Angelina Jolie’s Christmas gift to the Smithsonian Museum

Angelina Jolie-Pitt has turned Santa by giving a sparkling Christmas gift to Smithsonian. The actress and humanitarian’s gift is an extraordinary citrine necklace and the newest addition to the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection.

“We are thrilled to receive this important piece for the Smithsonian. It is the first piece of citrine jewellery in the collection. The fact that it was personally designed by Angelina Jolie Pitt and Robert Procop makes it all the more significant,” said Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem Collection.

The beautiful 18k yellow gold necklace is part of the ‘Style of Jolie’ jewellery collection, a creative collaboration between Angelina and noted American jeweller Robert Procop. The necklace, featuring 64 graduated bezel-set cushion-cut citrine gems, has a spectacular, heart-melting 177.11-carat pear-shaped citrine drop.

The new jewel, christened the ‘Jolie Citrine Necklace,’ went on display in the Janet Annenberg Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals on December 11 and will remain on view indefinitely.

Robert and I are honoured to have this great institution feature one of our jewelled creations. As the Smithsonian has educated so many of us, this jewel is a symbol of our efforts to help educate underprivileged children in conflict areas of the world, said Angelina.

Aimed at promoting education and establishing schools in conflict-affected countries, the actress-activist developed ‘In The Style of Jolie’ jewellery collection together with Robert Procop. The proceeds from the sales of this line’s pieces are donated to the Education Partnership for Children in Conflict which helps the organisation build schools for children around the world. The first few schools, funded in conflict-ravaged Afghanistan, have instilled in children a hope for a better future.

I am honoured and also humbled to have our citrine necklace placed among the great jewels of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution. From one endeavour, Angelina’s creative vision draws two equally impressive outcomes: to transform the finest gems into works of art, and ultimately, improve the lives of many that are in need, said Procop.

The National Gem Collection is one of the most visited exhibitions at the Smithsonian. One of the largest of its kind in the world, the mineral and gem collection includes approximately 350.000 mineral specimens and 10.000 gems.