Gemstone Collections
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Hall of Gems, Washington D.C. Collection includes the Hope Diamond (a 45.52 carat blue diamond), the Rosser Reeves ruby (138.70 carats) from Sri Lanka, the Star of Asia (a 330 carat blue sapphire from Burma), the Hooker Emerald, the Logan Sapphire, the Maharani chrysoberyl cat's-eye (58.20 carats), a gem-quality aquamarine of 911 carats from Brazil, an 880 carat gem-quality kunzite, a 22,892 carat golden topaz, a 250-carat morganite beryl, and more.
American Museum of Natural History, New York. Collection includes the 632-carat Patricia Emerald, the 563-carat Star of India (which is said to be the world's largest star sapphire and is actually from Sri Lanka), and the J.P. Morgan collection of star rubies and sapphires.
Natural History Museum, Los Angeles. Collection of mineral specimens and faceted gemstones, including the one of the finest ruby crystals in the world - 196-carat Burma Hixon Ruby.
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Fine mineral collection including the Hamlin Necklace, set with spectacular Maine tourmalines.
Tower of London, London. The British Crown Jewels are displayed in the Tower of London, including many jewels which are still used in state ceremonies: St. Edward's Crown, the crown of England which is used only for coronation; the Imperial State Crown, which contains the Black Prince's Ruby, the Stuart Sapphire, and St Edward's Sapphire; the Sovereign's ring which is set with a large sapphire; Queen Victoria's Ring, set with a large sapphire, five rubies, and 20 diamonds; the King's Sceptre with Cross, which is set with The Great Star of Africa diamond and a large amethyst globe; and the Orb of 1661, which is a hollow gold sphere set with 365 diamonds, 9 emeralds, 9 sapphires, 18 rubies, 363 cultured pearls and 1 amethyst. The Imperial State Crown, Sceptre and Orb are used for the opening of Parliament each year.
Musee du Louvre, Paris. Collection includes the French Crown Jewels, lots of huge diamonds, the Cote de Bretagne Spinel in the Order of the Golden Fleece, and a collection of medieval jewelry.
Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul. The Topkapi Palace Treasury has some of the most magnificent Colombian emerald accessories ever conceived, including a fantastic dagger with three huge emeralds on the hilt. The collection also includes a 250 kilogram golden throne studded with tourmaline, a carved emerald snuffbox, and vases carved from fine green jadeite.
Gemstone Books
Gems:
Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification
by Robert Webster, Revised by B.W. Anderson and Peter Read, Fifth Edition, 1994. The definitive gemological reference, with more than 1,000 pages of gemological information, including identification tables.
A Consumer's Guide to Colored Gemstones:
by David Federman with photographs by Tino Hammid, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990. Sixty gem profiles on individual gemstones accompanied by stunning gemstone photographs. Gives the reader a glimpse inside the world of gemstone dealers. Shows how the gem trade does business and why: the love and enthusiasm that dealers have for their products. One of the few books that looks at the gemstone business rather than the applied discipline of gemology.
The Curious Lore of Precious Stones:
by George Frederick Kunz, Bell Publishing, 1989 (and others). This is the classic reference to the legends and lore of gemstones from the early twentieth century.
Gemstones of the World:
by Walter Schumann, 1997. Very informative hardcover volume that is an excellent introduction to all aspects of the gemstones worldwide.
The Larousse Encyclopedia of Precious Gems:
by Pierre Bariand, Jean-Paul Poirot, Emmanuel Fritsch, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1992. A extensive reference that goes through the world of gemstones, including history and lore as well as gemological information, gem by gem. |
