With the perfect synergy of history and high fashion, the world’s most legendary diamond is slated for a makeover from one of the world’s most famous jewelers.
Over half a century ago, Hollywood favorite Harry Winston purchased the Hope diamond—widely renowned as the largest deep blue diamond in the world—from the estate of American socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean. After a nationwide tour with the 45.52-carat Hope as part of his famous “Court of Jewels”, Winston donated the diamond to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. as a “gift to the American people”—reportedly sending it, astonishingly, through the U.S. postal service.
To honor the 50th anniversary of Winston’s most generous bequest, the American jeweler is giving the diamond a special redesign. The House of Harry Winston has prepared three unique settings, each one symbolizing modern hope in America. The public will be able to vote for its favorite design online from August 19th until September 7th, and the winning setting will be announced during a press conference in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the world premiere of the Smithsonian Channel’s “Mystery of the Hope Diamond”, scheduled to air in March 2010. The Hope’s new setting will be unveiled and televised nationally.
Visit www.smithsonianchannel.com/hope for more information and to cast your vote.