Our National Gem Collection in the Smithsonian

National gem collection
by Nan Wood

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC is home to so much that’s rare and wonderful on the planet. One of the more spectacular collections is the collection of gems in the Museum of Natural History. There you can see wonderful crystals and minerals in their natural form, as well as some of the most incredible pieces of jewelry every created. There are crowns worn by royalty, enormous diamond earrings worn by the doomed French queen Marie-Antoinette.

They’re all stunning and awe-inspiring, but nothing is more mysterious than the rare earth-green of the emerald. The Smithsonian is home to the most fabulous emeralds ever known, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have them in this country.

One such emerald is the Hooker Emerald which legend has it was once part of the belt buckle of a Turkish sultan. Another brilliant example of emerald jewelry, combined with diamonds is the Spanish Inquisition necklace. It’s a spectacular double row of diamond shapes, ending in a pendant of a chandelier shape with emeralds.

There is also a magnificent 37.8-carat emerald called the Chalk Emerald, that is set with diamonds and was found in the mines of Columbia. The Mackay Emerald Necklace is also set with diamonds and is a brilliant example of how a stone like an emerald, which often contains flaws or inclusions, is still a beautiful piece of gemstone jewelry.

The collection at the Smithsonian is not to be missed, not only for the incredible selection of emeralds it contains, but because it’s a chance to be as close to some of the world’s most fabulous gemstone necklace as most of us can ever be! We may never own anything like this, but we can dream, can’t we?

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GoldJewelry

Gifts for the Women

Gifts for Women

Most guys don’t consider themselves the greatest shoppers; in fact, when it comes to buying their wife, girlfriend or sister a gift they are sometimes clueless. If you are a guy and fall into this category, here are some easy tips to follow in order to pick out a great gift for any woman.

Buying a gift for a woman is actually very easy because there are so many gifts to choose from. For many guys that are looking to purchase a gift for a woman, put some thought into the process. The more you think about the right gift, the more creative your ideas will become.

For instance, if your girlfriend has a collection of teddy bears or porcelain figurines, add to the collection. If your girlfriend likes a particular fragrance, buy that particular fragrance or go to the store and pick out a fragrance that you would like her to wear. Putting thought into a gift is half the battle when it comes to buying a gift for a woman.

If you are still clueless, there are still the old standby gifts such as flowers and chocolate. While these gifts might sound cliché, they are sincere and adding a sweet little note or message to the gift will put a smile on any woman’s face. How about jewelry as an ageless favorite? Flowers are also always a perfect gift.

Nan is an Accountant and Business writer with an online research and information site for GoldJewelry and for those who want a great variety of gift ideas
Gifts

Napoleon Diamond Necklace

Napoleon Diamond Necklace
by Nan Wood


One of the most spectacular all-diamond pieces of jewelry in the Smithsonian Insitution is the Napoleon necklace. Thought to have originally been owned by Catherine the Great of Russia, it was presented by the Emperor Napoleon of France to his second wife, Marie-Louise of Austria on the birth of their son in 1811. The silver and gold set necklace contains172 diamonds weighing 275 carats - 28 oval and cushion-cut diamonds, dangling 19 briolette-cut oval and pear shaped diamonds and accented by small, round diamonds and diamond set motifs in a silver and gold setting. The diamonds are cut in "old mine" style, the precursor to the modern brilliant cut, and have a high degree of fire (flashes of color as the stone moves in light), but less brilliance due to less light refraction through the top of the stone.

The necklace has an estimated total gem weight of 275 carats, and the largest single diamond on it weighs approximately 10 carats. When Marie-Louise died in 1847, the necklace was given to her sister-in-law, Archduchess Sophie of Austria, who removed two stones to shorten the necklace. Earrings were made with the two removed stones, the whereabouts of which are unknown.

In 1872, the necklace was bequeathed to the Archduchess' son, Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria. In 1948, Archduke Ludwig's grandson, Prince Franz Joseph of Liechtenstein, sold the necklace to a French collector who then sold it to Harry Winston in 1960. Marjorie Merriweather Post obtained the necklace from Winston and donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1962.

It’s difficult to value a piece like this in today’s market. However, in 1993, the auction house Christie’s in Geneva sold another necklace that Napoleon had given to Marie-Louise that was composed of rubies and diamonds. This necklace sold for $13 million.

For online research visit Diamonds