Natural History Museum in London which had A London diamonds show that included the Millennium Star and a gem-encrusted dress closed more than three months early after police advised of a planned robbery. The exhibition opened July 8, 2005 at the Natural History Museum in west Londons Kensington district and was to run until February 26, 2006. The police feared that the priceless jewels on display at the exhibition could be stolen.

The show closed yesterday to ensure the safety of visitors and workers after police warned of the planned raid, the museum and Steinmetz, said the main sponsor of the show in a statement. “Police altered their advice on the shows security two days ago, with a warning that indicated a heightened criminal risk to the exhibition,” clarified Michael Dixon, Museum Director. The display, which has attracted more than 70,000 visitors since it opened in July, was closed with immediate effect.

Included in the exhibition was the De Beers Millennium Star, a 203-carat pear-shaped diamond which was a target for thieves in a foiled robbery attempt on Londons Millennium Dome in 2000. Other gems included a 407-carat diamond, 59.6-carat Steinmetz Pink, the biggest flawless fancy vivid pink stone, and a dress encrusted with 3,000 diamonds. The garment worth 5 million pounds ($8.6 million) was worn by Irish singer Samantha Mumba at the London premiere of the film ``Spider-Man 2. “The hundreds of stones on display cant be valued,” said Becky Chetley, Museum Spokeswoman. “We havent put a value on the show because most of the pieces are literally priceless. We were obviously aware of the risk because diamonds have an incredible commercial value,” added Chetley.