<P> The story of the Hope Diamond bears many similarities to the story of the Heart of the Ocean with the obvious exception of the Hope Diamond not actually having been on board the Titanic . In the 1953 film Titanic, a blue diamond plays an important role in a love affair as well . A primary plot point in this earlier film is the theft of the diamond, which creates a dramatic break in a romantic relationship which is similar to the 1997 film . </P> <P> In the 1997 film a fictional treasure hunter, Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton), searches for a priceless blue diamond necklace which he believes lies within the wreck of the RMS Titanic . Lovett explains that the necklace was fashioned from a large blue diamond worn by Louis XVI in his royal crown . Shortly after the King's execution in 1793, the diamond was cut into a heart shape and became known as the Heart of the Ocean . The story of the Heart of the Ocean is similar to the story of the Hope Diamond, except the Hope Diamond was worn by Louis XIV in a royal necklace . Lovett's hunch about the diamond's whereabouts seems to be confirmed when his team salvages a drawing in which a nude woman is wearing the necklace . The drawing is dated April 14, 1912, the day the Titanic sank . </P> <P> Later on an elderly woman (Gloria Stuart) watches Lovett's discovery on the news and immediately contacts the salvage team . Claiming to be both the woman in the picture and Rose Dewitt Bukater she is immediately flown out to Lovett's salvage ship . Rose requests to view the recovered drawing and Lovett shows her some artifacts salvaged from the wreck, specifically those recovered from her stateroom on Titanic . During this scene Lovett reveals the origins of the diamond and that if it is recovered the Heart of the Ocean would be worth more than the Hope Diamond . While examining an ornate butterfly comb, Rose becomes emotional and begins detailing her time aboard the Titanic . During the film the audience's perspective alternates between the past and present as Rose shares her memories . Rose divulges the intimate details of her relationship with the artist of the drawing, Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), which leads up to the night of the sinking . </P> <P> On the night of the sinking the diamond changes hands a few times between Rose and Jack, resulting in Jack being framed of its theft by Rose's fiancé Cal . As the ship starts to list dramatically it becomes quite clear that the unsinkable Titanic will indeed sink . With this in mind Rose's fiancé, Cal, returns to the suite and empties the safe placing the precious gem in his overcoat . Later on Cal puts this same coat on Rose as she enters a lifeboat, forgetting about the diamond in its pocket . It is not thoroughly stated whether or not Rose (Gloria Stuart) tells Brock Lovett about Cal emptying his safe along with the diamond, it is assumed she doesn't as Lovett doesn't have any follow up questions . At the end of the film, Rose walks alone to the stern of the salvage ship and opens her hands revealing the necklace . While examining the necklace, Rose has a flashback to 1912 on her arrival in New York and discovers the necklace in the overcoat . Returning to the present, Rose, with a smile, drops the necklace from her hand into the water presumably above the Titanic wreck site . </P>

What is the heart of the ocean worth