Talk Highlights:
- Anna Rasche, gemologist, jewelry historian, and bestselling author of The Stone Witch of Florence, returns to share insights from her latest captivating, jewel-inspired novel, The Cursed Diamond
- Uncover the mysterious story of the "Brunswick Blue Diamond,” a rare precious stone that disappeared more than a century ago
- Get an insider's perspective on the goings-on of Manhattan's Diamond District, where Anna worked for years
About The Cursed Diamond:
"She blamed the diamond; and as one woman to another, she begged me to throw it away and break its spell." This quote from Evalyn Walsh McLean, owner of the Hope Diamond, opens The Cursed Diamond, illustrating the gemstone’s power, pull, and danger.
2010. Jennie is working as a runner in the Diamond District when a friend’s sudden death leaves her with a cryptic note: “Not Safe.” Her search for answers leads her to an antique jewelry box, a clue to a century-old mystery and the legend of the Midnight Diamond—a rare blue gem rumored to bring ruin to all who possess it. As Jennie is pulled deeper into a world of secrets and danger, she realizes she is not just chasing a lost treasure; she is uncovering a story that was meant to stay buried.
1910. On an ocean liner bound for New York, heiress Marcella Porter returns home after being disgraced by scandal in London. Her path collides with a charismatic nobleman and the magnificent Midnight Diamond, which she unknowingly smuggles into the city. Mesmerized by its brilliance, Marcella feels an irresistible pull toward the diamond, and when the glittering façade of her charmed life begins to crack, Marcella must decide whether the Midnight Diamond is her salvation—or her doom. Can the ancient curse be broken before it brings more ruin?
About Anna Rasche:
Anna Rasche is an author, gemologist, and jewelry historian who has previously worked in the jewelry collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her debut novel, The Stone Witch of Florence, was an October 2024 Indie Next pick, and was recommended by the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher’s Weekly, BookRiot, and many others. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, CrimeReads, and elsewhere. Her second novel The Cursed Diamond, is coming November 3, 2026 from HarperCollins/Park Row Books. Follow Anna on Instagram: @by_annarasche Follow Anna on Facebook: AnnaRascheAuthor
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