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.
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.