more than one challenge in the same season.[21] Elsewhere, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor received positive reviews for their runway looks and performances, whilst team member Alexis Michelle attracted contrasting results. Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Valentina received mixed reviews for their pilots and runway look.[21]
Alexis Michelle was declared safe from the bottom two, while Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Valentina lip-synced against each other to Ariana Grande's "Greedy".[20] However, the lip-sync was stopped by RuPaul because Valentina had a veil (which was part of her runway look) covering her mouth, effectively hindering the lip-sync performance; she subsequently removed it per request by RuPaul. Later, it became clear that Valentina did not know the words to the lip-sync, which (in addition to their performances) made Nina Bo'Nina Brown the winner of the lip-sync, while Valentina was sashayed away by RuPaul.[20]

Guest Judges: Lisa Robertson & Noah Galvin
Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
Main Challenge: Create, write, and star in their own TV pilots
Runway Theme: Club Kid Couture
Challenge Winners: Sasha Velour & Shea Couleé
Main Challenge Prize: $1000 gift certficate from The Spa On Rodeo and a supply of Aquage Professional Haircare products
Bottom Two: Nina Bo'nina Brown & Valentina
Lip Sync Song: "Greedy" by Ariana Grande
Eliminated: Valentina
Farewell message: "Ladies, I love you with all my heart. If ever you need me, I'm yours. Con Amor. Valentina"

113
10
"Makeovers: Crew Better Work[31]"
May 26, 2017 (2017-05-26)

In episode 10, the 6 remaining drag queens were asked by RuPaul to give make-overs of themselves, and six crew members of RuPaul's Drag Race. During the judges critiques, Trinity Taylor won the challenge alongside her partner, with Sasha Velour receiving high critiques. Peppermint was declared safe, while Alexis Michelle, Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Shea Couleé were criticized for their make-over looks. Alexis Michelle was declared safe from the bottom two, while Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Shea Couleé lip-synced against each other to Demi Lovato's "Cool for the Summer"; Shea Couleé won the lip-sync, and Nina Bo'Nina Brown was sashayed away by RuPaul.[22]

Guest Judges: Kesha and Zaldy
Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Makeover members of the "Drag Race" crew and prepare a lip sync performance to RuPaul's Song Click Clack.
Challenge Winner: Trinity Taylor
Main Challenge Prize: Two custom gowns made by David Meister, and a $2,000 gift certificate to Klein Epstein Parker for her drag sister
Bottom Two: Nina Bo'nina Brown & Shea Couleé
Lip Sync Song: "Cool for the Summer" by Demi Lovato
Eliminated: Nina Bo'nina Brown
Farewell message:"Debbie Downer is gone. SUE ME! Shae Coulee hope you struggle cleaning this LOL. Love you all ♡"

114
11
"Gayest Ball Ever[32]"
June 2, 2017 (2017-06-02)

In episode 11, the 5 remaining drag queens were asked by RuPaul to create puppets of each drag queen, and impersonate them in the season's third mini-challenge; Sasha Velour won the challenge, and was given the authority to choreograph a special dance routine, resembling the elements of the LGBT community.[23] Additionally, the contestants were asked by RuPaul to create three runway looks; the first influenced by the traditional LGBT rainbow flag, the second incorporating unicorn aesthetics, and the final being a homage to American male group The Village People. During the critiques, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour received positive critiques, with the former contestant winning the challenge. Alexis Michelle was criticized for all three looks, while Peppermint and Trinity Taylor received mixed reviews. Trinity Taylor was declared safe from the bottom two, while Alexis and Peppermint lip-synced against each other to The Village People's "Macho Man"; Peppermint won the lip-sync, and Alexis Michelle was sashayed away by RuPaul.[23]

Guest Judges: Andie MacDowell and Joan Smalls
Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
Mini-Challenge: Everyone Loves Puppets
Mini-Challenge Winner: Sasha Velour
Mini-Challenge Prize: A $500 gift card for Today Tix
Main Challenge: Compete in a queer culture pageant, design outfits for three different categories - Rainbow-She-Better-Do, Sexy Unicorn, and Village People Eleganza Extravaganza, and create their own gymnastics routine
Challenge Winner: Shea Couleé
Main Challenge Prize: 2 VIP tickets to Cirque du Soleil Zumanity in Las Vegas, including flights and accommodation
Bottom Two: Alexis Michelle & Peppermint
Lip Sync Song: "Macho Man" by Village People
Eliminated: Alexis Michelle
Farewell message: "Wishes come true, not free. you're my sisters... always."

115
12
"Category Is[33]"
June 9, 2017 (2017-06-09)

In episode 12, the remaining four remaining drag queens were asked by RuPaul to write, produce and choreograph an original verse for the remix of his song "Category Is"; additionally, each queen were ask to guest star on RuPaul's podcast What's the Tee?, featuring panel judge Michelle Visage.[24] During the critiques, each contestant received positive critiques about their runway looks—which was their best drag style—and for their longevity in the competition. All remaining drag queens were asked to lip-sync to RuPaul's single "U Wear It Well"; for the first time on the show, no contestants were eliminated on the final challenge, and all four advanced into the grand finale.[24]

Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Write and record a verse for the remix of "Category Is" and guest star on RuPaul's podcast "What's the Tee?"
Lip Sync Song: "U Wear It Well" by RuPaul

116
13
"Reunited"
June 16, 2017 (2017-06-16)[34]

In a reunion episode, the contestants reminisce over the season. Miss Congeniality was announced; previous Miss Congeniality and season 8 and 9 drag queen Cynthia Lee Fontaine announced that fellow contestant Valentina won the title, which sparked criticism amongst all other queens.[25] During the end of the episode, RuPaul announced that the final four contestants would have to lip-sync in groups of two to see who advances to winning America's Next Drag Superstar.[25]

Miss Congeniality: Valentina

117
14
"Grand Finale"
June 23, 2017 (2017-06-23)[35]

The final four queens compete in a sudden death lipsync showdown in the race to crown America's Next Drag Superstar.

Eliminated: Shea Couleè and Trinity Taylor
Runner-up: Peppermint
Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season Nine: Sasha Velour

text: Ratings[edit]

text:
No.
Title
Air date
Rating/share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)

1
"Oh. My. Gaga!"
March 24, 2017
0.5[36]
0.987[36]

2
"She Done Already Done Brought It On"
March 31, 2017
0.4[37]
0.754[37]

3
"Draggily Ever After"
April 7, 2017
0.3[38]
0.673[38]

4
"Good Morning Bitches"
April 14, 2017
0.3[39]
0.588[39]

5
"Reality Stars: The Musical"
April 21, 2017
0.3[40]
0.693[40]

6
"Snatch Game"
April 28, 2017
0.4[41]
0.702[41]

7
"9021-HO"
May 5, 2017
0.3[42]
0.694[42]

8
"RuPaul Roast"
May 12, 2017
0.4[43]
0.738[43]

9
"Your Pilot's On Fire"
May 19, 2017
0.3[44]
0.636[44]

10
"Makeovers: Crew Better Work"
May 26, 2017
0.4[45]
0.720[45]

11
"Gayest Ball Ever"
June 2, 2017
0.3[46]
0.619[46]

12
"Category Is"
June 9, 2017
0.3[47]
0.637[47]

13
"Reunited"
June 16, 2017
0.3[48]
0.685[48]

14
"Grand Finale"
June 23, 2017
0.4[49]
0.859[49]