The Hope Diamond and other baubles

The Hope Diamond (45.52 carats...India) has existed for more than a billion years.
Since it formed deep within the Earth...
...the Atlantic Ocean has opened, closed, and opened again.
...the dinosaurs have come and gone.
...humans evolved and spread across the face of the Earth.

Over the past three centuries, a rich human history full of mystery and intrigue has made it one of the world’s most famous gemstones.

The Hope Diamond is renowned for its flawless clarity, rare deep blue color, and eventful history.  It is surrounded by 16 white diamonds and suspended from a platinum chain bearing 46 more diamonds. 

That is, when this hunk of rock is in place.  You see that it has been removed.  Removed?  Why on earth???  That is because in honor of the 50th anniversary of the gift of this diamond to the nation, it is getting a new setting next month:

Neither setting would ever be in my beer budget jewelry collection, but I do appreciate the beauty and history fine baubles.

Check out these little beauties:

Napoleon gave the Diadem (tiara) to his second wife, the Empress Marie-Louise, on the occasion of their marriage. Originally the diadem, commissioned in 1810, was set with emeralds, which were replaced in the mid-1950s, with turquoise.  Marjorie Merriweather Post purchased the diadem from Van Cleef & Arpels and donated it to the Smithsonian in 1971…just in case you were wondering.  And the necklace was owned by…hmm, I didn’t get that info and can’t easily find it online at the moment.  I hate when that happens!  Just ooohhh and aaahhh…and know you wouldn’t want to own nor wear this anyway!

These can be seen at the National Museum of Natural History in DC. 

I still have my solid gold plastic tiara that will proudly go with me on the BC4 cruise.  This Duchess has her priorities in order.

Have a Spooktacular day, y’all!