Ba-da Bling!

I was fortunate to spend a few days in Washington, D.C. awhile back and I'd like to share some of my sight-seeing highlights with you. Today, the Smithsonian and, more specifically, its famous jewel collection.

The most famous, of course, is the Hope Diamond.

The famous blue Hope Diamond is what remains of the original 112-carat stone. It was cut down to 68 carats in 1673 and today weighs "only" 45.52 carats. A mere bagatelle!

Perhaps blue isn't your color. How about red?

This lovely bangle contains 60 carats of antique-cut Burmese rubies surrounded by 27 carats of diamonds.

If you prefer the simplicity of white diamonds, perhaps this necklace will strike your fancy.


This striking necklace was once owned by the same woman who owned the Hope Diamond. It contains 1,050 diamonds totaling 63 carats in a platinum setting.

Or maybe you'd just like a simple pair of earrings like these lovelies once owned by Marie Antoinette.

These pear-shaped diamonds weigh 14.25 carats and 20.34 carats, respectively.

If you were born in May like me, you may think this emerald beauty was made for you. Sorry, but no.

This 167-carat Colombian emerald is set in a pendant containing 35 emeralds and more than 2,000 diamonds.

I saw many, many gorgeous jewels at the Smithsonian, but the most beautiful, breathtaking thing of all was this diadem that once belonged to Empress Marie-Louise of France.

This diadem contains 540 carats of Persian turquoise and more than 1,000 "old mine" diamonds totaling 700 carats.

The original diadem, created in 1810, was made with emeralds, but they were replaced with the turquoise in the 1950s. Why, I don't know, but I think it's stunning as is. I think I could find room for it in my jewelry box.

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