Embracing Hope - the Hope Diamond in A New Temporary Setting July 27, 2011

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic donation of the Hope Diamond and the museum's centennial, the museum is exhibiting for the first time ever the Hope Diamond in a new temporary setting called 'Embracing Hope.' This setting, designed by master craftsmen at Harry Winston Inc., was selected by the American public in an online vote, sponsored by Smithsonian Channel, with the participation of more than 100,000 people. Set in platinum, the new design surrounds the legendary deep-blue diamond with an extraordinary 340 baguette diamonds and took more than eight months to create. The Hope Diamond will be returned to its historic setting in 2011.