Wednesday, December 8, 1999
10:30-11:30 AM
Green Auditorium
Jeffrey E. Post
Curator-in-Charge, Mineral Collection
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560-0119
The gift by Harry Winston of the Hope Diamond in 1958 triggered
a chain of other major acquisitions that have established the
National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian Institution as one
of the premier such collections in the world. This slide illustrated
lecture will explore the intriguing human histories as well as
the fascinating science associated with such renowned gem and
jewelry pieces as the Hope Diamond, Star of Asia Sapphire, Napoleon
Diamond Necklace, Hooker Emerald, etc. A few of the questions
that will be explored include: Why is the Hope Diamond blue (and
why is it sometimes orange, and is it cursed)? Why are rubies
red and emeralds green? What causes opals' fiery flashes of color,
or the star in star sapphires? A brief overview of the Janet Annenberg
Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals, opened in September,
1997, will also be presented.