You will never get to wear it around your neck, but the Smithsonian Museum is allowing you to choose how you would wear the Hope Diamond if you ever got the chance.
To mark the fabled gemstone’s fiftieth anniversary in Washington, the Smithsonian is allowing the public to vote online for three new possible settings to display the gem. Commissioned by famed jeweler and donator of the diamond, Harry Winston, the three settings are more artistic and modern designs in platinum and white diamonds.
Formed more than a billion years ago and discovered in India, the 45.52 carat deep blue stone will be displayed bare for the first time in the National Museum of Natural History until October when the winning design is announced.
Those who may prefer its original setting — 16 white pear-shaped and cushion-cut diamonds surrounding the gem and dangling on a chain of another 45 diamonds — need not worry. The stone will go back to its original setting in late 2010.
We’ll take it anyway we can.
