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A Rare Encounter: The Hope and Wittelsbach-Graff Diamonds

January 29, 2010 - September 6, 2010 (new closing date)

Museum: Natural History Museum

Location: 2nd Floor, East Wing, Gems Hall, Harry Winston Gallery

The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is displayed together with the Hope Diamond for the first time. The Wittelsbach-Graff's deep blue color, flawless clarity, and royal history make it one of the most celebrated gemstones known. Its story goes back over 340 years, and the diamond has not appeared in public for more than 50 years. Both diamonds come from India and share their rare blue color. Could they have come from the same mine? Smithsonian scientists compare the properties of both gems and explore this intriguing possibility.

See "What's Up around the Mall" in April 2010 Smithsonian magazine: p. 26.

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