George Switzer | Museum mineralogist, 92

George Switzer, 92, the mineralogist who started the Smithsonian Institution's vast collection of gems and minerals by acquiring the legendary, and some say bedeviled, Hope Diamond, died of pneumonia March 23 in Solomons, Md.

Dr. Switzer, who also played a significant role in analyzing rocks brought back from the moon, was chairman of the mineral sciences department at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History from 1964 to 1969. He had been associate curator of the museum's division of mineralogy from 1948 to 1964.

When Harry Winston, the renowned New York City jeweler, decided to donate the 45.52-carat, steely blue Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1958, the arrangements were made by Dr. Switzer.

"At mid-century, great gemologists around the country were talking about building a national collection to rival the crown jewel collections of Europe," Sorena Sorensen, the current chairwoman of the Smithsonian's mineral sciences department, said. "The idea for the national collection at the Smithsonian was a collaboration between Harry Winston and George."

- N.Y. Times News Service