Vote on the best setting for Hope -- the Hope Diamond that is

You will never own it or touch it and there's a chance you may never even be in the same room with it, but until early September you can have a say in what happens to the 45.52-carat blue diamond -- famously known as the Hope Diamond.

Purchased by jeweler Harry Winston from the estate of Evalyn Walsh McLean, the diamond is being reset to mark the 50th anniversary of its donation to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History by jeweler Harry Winston (who, according to lore, literally "mailed it in" at the time -- via the U.S. Postal Service).

The House of Harry Winston has created three possible new settings, and, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Channel, is asking the American people to cast their vote for their favorite here.

The voting runs through Sept. 7, and the result will be announced sometime this fall. The newly set diamond will be revealed in conjunction with the world premiere of the Smithsonian Channel's documentary "Mystery of the Hope Diamond" in March 2010.

But if your design doesn't win, don't despair since this Hope is fleeting too -- by the time 2010 ends, the diamond will be back in its original setting (at right).

-- Adam Tschorn

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Photos: At top, the three proposed temporary settings for the Hope Diamond and, at bottom, as it looks today. Credit: Smithsonian Institution

Comments

[Robin Sateriale]

WHY...WHY...WHY!!! WHY do people feel the need to screw up history. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Like the money to do this could not have been better used. Donated or not. Good GOD people get a clue!!!

[Peter J. Thevaos]

I totally agree with Robin, why change a beautiful classic and it's history. Is this a part of 'Hope and Change'? Pun intended....Peter

[Kathi Wilson]

I did a term paper on the Hope back in high school and am concerned that this change could trigger the curse again. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole! I agree with Robin, the setting isn't all glitzy but it depicts the true history and tradition of this stone. Leave it as is, but improve the setting at the Smithsonian. It could be shown better.

[NDJ]

Why are we wasting so much money in the middle of a recession?

[Kate]

The new settings do nothing to enhance the grandeur of the diamond, rather they make it look subdued and less significant. Yes, the previous setting was over popularized given its imitation a decade ago by the Titantic Heart of the Ocean, but the reason for the replication was because it was awe inspiring. Why attempt to contemporize something with such a historical and even mystical provenance? I think this is one "improvement" that should stay in the vault, or better yet...just throw it overboard.

[Clarence D. Spradley Jr.]

DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING.......This is history! Please.

[Hope Brady]

I believe the Hope Diamond is beautiful the way it is and part of that beauty is its historical value. Changing it doesn't do anything but show how little we value history and art.

[Bob R]

DO NOT CHANG IT!! It is history! Change where the world is going, but NOT WHERE IT HAS BEEN!!
Leave it alone,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, PLEASE!!

[Rayna Ferguson]

The setting of The Hope Diamond should be left as it. It is a timeless classic and resetting it would be like painting lipstick on the Mona Lisa!

[Kim W]

Leave it alone! It should remain as it is!

[Valerie Reynolds]

Hi! Why does this piece of jewellery and history need any adjustment???? Even for a short time..... is not the same. This jewellery was made for some meaning behind it....!!!!!! That is why "It....Hope" is so special.

[T. Maddux]

If it isn't broke...don't fix it. It's perfect the way it is.

[Dana Ogle]

I am voting for renewed Hope....

[Leslie Musselmann]

I agree, do not change the Hope diamond. It is history, and needs to be kept as is. Please leave it so all can see and enjoy the real thing.

[Jessica]

I feel the same way. The Hope Diamond should not be changed. It is so know and veiwed fro the history behind it, as well as the beauty that it has now, not with the potential that it could have. Those settings also ruin the quality and plays down the look of it. I would touch it at all.

[Pat S.]

How can you improve on perfection. I don't care for the new settings. Don't fix something that is not broken.

[KC LOU]

None of these designs even come close to doing this extraordinary diamond justice. Harry Winston, is this the best you can do? I'm very disappointed.

[lydia ferster]

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO CHANGE HISTORY? AND NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ECONOMIC CRISIS NO LESS? iF ITS AIN'T BROKE---DON'T FIX IT. REALLY. LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lisa]

As they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I agree that the display area could be changed, but don't change the setting!!!

[Janell Okaneko]

I believe that the Hope Diamond setting is a part of history and that it should remain as is, unchanged, untampered with. Robin, you are right on. Please people, voice your outrage. Put that money to use, help the starving people of the world.

[mary l shaw]

The original setting for the Hope diamond is too gaudy and does not do justice to its beauty, no doubt a product of its time. It would be nice to keep it in the new setting with the original setting appropriately spread out in the same display. Any one of the new designs would be complimentary to the stone's beauty. My personal favorite is the Journey of Hope with the gracious side sweep. It is very kind of Smithsonion and Mr Winston to include the public is this historic event. Mary L Shaw, blumagic61@yahoo.com.

[tina_hou]

Why would you change perfection. Some things are better left just the way they are.....this is one of those instances

[Mark]

Jeeze people. Did you read the article?
It will go back to it original setting at the end of 2010. Relax.

The setting is just an adjunct to the diamond anyway. That setting is only about 100 years old made by Cartier.

As far as paying for it. I am pretty confident, it's not tax dollars.

[Karen Brown]

Why change it! Leave it as it is "Timeless"

[William J Simonds]

I feel that the current setting for the Diamond is sufficient to show off its beauty. It seems that history would be altered (even though the stone has been re-set before)if redone. Quite frankly, the 3 setting shown above are, in my opinion, tacky and take on the appearance of costume jewelry. If it has to be redone, please consider something more suitable for the history of the Stone. Last, but not least; why would anyone (foundation or not) spend money for such during these perilous financial times? Thanks for listening. Bill Simonds

[Matthew Gillespie]

The history of the Hope Diamond is positively fascinating! I welcome changing its setting as part of its remarkable and change-filled history. I just think all three finalist designs are nonsense, and certainly not worthy of the Hope Diamond.

[Georgie Dade]

There are a lot of people that are fuddy dutties and do not like change. My vote goes for the "Embracing Hope", one can always put it back the way it was.

[Lisa M]

this is just a publicity stunt to drum up more $$$ for the Smithsonian institute. certainly the smithsonian's marketing dept can come up with a more patriotic way to make money than to deface a national treasure. (remember what happened when they changed the chemical formula of Coca cola??) As long as you are going to ruin the Hope diamond, why stop at changing the setting? Why not just tape it to a billboard or use it for body piercing?

[Mary Huston]

I was fortunate to see the Hope Diamond some yrs. ago, and it was one that was a highlight of my life. I was relieved to read, if it is changed, that it'll return to its original setting next year. It sounds like a promotional step for the Museum. Hope it's not tax dollars being used to take this step. I don't feel there is a need to change the setting, but its display setting could be improved.