Image of the Hope Diamond, courtesy the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.Get those credit cards ready, home shoppers. Among the samurai swords, creepy dolls, and faint-inducing children’s DVDs, you may soon be able to purchase your very own Hope Diamond replica. The Smithsonian Institution announced yesterday that they’ve struck a deal with home shopping network QVC to market a jewelry line based on the museum’s National Gem and Mineral Collection, part of the National Museum of Natural History.
Smithsonian curators will oversee the creation of mostly costume jewelry, inspired by the over 350,000 items in the Collection (including the Hope Diamond). “Together, we will create jewelry that is not only fashionable, but also serves to educate the public about the Smithsonian and the jewelry, gems and minerals found in its collections,” Carol LeBlanc, director of consumer products for Smithsonian Enterprises, said in a statement. As the AP notes, the Smithsonian has previously licensed deals for furniture, lighting, books and hobby kits based on its collections.
So we expect insomniacs everywhere to be a little more bejeweled soon, perhaps with a replica of the pumpkin diamond Halle Barry wore during her Oscar win? Marie Antoinette’s earrings? Or how about an intensely set South Sea cultured pearl ring? Just three easy payments of $29.99.