Bowers Museum, gem exhibit

[choro72]

There has been a small topic on this before, but I thought I would bring it up again. For all SoCal ps''ers...No excuse for you!! You must see this exhibit! Until June 16, Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is displaying Michael Scott''s collection of gems for the second time. Michael Scott is the former CEO for Apple, and he has since become a gem fanatic.

The displays were mainly separated in different types of gemstones. Aquamarine, Amethyst, Sapphires, Beryl, Quartz, Diamonds, just to name a few. I could tell he rally appreciates the gemstones themselves, not jewelry. Of course he had faceted gemstones, but he collects raw stones more, and he even commissioned silversmiths to design settings for them.
He also collected sculptures cut from a large piece of rough stones. Flower, Ferrets, Mouse (my favorite), Man (most impressive), owl...

There was a lady who obviously was in the market of buying a jewelry, and she was asking the most ridiculous questions ever. To a museum tour guide! As if the poor man is supposed to know more than the exhibits. I couldn''t refrain myself from educating her a little. I must say, I am becoming part of this community more and more!

 

[EricaR]

I live 20 minutes from there and I didn''t even know they had a gem exhibit! I think I know what I''m doing this weekend...

 

[choro72]

You won''t regret it! I''m no writer by any means, so please write your thoughts here. My words don''t do the gems justice.

I''m going to threadjack my own topic, but where do you live? You might live very close to my bf. The reason I ask it because I was wondering which horse trail you got engaged at...Is it the Mountain to Beach trail that goes to Peter''s Canyon? Sorry if it''s too personal...Just thought that it''s cool if you got engaged on the trail I jog on!

 

[EricaR]

It was the trails through Irvine Park, so right up the street from Peter''s Canyon! I''m on the opposite end of Irvine wayyyyy up against the hills. Up until a few months ago we lived right at the Marketplace, so very very close!

I know Peter''s Canyon well. I actually just finished training to be a docent with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy so I can start leading hikes through the local open spaces. Peter''s Canyon is great because it is totally open to the public without needing to be with a group and it has some great examples of local plants.

 

[choro72]

I know where you got engaged! Well, not the exact spot, but I know the park. (I won''t stalk...I swear) BF lives between the Market place and where you guys are. Wow. Really close!

Hmm, I''ve never paid attention to the plants at Peter''s Canyon...I''ll check it out while you look at gems!

 

[CaptAubrey]

I would go soon. The Bowers Museum has, shall we say, some issues at the moment.

http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/bowers-displays-art-1970245-owned-by

 

[Miranda]

Date: 3/11/2008 3:28:38 PM
Author: CaptAubrey
I would go soon. The Bowers Museum has, shall we say, some issues at the moment.

http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/bowers-displays-art-1970245-owned-by

"Some issues" is a kind way of putting it. I couldn''t believe it when I saw that in the paper. I said the same thing to DH, "Let''s hurry up and go see it!" I''ve heard it''s really a great exhibit.

 

[EricaR]

I had read about that, too! What a strange story...

Choro, if you want to explore the open areas more you should check out the Irvine Ranch Conservancy website: Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Click on "Lets Go Outside" and then "Activities". They offer tons of FREE hikes and mountain bike rides every week. They are a lot of fun and you get to see areas that are closed to the general public. Plus, you might even run into me!

We are running quite a few wildflower hikes in the coming weeks - you should check them out. I really recommend the Wildflower Hike to the Coal Mine that is happening Sunday morning. If you are in somewhat decent shape it is a great hike. The views are wonderful and the flowers should be stunning.