new gem exhibit sparkles in san diego 5.7.2010

NEW GEM EXHIBIT SPARKLES IN
SAN DIEGO
Publish Date : 05/07/2010
The Aurora Diamond Butterfly of Peace by Alan Bronstein symbolizes the
essence of positive human transformation
San Diego—The San Diego Natural History Museum’s exhibit All That Glitters:
The Splendor and Science of Gems and Minerals, might just become every
girl’s best friend. Running May 15 to April 2012, the exhibit takes visitors beyond
the “bling” to see gems and minerals as rare and ancient natural by-products.
One of the signature pieces is the Aurora Diamond Butterfly of Peace, created
as a symbol of the soul and of positive transformation by diamond dealer and
artist Alan Bronstein. Natural, fancy-colored diamonds are so rare that it took 12
years to amass the Butterfly’s 240 diamonds. The piece’s epic journey
symbolizes the metamorphosis of a chrysalis to a butterfly and its colorful
splendor. Under long-wave ultraviolet light, many of these colored diamonds
exhibit the phenomenon known as fluorescence.
“Gems like these were not meant to be imprisoned in a dark vault for the
momentary pleasure of a few eyes,” says Bronstein. “The true value of a
collection is in sharing it with as many people who are interested in
experiencing nature's diversity of expression.”
Gems From California Featured
The exhibition will also include gems and jewelry from the Museum’s own
collection, plus pieces by Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels on loan
from private collectors, and such notable institutions as the American Museum
of Natural History, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Harvard University
Mineralogical Museum, Newark Museum, and the Smithsonian.
The core of All That Glitters features gems and minerals of California, including
tourmaline, spessartite (orange garnet), kunzite, topaz, Morganite, aquamarine,
quartz, opal, scheelite, colemanite, covellite, sphene, herderite, and jade. “San
Diego County is known among collectors throughout the world for its gems and
minerals, and yet, few of our residents are aware of our rich mineral legacy,”
says Michael W. Hager, Ph.D., museum president and ceo. “All That Glitters is
intended to inspire, educate, and dazzle residents and visitors with our local
treasure.”
The exhibit is curated by Graduate Gemologist Elise B. Misiorowski, an
internationally respected jewelry historian, previously served as the Museum
Director at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) world headquarters
In addition to viewing gorgeous faceted gems and finished jewelry, visitors can
also explore a dramatic cave-like space featuring a 4′ x 4′ Gem Pocket
embedded with gems native to San Diego County.
For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.sdnhm.org.