The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872

A closer look at The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872

What this Smithsonian article covers

This piece from Smithsonian magazine tells the story of the Great Diamond Hoax of 1872: how two Kentucky grifters, Philip Arnold and his cousin John Slack, staged a scheme that entangled bankers, miners, lawyers and businessmen and was later exposed by a geologist. It traces the backdrop of western mineral rushes, the pair’s methods (including a bag of rough diamonds mixed with other gems), and the social fallout when the hoax unfolded.

What you can actually read and learn on the page

The article gives narrative detail about the characters involved (Arnold, Slack, George D. Roberts, William C. Ralston, Asbury Harpending and others) and explains how the con played on contemporary hopes for mineral wealth after the gold and silver rushes. It follows how the story spread through San Francisco financiers and shows how scientific scrutiny ultimately helped reveal the fraud.

Who will find this article useful

Readers interested in 19th-century American history, frauds and financial schemes, mining history, or notable episodes from the American West will find this account relevant. It’s written as a historical narrative, so people who prefer a story-driven, character-focused retelling rather than a dry summary or technical report will appreciate it.

Questions people ask about The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872

Does the article explain how the hoax was uncovered?

Yes; it says the scheme was unraveled and notes that a man of science, a geologist, exposed the fraud, showing science could prevail over the scam.

Does the page identify the main perpetrators by name?

Yes; it names Philip Arnold and his cousin John Slack as the two Kentucky grifters who executed the scam.

Is there background on why people believed the scheme?

Yes; the article describes the fever for mineral discoveries after gold and silver rushes and mentions contemporary stories and finds that made people receptive to a diamond strike in the West.

The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872 was shared on NexURLs by Nexis on November 1, 2026, in History & Culture. So far it has 1 like from members.