The Hope Diamond is Getting Naked
The Smithsonian is disrobing The Hope Diamond of its current setting and planning to give it a much needed new home – but not without your help.
To celebrate 50 years at the Smithsonian Museum, the world famous Hope Diamond is getting naked. To honor the rare 45.52 carat fancy deep blue diamond, the museum is having three possible new settings designed for the stone. They would like to invite the public to vote for their favorite by visiting:
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/hope
To celebrate the premiere of a Smithsonian Channel documentary on the diamond, the gem will be showing off its new outfit starting in May. Though the winning setting will be selected this fall, it will take nearly 8 months to finish the piece.
In the meantime, The Hope will be hanging in the buff – a first for the storied gem.
“This is a rare and exciting opportunity for people to see the Hope Diamond as it has never been seen before,” said museum director Cristian Samper.
Created more than a billion years ago, the diamond was mined in India and is believed to have been part of the French crown jewels. It later became the property of Henry Philip Hope, whose name it has carried since.
The Hope Diamond is legendary for the supposed curse it puts on whoever owns it, but Smithsonian officials say it has been very kind to them, drawing droves of visitors.
“Hope” for another curse-free half century!
