Hope Diamond to get new setting soon

Washington: The Hope Diamond is going bare to celebrate a half-century at the Smithsonian Institution.

The mysterious blue gem was donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History more than 50 years ago, and the museum is celebrating by having a new setting designed.

Starting in September, the 45.52 carat diamond will be exhibited as a stand-alone gem with no setting.

New York jeweller Harry Winston donated the fabled diamond to the museum, and his company is designing three possible new settings.

Starting yesterday the public is being invited to vote online for their favorite, at http:www.smithsonianchannel.com/hope

The winning setting will be announced late this year. The Hope has been removed from its setting for cleaning from time to time, but this is the first time it will be on public view by itself.

AP

Fabled blue gem

The Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum in Washington.