Pictures from the Smithsonian

[D&T]

Gorgeous Pieces!

 

[Stone Hunter]

Great photos!! I love that section of the Smithsonian.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Wonderful pictures! Thank you for posting them.

 

[ma re]

Good thing I''m far enough from Smithsonian so I can''t visit, as I''d suffer several major heart attacks! Chalk emerald would surely cause one, and Bismarck sapphire isn''t far behind... Just amazing

 

[isaku5]

Fantastic pictures of beautiful gems! Thanks so much for posting them.

 

[LD]

Jewelerman - what book please? It sounds just like the sort of "read" I like!

What fabulous photos. Some of those pieces are truly breathtaking. The chalk Emerald is fascinating. It looks almost blue - what did it look like in real life (if you can recall)? Thanks so much for sharing. I feel like booking a flight and holiday now! Destination the Smithsonian!

 

[Catmom]

Fabulous!!!! Thanks so much for sharing those photos!!!!!

 

[that_someone_special]

I was just telling my friends how I am coming back as royalty in my next life to own things such as these...

muhahaha... these will be mine!

 

[junebug17]

Fascinating!!!! Thank you so much for taking and sharing these wonderful pictures, such amazing pieces!

 

[LuvThatBling]

No matter how many times I see that exhibit, it never ceases to amaze me. My husband frequently reminds me that I'm leaving nose prints on the glass. LOL. Any of you who get a chance to go to DC should visit!

Date: 12/15/2009 3:23:28 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Jewelerman - what book please? It sounds just like the sort of 'read' I like!

I don't know if this is the book Jewelerman is thinking of, but the title I have is called The National Gem Collection. My DH bought it for me on our last visit to the Smithsonian, but you can also purchase it from the Smithsonian Store online.

 

[whatmeworry]

Date: 12/15/2009 3:23:28 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Jewelerman - what book please? It sounds just like the sort of ''read'' I like!

What fabulous photos. Some of those pieces are truly breathtaking. The chalk Emerald is fascinating. It looks almost blue - what did it look like in real life (if you can recall)? Thanks so much for sharing. I feel like booking a flight and holiday now! Destination the Smithsonian!

LovingDiamonds, the blue is an artifact of the camera. Probably from the brighter reflections of the emerald. The color in that lighting (fiber optic) is more of the dark green that you see in the center. I really kept going back to looking at the Chalk. Between the incredible green color and the Harry Winston setting, wow!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 12/13/2009 8:30:41 PM
Author: whatmeworry
On the left, Oppenheimer Diamond, 253.7 ct yellow diamond crystal. Dutoitspan mine, Kimberly, South Africa.
On the right, Portugese Diamond (exhibiting fluorescence), 127.01 carats, origin unknown.

Thanks for your photos. The Portuguese is an especial favourite of mine. Drool.

 

[chrono]

Thank you, thank you for all those pictures.

Such wonderful eye candy.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Spectacular - thanks so much for the pics!!

 

[LD]

Date: 12/19/2009 12:36:06 PM
Author: LuvThatBling
No matter how many times I see that exhibit, it never ceases to amaze me. My husband frequently reminds me that I''m leaving nose prints on the glass. LOL. Any of you who get a chance to go to DC should visit!

Date: 12/15/2009 3:23:28 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Jewelerman - what book please? It sounds just like the sort of ''read'' I like!

I don''t know if this is the book Jewelerman is thinking of, but the title I have is called The National Gem Collection. My DH bought it for me on our last visit to the Smithsonian, but you can also purchase it from the Smithsonian Store online.

Thank you so much. I found it on Amazon and it should be here tomorrow!

 

[LD]

Date: 12/20/2009 1:52:24 PM
Author: whatmeworry

Date: 12/15/2009 3:23:28 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Jewelerman - what book please? It sounds just like the sort of ''read'' I like!

What fabulous photos. Some of those pieces are truly breathtaking. The chalk Emerald is fascinating. It looks almost blue - what did it look like in real life (if you can recall)? Thanks so much for sharing. I feel like booking a flight and holiday now! Destination the Smithsonian!

LovingDiamonds, the blue is an artifact of the camera. Probably from the brighter reflections of the emerald. The color in that lighting (fiber optic) is more of the dark green that you see in the center. I really kept going back to looking at the Chalk. Between the incredible green color and the Harry Winston setting, wow!

OMG it''s just breathtaking isn''t it? I must really book a flight over the pond soon! I can understand why you were drawn back to it - mind you it''s not exactly an every day, understated item is it?

 

[Harriet]

Loving Diamonds,
Do you like phosphophyllites? If I remember correctly, the Smithsonian has a big facetted gem of a phosphophyllite.

 

[SB621]

i''m totally in love!

 

[Harriet]

It is not as big as the Smithsonian''s Gem and Mineral Hall, nor does it receive the same level of funding. But, the American Museum of Natural History''s Hall (my happy place) has its own treasures too. See, e.g. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/expeditions/treasure_fossil/Treasures/Patricia_Emerald/patricia.html?50

 

[marcy]

Gorgeous photos. Thanks for the post.

 

[risingsun]

Great photos of a national treasure. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Itgirl76]

I''ll take one of each please

Thanks for sharing! beautiful!

 

[sparklyheart]

Thanks for posting those! What gorgeous jewelry!!