Hope Diamond gets a Hollywood voice

By Jacqueline Trescott

A new documentary on the Hope Diamond will have the sweet Georgia narration of actress Kim Basinger.

Kim Basinger. (Matt Sayles / AP)

"Mystery of the Hope Diamond," will air on Thursday, Nov. 21 on the Smithsonian Channel, a joint venture between Showtime Networks, Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, as part of the ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the gift of the famed jewel to the Smithsonian Institution. Since Harry Winston gave the 45-carat diamond in 1958, this is the longest commemoration ever, even in Smithsonian years.

In those five decades the most asked question of Smithsonian guides is "where is the Hope Diamond?" The blue diamond resides in the National Museum of Natural History. In November the diamond is getting a new temporary setting, chosen by the public through an online contest.

In the documentary, more glamour is added when the lanky model, Hilary Rhoda of Chevy Chase, Md., wears the precious stone in the new setting.

The public will get an upclose look at the re-set Hope, beginning at Thursday, Nov. 18 at noon ET.