let''s hear it for the colored stones!

[rainbowtrout]

I was down in DC for a conferance last weekend, and *of course* I found the time to pop by the gem section of the Smithsonian...beautiful stuff, of course. Hundreds of huge, sparkly white diamonds....and TWO, just two, beautiful demantoid garnets. Let''s hear it for the truly special!

I have to say, my favorite things were the really interesting colored stones. They had a remarkably large piece of uncut emerald gemmy crystal--amazing to see how it looked. They also had the Oppinheimer diamond, uncut diamond big enough to see how a gem quality diamond crystal looks when it is full grown. Wow.

Sadly, I was unimpressed with the red diamond. Kind of boring. Even the display card apologized for it, saying it was the best one on public display.

Any of you have favorite "museum pieces"?

 

[bar01]

I was there two weeks ago. The Logan Sapphire was amazing - more amazing than the hope diamond to me. I understand Tiffany’s just gave them a grant of 500K to acquire new stones. This is great as I understand that the other stones were donated to them - where as this cash gift will allow them to search for and purchase gems on their own for the collection - I want that job assignment!

 

[rainbowtrout]

Wow....I did notice the majority were donated. Was the Logan sapphire the slightly smaller but darker cushion stone next to the really huge, lighter colored cushion shaped one?

 

[SoonIHope]

Here''s a link to the Logan Sapphire. YOWZA.

 

[rainbowtrout]

Yeah, my favorite was the one right next to it...or maybe the Star of India.

 

[widget]

Date: 7/5/2006 10:11:45 AM
Author: Bertrand
. I understand Tiffany’s just gave them a grant of 500K to acquire new stones. This is great as I understand that the other stones were donated to them - where as this cash gift will allow them to search for and purchase gems on their own for the collection

I read that too, Bertrand. I was amazed to learn that heretofore they''ve had to depend entirely on donated gemstones! About time that an endowment has been established so that they can do their own collecting/choosing!!

widget

 

[open culet]

Years ago when I was at the Smithsonian, there was a huge, beautiful Cat''s Eye Chrysoberyl. I love them. They are either fantastic or not so good, not much in between, IMO.

 

[lizzyd]

Hi Rainbowtrout,

I do have a favorite.

Mine is Rhodochrosite. The display of it at the Smithsonian is in the Gems room, right along side the Hope Diamond and all the other beauties.

The reason it''s my favorite is because my grandfather discovered it in the Andes, in Argentina/Peru. I think it was around the 1920''s or so. He brought a bunch down out of the mountains by mule back.

The kind that is in the Smithsonian display looks like pink marble, veined with gray and white, but you can also find some gem quality stuff, even faceted, that''s a gorgeous red, red, red, mostly from the Sweet Home mine in Colorado. There''s also some in South Africa I believe.

If anybody goes to the Smith in the next while, look for the Rhodochrosite display. My grandfather was Ellis Clark Soper (his name is on the label). And let me know if you saw it

Best,
LizzyD

 

[Gypsy]

Josephine''s jewels are my favorite at the Smithsonian... I just stand there and stare. Mmmm.

 

[rainbowtrout]

I saw those..biiiig suckers. Woo!

 

[Logan Sapphire]

My avatar is the Logan Sapphire. It''s really something else.