Hope Diamond...and the winner is!

Your votes have been tabulated and the winner is...drum roll please...Embracing Hope!

While the winning design is being crafted, the Hope Diamond will be displayed for the first time out of a setting. The diamond will be exhibited in the winning setting for a limited time at the National Museum of Natural History before being returned to it's historical setting.

The world's most famous diamond, the HOPE DIAMOND, will undergo a special re-design to honor the 50th Anniversary of its donation to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. Given to the Institution as a "gift to the American people" by legendary American jeweler Harry Winston, the Smithsonian Institution and Smithsonian Channel(TM) is celebrating the diamond's legacy by inviting the American public to vote on a new design for the stunning 45.52-carat blue diamond.

The Hope Diamond will be put on display in its new setting at the National Museum of Natural History, and televised nationally as part of the world premiere of the Smithsonian Channel's "Mystery of the Hope Diamond" in March of 2010. The Hope Diamond will be returned to its permanent setting before the close of 2010.

The History: At 45.52 carats, the Hope is the largest deep blue diamond in the world. More than 50 years ago, jeweler to the stars, Harry Winston, purchased it from the estate of the deceased American socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean. After touring the gem around the country as part of his famous Court of Jewels, Harry Winston donated the Hope to the Smithsonian Institution, sending it to Washington, D.C. through the U.S. postal service.

In the Smithsonian Institution's world-class gem collection -- which includes diamonds worn by Marie Antoinette, an immense emerald owned by the Turkish Sultan Abdual Hamid II, and some of the world's largest rubies and sapphires -- the Hope is the most famous jewel.

The Hope has many unique properties that have puzzled experts since its discovery, and its extraordinary history gave birth to the alleged curse -- that all who owned or touched it met great tragedy.

"Who Are You Wearing?" Diamond Information Center Releases Info

Photos: InStyle - (Top) Heidi Klum dazzles in 90 carats of shoulder dusting black diamonds from the Red-Carpet designer Lorraine Schwartz (Middle) Jennifer Morrison of House rocks a fabulously sculptural Vintage Panther ring from Cartier.

"Who Are You Wearing?"

the question is answered by the

Diamond Information Center (DIC).

All the Gown Designers were represented from a very pregnant Heidi Klum in a stunning Marchesa gown to a grown-up and stunning Blake Lively in daring Versace gown (her co-star rocked Cathy Waterman cuffs that added detail to her Grecian inspired Bottega-Veneta gown).

We can always get the fashion answers - we know "who they are wearing". Now thanks to the DIC we have the scoop on the jewels!!!

Did you notice the trend to Vintage? From Hayden Panettierre's Fred Leighton golden snake necklace which featured a diamond studded snake head clasp which she wore in the front to the flashiest piece of the night Jennifer Morrison's Cartier Panther ring in sapphires and diamonds!!!!

data from the DIC:

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF DIAMONDS WAS SHOWCASED IN THE EVENING'S TOP DIAMOND TRENDS featured at the 2009 Emmy Awards. The top diamond trends included:

Sparkling Diamond Earrings

-- Alicia Witt - Martin Katz- Diamond slice earrings with black, brown and cognac diamonds

-- Alyson Hannigan - Chopard - Diamond waterfall earrings

-- Amy Poehler - Chopard - Diamond cluster earrings

-- Angela Kinsey - Chopard - Fancy yellow diamond earrings

-- Anna Gunn - Martin Katz -Everlon Diamond Knot Collection earrings

-- Blake Lively - Lorraine Schwartz - 22 carat diamond stud earrings

-- Chandra Wilson - Chopard - Pear shaped diamond earrings

-- Christina Hendricks - Fred Leighton - Rose cut diamond fern pendant earrings

-- Dana Delaney - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond oval pendant earrings

-- Debra Messing - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and yellow gold leaf earrings

-- Elizabeth Moss - Chopard - 8 carat cushion cut diamond earrings

-- Elizabeth Perkins - Siera - Pave diamond oval earrings

-- Eva La Rue - Chopard - Brown-champagne diamond Copacabana chandelier earrings

-- Gail Simmons - Martin Katz - Yellow opaque diamond drop earrings

-- Glen Close - Fred Leighton - Rose cut diamond pendant earrings

-- Hayden Panettiere- Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century diamond shell earrings

-- Holly Hunter - Martin Katz - 4 carat oval diamond drop earrings

-- Hope Davis - Chopard - Pear shape pink and white diamond chandelier earrings

-- Jane Krakowski - Diamond mesh earrings

-- January Jones - Neil Lane- Diamond drop earrings

-- Jeanne Tripplehorn - Diamond in the Rough - Rough orielle cognac diamond studs earrings - 8.92 earrings

-- Jenna Fischer- Sutra - Sutra diamond pendant earrings

-- Jennifer Carpenter- Martin Katz- Black and white diamond kite earrings

-- Jennifer Love Hewitt - H. Stern - Diamond waterfall earrings

-- Jennifer Morrison - Cartier- 3 carat each diamond stud earrings

-- Jennifer Wesfeldt - Martin Katz- Pear diamond drop earrings

-- Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Neil Lane - Diamond chandelier earrings

-- Julie Benz - Chopard - 11 carat cushion cut diamond drop earrings

-- Katrina Smirnoff - Diamond linear earrings

-- Kate Walsh - Diamond and yellow gold cluster earrings

-- Katrina Bowden - Fred Leighton - Antique diamond pendant earrings with pear shape drops

-- Kristen Chenowith - Tiffany - Diamond stud earrings

-- Lisa Edelstein - Neil Lane - Diamond drop earrings

-- Marcia Gay Harden - Fred Leighton - Rose cut and ombre pink diamond briolette cluster pendant earrings- 60 carats

-- Melora Hardin - Chopard - 30 carat yellow diamond chandelier earrings

-- Mila Kunis - Fred Leighton - Rose cut and brilliant cut diamond chandelier earrings

-- Mindy Kaling - Martin Katz - Black diamond drop earrings

-- Olivia Wilde - Kwiat - Diamond pave drop earrings

-- Patricia Arquette - Neil Lane - Black diamond studs

-- Perrey Reeves - R.S. Durant - Diamond drop earrings on a French wire

-- Rose Byrne - Judith Ripka - Diamond drop earrings

-- Sally Field - Maritn Katz - Marquise shape diamond earrings

-- Sarah Silverman - Diamond drop earrings

-- Tina Fey - Fred Leighton - 1920's diamond and onyx pendant earrings

-- Vanessa Williams - Diamond pendant earrings

-- Yunjn Kim - Chopard - Diamond hoop earrings

Exquisite Diamond Bracelets

-- Alicia Witt - Martin Katz - 5 black diamond bangle bracelets and black and white diamond line bracelets

-- Alyson Hannigan - Chopard - Diamond mesh bracelet

-- Amy Poehler - Chopard - Fancy shaped diamond bracelet- 49 carats

-- Anna Gunn - Martin Katz - Diamond 4 row bracelet

-- Blake Lively - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and rock crystal cuff bracelet

-- Cat Deeley- Diamond bracelets

-- Dana Delaney - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond mesh bracelet

-- Debra Messing - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and yellow gold cuff bracelet

-- Elizabeth Moss - Chopard - Two fancy cut diamond bracelets- 54 carats and cushion cut diamond bracelet- 36 carats

-- Gail Simmons - Martin Katz - Diamond link bracelet

-- Holly Hunter - Martin Katz - 28 carat rose cut diamond bracelet

-- January Jones - Neil Lane- Diamond leaf bracelet

-- Jenna Fischer- Amrapali - Diamond bangle

-- Jennifer Carpenter- Martin Katz- Black diamond bead bracelet and 8 row diamond bracelet

-- Jessica Lange - Diamond bracelet

-- Julie Benz - Chopard - 37 carat princess cut diamond bracelet

-- Kate Walsh - Diamond and yellow gold stacked bracelets circa 1950

-- Lisa Edelstein - Neil Lane - Stacked diamond bracelets on both wrists

-- Melora Hardin - Chopard - Fancy yellow princess cut diamond bangle- 15 carats

-- Mila Kunis - Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century Diamond Bow Bracelet

-- Mindy Kaling - Martin Katz - Diamond bangle bracelets

-- Olivia Wilde - Kwiat - Diamond line bracelet

-- Patricia Arquette - Neil Lane - Diamond and rock crystal bracelet

-- Rose Byrne - Judith Ripka - Diamond bracelet

-- Sally Field - Maritn Katz - Diamond line bracelet, diamond 4 row bracelet, 7 row diamond bracelet and 2 black diamond snake bracelets

-- Sarah Silverman - Diamond cuff bracelet

-- Tina Fey - Fred Leighton - Diamond and rock crystal bangle bracelet

Spectacular Diamond Rings

-- Alyson Hannigan - Chopard - Diamond rings

-- Amy Poehler - Chopard - Square brilliant diamond ring- 6 carats

-- Anna Gunn - Martin Katz - Marquise diamond ring

-- Blake Lively - Lorraine Schwartz - 12 carat diamond ring surrounded by pave diamonds

-- Cat Deeley - Diamond rings

-- Chandra Wilson - Chopard - Pear shaped diamond ring

-- Christina Hendricks - Fred Leighton - 18 carat black cushion cut diamond ring

-- Debra Messing - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and yellow gold ring

-- Eva La Rue - Chopard - Heart shape fancy brownish yellow diamond ring

-- Hayden Panettiere- Fred Leighton - 4 carat rose cute diamond ring

-- Jenna Fischer- Neil Lane - Diamond ring

-- Jennifer Carpenter- Martin Katz- 41.45 carat black diamond ring

-- Jennifer Morrison - Cartier- Diamond panther ring

-- Jennifer Wesfeldt - Martin Katz- 5 carat oval diamond ring

-- Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Neil Lane - Diamond ring

-- Kate Walsh - Diamond and yellow gold ring circa 1880

-- Katrina Bowden - Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century diamond cluster ring

-- Lauren Velez - Chopard - 2 diamond bands

-- Lisa Edelstein - Neil Lane - Diamond ring

-- Marcia Gay Harden - Neil Lane - Neil Lane diamond pave ring

-- Mariska Hargitay - Fred Leighton - Cushion cut diamond band ring

-- Melora Hardin - Chopard - 20 carat starburst yellow and white diamond ring

-- Patricia Arquette - Neil Lane - Diamond and platinum cocktail ring

-- Perrey Reeves - R.S. Durant - Diamond triple band ring

-- Sally Field - Maritn Katz - Rose cut black diamond ring

-- Tina Fey - Fred Leighton - Antique cluster diamond ring

The following celebrities wore diamonds to the 61st Annual Emmy Awards:

-- Alicia Witt - Martin Katz - 5 black diamond bangle bracelets, black and white diamond line bracelets, and diamond slice earrings with black, brown and cognac diamonds

-- Alyson Hannigan - Chopard - Diamond mesh bracelet, diamond waterfall earrings, and diamond rings

-- Amy Poehler - Chopard - Fancy shaped diamond bracelet- 49 carats, diamond cluster earrings, and square brilliant diamond ring - 6 carats

-- Angela Kinsey - Chopard - Fancy yellow diamond earrings

-- Anna Gunn - Martin Katz - Diamond 4 row bracelet, Everlon Diamond Knot Collection earrings, marquise diamond ring

-- Blake Lively - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and rock crystal cuff bracelet, 22 carat diamond stud earrings, and a 12 carat diamond ring surrounded by pave diamonds

-- Cat Deeley - Diamond bracelets, diamond chandelier earrings, diamond rings, and diamond chain in hair

-- Chandra Wilson - Chopard - Fancy shaped diamond pendant necklace, pear shaped diamond earrings, and pear shaped diamond ring

-- Christina Hendricks - Fred Leighton - Rose cut diamond fern pendant earrings and 18 carat black cushion cut diamond ring

-- Dana Delaney - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond mesh bracelet and diamond oval pendant earrings

-- Debra Messing - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and yellow gold cuff bracelet, diamond and yellow gold leaf earrings, and diamond and yellow gold ring

-- Elizabeth Moss - Chopard - Two fancy cut diamond bracelets- 54 carats, cushion cut diamond bracelet- 36 carats, and 8 carat cushion cut diamond earrings

-- Elizabeth Perkins - Siera/Yvel - Diamond earrings and Yvel diamond brooch

-- Eva La Rue - Chopard - Brown-champagne diamond Copacabana chandelier earrings, heart shape fancy brownish yellow diamond ring

-- Gail Simmons - Martin Katz - Diamond link bracelet and yellow opaque diamond drop earrings

-- Glen Close - Fred Leighton - Rose cut diamond pendant earrings

-- Hayden Panettiere- Fred Leighton - 19th Century old mine cut diamond snake diamond snake necklace, 19(th) Century diamond shell earrings, and 4 carat rose cute diamond ring

-- Holly Hunter - Martin Katz - 28 carat rose cut diamond bracelet and 4 carat oval diamond drop earrings

-- Hope Davis - Chopard - Pear shape pink and white diamond chandelier earrings

-- Jane Krakowski - Diamond mesh earrings

-- January Jones - Neil Lane- Diamond drop earrings and diamond leaf bracelet

-- Jeanne Tripplehorn - Diamond in the Rough - Rough Orielle Cognac diamond studs earrings- 8.92 earrings

-- Jenna Fischer- Amrapali/Sutra/Neil Lane - Amrapali diamond bangle, Sutra diamond pendant earrings, and Neil Lane diamond ring

-- Jennifer Carpenter- Martin Katz- Black diamond bead bracelet, 8 row diamond bracelet, black and white diamond kite earrings, and 41.45 black diamond ring

-- Jennifer Love Hewitt - H. Stern - Diamond waterfall earrings

-- Jennifer Morrison - Cartier- 3 carat each diamond stud earrings and diamond panther ring

-- Jennifer Wesfeldt - Martin Katz- 7 carat rose cut diamond pendant necklace, pear diamond drop earrings, and 5 carat oval diamond ring

-- Jessica Lange - Diamond bracelet

-- Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Neil Lane - Diamond chandelier earrings and diamond ring

-- Julie Benz - Chopard - 37 carat princess cut diamond bracelet, 9 carat emerald cut diamond ring, and 11 carat cushion cut diamond drop earrings

-- Katrina Smirnoff - Diamond linear earrings

-- Kate Walsh - Diamond and yellow gold stacked bracelets circa 1950, diamond and yellow gold cluster earrings, and diamond and yellow gold ring circa 1880

-- Katrina Bowden - Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century Diamond Necklace, antique diamond pendant earrings with pear shape drops, and 19th Century diamond cluster ring

-- Kristen Chenowith - Tiffany - Diamond stud earrings

-- Lauren Velez - Chopard - Diamond ice cube ring and 2 diamond bands

-- Lindsay Price - Fred Leighton - 19th Century diamond maltese cross brooch

-- Lisa Edelstein - Neil Lane - Stacked diamond bracelets on both wrists, diamond drop earrings, and diamond ring

-- Marcia Gay Harden - Fred Leighton/Neil Lane - Fred Leighton rose cut and ombre pink diamond briolette cluster pendant earrings - 60 carats and Neil Lane diamond pave ring

-- Mariska Hargitay - Fred Leighton - Cushion cut diamond band ring

-- Melora Hardin - Chopard - Fancy yellow princess cut diamond bangle- 15 carats, 30 carat yellow diamond chandelier earrings, 20 carat starburst yellow and white diamond ring

-- Mila Kunis - Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century Diamond Bow Bracelet, rose cut and brilliant cut diamond chandelier earrings

-- Mindy Kaling - Martin Katz - Diamond bangle bracelets and black diamond drop earrings

-- Olivia Wilde - Kwiat - Diamond line bracelet and diamond pave drop earrings

-- Patricia Arquette - Neil Lane - Diamond and rock crystal bracelet, black diamond studs, and diamond and platinum cocktail ring

-- Perrey Reeves - R.S. Durant - Diamond drop earrings on a French wire and diamond triple band ring

-- Rose Byrne - Judith Ripka - Diamond bracelet and diamond drop earrings

-- Sally Field - Maritn Katz - Diamond line bracelet, diamond 4 row bracelet, 7 row diamond bracelet, 2 black diamond snake bracelets, Marquise shape diamond earrings and rose cut black diamond ring

-- Sarah Silverman - Diamond cuff bracelet and diamond drop earrings

-- Tina Fey - Fred Leighton - Diamond and rock crystal bangle bracelet, 1920's diamond and onyx pendant earrings, and antique cluster diamond ring

-- Vanessa Williams - Diamond pendant earrings

-- Yunjn Kim - Chopard - Diamond hoop earrings

SOURCE: Diamond Information Center

Industry Watchdog - Jewelers Ethics Association

Jewelers Ethics Association Benefits Both Industry and Consumers Marysville , WA (September 18, 2009) -- Recent events regarding non-disclosure of gemstone treatments have eroded consumer confidence in the jewelry and gemstone industry. The Jewelers Ethics Association (JEA) is a new organization formed to promote and support ethical business practices within the trade by providing information, education and mediation for consumers and the industry. Membership is open to all members of the trade, as well as consumers. "Over the past several years a widening gap has formed between consumers and the trade regarding information and knowledge," explains JEA President Lisa Brooks-Pike. "No medium such as a consumer reporting organization exists for our industry, and there is very little enforcement of the FTC guidelines. We hope to help bridge this gap". JEA industry members must agree to do business in accordance with the JEA's strict Code of Ethics. They will receive frequent updates regarding the latest advancements in treatments and synthetics, as well as educational tips to help train their employees. Consumer members will have access to the latest gem and jewelry news and information, as well as a list of JEA member jewelers in their area and online where they can shop with confidence, and dispute resolution, if necessary. For more information, or to schedule an interview with Lisa Brooks-Pike visit the Jewelers Ethics Association website or email Sherman Pike at: sherman@jewelersethicsassociation.com.

Jewelry Tour to India - Fall @ the 92nd Street Y Jewelry Center

Fall @ the 92nd Street Y Jewelry Center Jewelry Tour to India Join Jonathan Wahl, the director of the Jewelry Center, and seasoned India travel guides, Dana Sawyer and goldsmith Stephani Sawyer, for a tour of the spectacular jewelry, decorative arts and sights of northern India. Dana is a professor of religion and philosophy at the Maine College of Art and an expert on Indian religions and culture, having traveled to India many times over a thirty-year period. Dana is fluent in Hindi. Stephani is a professional goldsmith (stephanibriggs. com) and jewelry designer who first visited India on a Rotary scholarship in 1994, and returned nine more times. Go behind the scenes in gem cutters' workrooms, see ancient goldsmithing techniques in practice and Meenakari/enameling in some of the most mythical places in India: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Jodhpur. Don't miss your chance to be part of this one-of-a-kind tour! Call the Art Center at 212.415.5562 for information. To register please visit <http://www.92y.org/>

or call 212 415-5500 Jonathan C Wahl, Director The Jewelry Center the 92nd Street Y 1395 Lexington Ave NY, NY, 10128 212 415-5564 fax 212 415-5568 office hours Mon-Wed. The largest program of its kind in the nation. Celebrating 79 years

Christine Dhein Announces Green Jewelry Archives

You all know that I am a huge fan of Christine Dhein and her Green Jewelry News...I have some GOOD NEWS!!!! Past articles are now archived for all to read! The Green Jewelry News is only available by subscription (Free) and every issue is chock full of great articles and tips for greener jewelry design...enjoy reading the articles you may have missed!

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Green Jewelry Archives Now Available On-Line! Images from the Green Jewelry News archives Readers and students often ask me where to find information that I have covered in past issues of Green Jewelry News. To make this important information available to everyone, I have archived past issues. Below is a list of the featured articles from past issue and a link to each. August, 2009 Summer Exhibitions Go Green! Marketing Green Jewelry Tips from our Readers - Green Shipping Materials by Tamara McFarland May, 2009 Brilliant ReUse Exhibition & Demos at Maker Faire Mining Reform Bill Write Your Representatitves Tips from Our Readers - Reduce Pickel Use by James Binnion April, 2009 - Earth Day Issue Tips from our Readers - Green Studio Practices by WILLYjewelry Responsible Jewelry Council Successful Students Set Green Jewelry Goals Sustainable Jewelry Raises Funds for Charity February, 2009 Obama's Call to Action Ask Your Suppliers Green Jewelry Class Energy Efficiency Checklist December, 2008 Jewelry_cycle Update Recycled Gift Wrapping Tip of the Month - Chemical Responsibility November, 2008 - Premier Issue Jewlery_cycle Radical Jewelry Makeover Tip of the Month - Cleaning Sterling without Chemicals

Fall/Winter 2009 EIM classes are here!

Fall/Winter 2009 EIM classes are here!

When money is tight, be rich in knowledge—the most important asset a jeweler can have. Rio Grande's Education in Motion classes: • Help you keep up with the latest innovations and develop new, exciting skill sets. • Offer a wide variety of cutting-edge topics taught by our expert instructors. • Are all-inclusive! No need to purchase extra supplies or bring your own tools—simply bring your thirst for knowledge. From all things PMC (PMC Cert Workshops, COPPRclay, BRONZclay, Stone setting in PMC) with some of the leaders in the field to classes for the MetalHeads (the Basics and more): Basic Bench Skills Basic and Intermediate Stone Setting Basic Soldering Basic Casting Metal Forming FlexShaft 101 ...as well as Pearl Stringing, Beg. Wire Wrapping, Beg. ChainMail, Glass Flameworking... NEW! this time around are: Basic Enameling Using Microfold Textures in Jewelry Fusing and Granulation with Argentium Silver For a printable planning schedule see: http://www.rioperfect.com/pages/fall_2009.pdf

Into the Wild...Field Gemology Expedition to East Africa...

For those of you who aren't familiar with Vincent Pardieu B.Sc., GGA, G.G. - he is the self proclaimed "Shameless Travel Addicted Gemologist" . Vincent is "Supervisor, Field Gemology" at GIA Laboratory Bangkok. He is a gemologist specializing in "origin determination of gemstones".

His site Field Gemology is where he posts details of his travels and is also home for Vincent's regular traveling companions: David Bright, Jean Baptiste Senoble, Richard W. Hughes, Guillaume Soubiraa, Walter Balmer, Michael Rogers, Kham Vannaxay and many others like recently: Philippe Ressigeac, Oliver Segura , Flavie Isatelle and Lou Pierre Bryl.

Currently he is on a GIA Field Expedition to East Africa...an excerpt follows.

GIA FE09 (GIA Laboratory Bangkok Field Expedition 09): Part 01: Aug. 29 - Sep. 02, 2009: Tanzania:

This is the first part of the GIA Field Expedition to East Africa, I'm leading for the GIA Laboratory Bangkok: I arrived in Arusha, Tanzania from Bangkok with Canadian gemologist Lou Pierre Bryl on Aug. 28th 2009 in the morning. We were joined there in the evening by Swiss gemologist Stephane Jacquat.

Our first task was to prepare the things for the coming expedition to Mozambique and Tanzania scheduled for Sept 2009. We met our usual local Tanzanian contacts: Mark Saul from "Swala Gem Traders", Abdul Y. Msellem, a Tanzanian broker I had already as guide in 2005, 2007 and 2008 and Moussa our driver (from Fortes Safaris). Thanks to their support after a short visit to the Arusha mining officer and few phone calls to different miners, we got rapidly everything ready regarding our vehicle, our schedule, the necessary paperwork to enter the mining areas.

Few hours after our arrival we could start our visit with the Arusha market and the "Tanzanite Experience", a very interesting museum dedicated to Tanzanite located just opposite of the Tanzanite One office in Arusha. There we could have a very interesting visit. That museum really worth the visit as at the end we had the pleasure to be able to see and manipulate a very fine and large Tanzanite crystal which is used for demonstration.

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For more go to FieldGemology.org - the journey continues...

Make the time to check out this information --- whether you are an adventurist, climber, collector, jeweler or gemologist you will find a story here that will thrill you!