One of the most precious jewelry pieces in the world is undergoing a ‘change of image”. The 45.52-carat deep-blue Hope Diamond which is a part of The Smithsonian Institution collection will be mounted in a new setting designed by legendary jewelry company Harry Winston Inc. who also owns the stone. The Smithsonian Institution is inviting the public to vote on one of three new setting designs through September 7th. The winning setting will be announced this fall.
Until the new setting is fabricated, the Hope Diamond will be exhibited as a stand-alone gem with no setting.
"This is a rare and exciting opportunity for people to see the Hope Diamond as it has never been seen before," Director of the National Museum of Natural History Cristian Samper said in the press release. "It is one of the most popular artifacts at the entire Institution--it is very fitting that we honor its Smithsonian legacy with such a unique celebration."
The diamond in a new setting is expected to debut in May 2010 to celebrate the premiere of the Smithsonian Channel's Mystery of the Hope Diamond documentary.
During the past 50 years, the Hope Diamond has been mounted in a Cartier-designed platinum setting surrounded by 16 pear-shaped and cushion-cut colorless diamonds and suspended from a chain containing 45 diamonds.
According to the Smithsonian, the diamond was formed more than a billion years ago, 90 miles below the Earth's surface. It was brought to the surface by a volcanic eruption and was discovered in the 17th century in a mine in Golconda, India.
In 1668, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French gem merchant, sold the diamond to King Louis XIV of France. The diamond was stolen during the French Revolution and subsequently had many owners, including King George IV of England and Henry Philip Hope, for whom the diamond was named. Harry Winston was the diamond's last private owner.
The Hope Diamond was long thought to have a curse, bringing bad luck to its owners, but Smithsonian officials say it has been kind to them, drawing throngs of visitors.