Smithsonian Institution and QVC enter into licensing agreement

A new jewellery line is being created based on the items showcased in the National Gem and Mineral Collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of National History. This jewellery line will be sold on the television shopping network QVC, as per a licensing agreement signed between the Smithsonian Institution and QVC.

The new collection is slated to be launched in the third quarter of 2010.

The National Gem and Mineral Collection boasts over 375,000 individual items, including the Hope Diamond and the Marie Antoinette Earrings, amongst others. The Institution believes the QVC would be a good platform to make people aware of its collections, and have the pride of owning jewellery inspired from these items.

The new jewellery line will include earrings, rings, bracelets, pins and brooches, and replicas of pieces from the museum's collection.