Gem News International Gems & Gemology, Summer 2022, Vol. 58, No. 2

Brilliance Exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

James E. Shigley and Brooke Goedert

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A look at the vault room at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s <i>Brilliance</i> exhibit.
 
Figure 1. Inside the vault room of the Brilliance: The Art and Science of Rare Jewels exhibit. Photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

A special exhibit of rare gems and minerals, entitled Brilliance: The Art and Science of Rare Jewels, was recently displayed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The exhibit was available for viewing from December 8, 2021, through February 21, 2022, in the Gem Vault in the museum’s Gem and Mineral Hall (figure 1). Over one hundred spectacular objects—necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and unmounted gems (many the creations of master jewelry designer Robert Procop)—were on display along with mineral specimens from the museum’s collection. Colorless and fancy-color diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, as well as color-change and asteriated gems and other spectacular specimens, were represented (figures 2 and 3). By allowing the public to view and appreciate these unique treasures, this museum event provided an understanding of how gems and minerals are used today in a variety of fields, from jewelry design to scientific research. Crystals of gem minerals represent products of some optimum conditions for natural mineral formation, and the study of rough and faceted gems is increasingly used by scientists today to better understand Earth’s history.

The 46.39 ct Fancy blue Celeste and 100.92 ct colorless diamonds (left) and 108.03 ct blue sapphire from Sri Lanka (right) on display at the <i>Brilliance</i> exhibit.
 
 
Figure 2. Left: The 46.39 ct Fancy blue Celeste diamond and a 100.92 ct colorless diamond were but two of the exquisite gems on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Right: This 108.03 ct blue sapphire from Sri Lanka is exceptional in terms of its clarity, color, and size. Photos courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County; courtesy of Robert Procop.
The 79.39 ct Royal Pink sapphire was on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s <i>Brilliance</i> exhibit.
 
 
Figure 3. The 79.39 ct Royal Pink sapphire is, according to the designer, the largest vivid natural pink sapphire in the world. Courtesy of Robert Procop.

James E. Shigley is distinguish research fellow, and Brooke Goedert is editor of Gems & Gemology, at GIA in Carlsbad, California.