The Smithsonian Institution had an important announcement this week–announcing that it was about to license its legendary gem and jewelry collection.  The anticipated jewelry line will launch this fall, with an array of baubles, bracelets and brooches to be sold through the QVC network.  The Smithsonian’s legendary collection includes, of course, the Hope Diamond, as well as antique Marie Antoinette earrings and 375,000 other special jewelry items that will be inspiring many of the items in the anticipated jewelry collection.

Even though the items will be inspired the Smithsonian’s Hope Diamond, the actual collection won’t be featuring any actual diamonds.  Maybe some of you out there are looking for classic diamond jewelry items that have their inspiration in timeless hand-crafted expressions of beauty.  Then Roberto Coin might give you that appeal you’d find in the Smithsonian collection.  Heavily inspired by romantic notions of beauty found in classic jewelry items, Roberto Coin jewelry items also feature a single hidden ruby, partially based on their symbolic significance in many cultures.

This Smithsonian-licensed jewelry line follows in the footsteps of several other Smithsonian licensing deals, including furniture, lighting, book and hobby kits modeled after some of the institution’s special collections. This collection released through QVC will feature primarily costume jewelry and semi-precious stones.   Many of the earrings, rings, bracelets, pins and baubles will be based on actual pieces in the museum’s collection, but some will be simply inspired by such famous items as the Hope Diamond.    Those looking for jewelry items with real diamond, might want to check out Tacori’s 18k925 jewelry collection or Roberto Coin’s Appassionata Collection though–because the Smithsonian collection will not be featuring actual diamonds.