In a deal concluded in the offices of the McLean family's Washington Post newspaper, Pierre Cartier sold the diamond for US$180,000 (equivalent to $5,886,000 in 2023).

A clause in the sale agreement for the diamond, that was widely believed to bring death and disaster to its owner, stated that "Should any fatality occur to the family of Edward B. McLean within six months, the said Hope diamond is agreed to be exchanged for jewelry of equal value".

Cartier hired a lawyer to sue McLean for payment, who responded by saying it was on a loan for inspection.

[2] On February 2, 1912, the New York Times ran a story with the headline: "Wealthy Purchasers of Famous Stone to Retain It Despite Sinister Reputation.

She was a daughter of Moses Rumsey, Jr., a wealthy pump industrialist, hailing from Saint Louis, Missouri.