Hope Diamond Gets New Setting
August 23, 09
In celebration of receiving the Hope Diamond as a gift, the Smithsonian Institute is exploring a new setting for the stone. Famed jeweler Harry Winston donated the large blue diamond and current setting to the museum 50 years ago. 
The Smithsonian Institute is asking the public to vote on one of three new settings for the diamond, designed by the Harry Winston firm.
Starting in September, and while the new setting is ready, the rare diamond will be displayed without its setting.
In 1996, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graded the stone and described the color as fancy deep grayish-blue