“The Hope Diamond, naked!” exclaimed Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian. At a Wednesday morning media event, Post unveiled the 45.5-carat blue diamond, unadorned by a setting for the first time in the 50 years it has been on display.
And it will stay exactly like that until spring of next year, while its new setting is prepared.
Called “Embracing Hope,” the new setting was the winner in an online poll that drew more than 100,000 voters. It’s being prepared by the Harry Winston Diamond Corp., whose founder donated the stone in 1958.
The diamond will be placed in its temporary setting — a ribbon of white diamonds — in conjunction with the premiere of Smithsonian Channel’s “Mystery of the Hope Diamond” documentary in April 2010 — a high-definition film about the full story of the diamond, from its birth to its mysterious journey through Europe and to its final home at the Smithsonian.
Later in 2010, the stone will revert to its traditional platinum setting, surrounded by 16 white pear-shaped and cushion-cut diamonds, suspended from a chain containing 45 diamonds.
Formed more than 1 billion years ago, the diamond was mined in India and is believed to have once been part of the French crown jewels, having been stolen during the French Revolution. It later came into the possession of Henry Philip Hope, whose name it carries.
It’s rumored to be cursed, although Post said it’s brought the museum “nothing but good luck.” It serves as the anchor of its National Gem Collection.
Above, the diamond without its setting on Wednesday. Below, the temporary setting being created by Harry Winston.
-Additional reporting by Julia Fruchtl
