What Is the Heart of the Ocean Necklace
The Heart of the Ocean is a blue diamond necklace inspired by the Hope Diamond and popularized by the 1997 film Titanic. The original prop used in the movie was created by jeweler Asprey and is not a natural gemstone, but a cubic zirconia mounted in white gold. The design is based on the 45.52 carat Hope Diamond, a famous deep blue diamond housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The film necklace is an authenticated replica, not the actual Hope Diamond or a natural blue diamond of comparable size.
Prop replicas and limited edition versions of the necklace have been produced by licensed manufacturers and auctioned for charity or collector sales. The original movie necklace has been displayed at museum exhibitions and Titanic-themed events. Asprey, the London-based luxury jeweler, confirmed the prop was a simulated gemstone piece created for the film. The Hope Diamond, which inspired the design, is a natural type IIb blue diamond with a storied history and is not for sale.
Is the Heart of the Ocean Necklace Real as an Investment
Value and Market Data
There is no publicly traded company that owns the Heart of the Ocean necklace, and it does not appear in SEC filings or corporate balance sheets as an investable asset. The film prop has been appraised as a movie artifact rather than a gemstone investment, with estimated insurance values for the prop in the low six figures, depending on condition and exhibition history. Natural blue diamonds of similar size and color, such as the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, have sold at auction for tens of millions of dollars per carat, but the Heart of the Ocean necklace itself is not a comparable investment-grade gemstone.
For investors interested in colored diamonds, the primary market includes auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christie's, which regularly feature blue diamonds in their jewelry sales. The value of the Hope Diamond, which inspired the necklace, is considered priceless and is not insured in the traditional sense. Collectors interested in Titanic memorabilia can find authenticated replicas and props through specialty auction houses and licensed memorabilia dealers, with prices varying based on provenance and documentation.
Current Ownership and Authenticity
Provenance and Certifications
The original Heart of the Ocean necklace prop is held in a private collection and has been loaned for exhibitions, including displays at museums and Titanic memorial events. It is accompanied by documentation from the film production company and Asprey confirming its status as a movie prop rather than a natural gemstone. No independent gemological laboratory, such as the Gemological Institute of America, has graded the necklace as a natural diamond, and no certificate exists for the prop as a real gemstone.
For buyers considering replica versions marketed as Heart of the Ocean jewelry, authenticity depends on the seller and materials used. Licensed replicas typically use cubic zirconia or synthetic blue sapphires, and reputable sellers provide clear disclosures about the gemstone type. The Hope Diamond, which is the natural blue diamond that inspired the design, remains at the Smithsonian Institution and is not part of any commercial transaction. Buyers should verify provenance documents and request independent gemological reports for any blue diamond necklace marketed as a Heart of the Ocean piece.