A Topaz the Size of a Football Lands in a Dallas Museum

by Glasstire August 31, 2016
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The Smithsonian’s ‘American Golden’ topaz

Some 30-plus large and spectacular gemstones from the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection are headed to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas. Some of these rocks have never been on display before at all (and/or this is the first time many of these specimens have ever been seen outside of D.C.). The show, called Giant Gems of the Smithsonian, opens September 9 and runs through January.

Via the Perot: “Many weighing over 1,000-plus carats, the gems include an ‘American Golden’ topaz that tips the scales at almost 23,000 carats (more than 10 pounds), a blue topaz “football” of nearly 7,000 carats, kunzite Tiffany necklace, a Mogul emerald diamond necklace and more.”

This show is in the museum’s wheelhouse at any rate, as the Perot has a full-time wing dedicated to minerals and gems, called the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, which is where this exhibition will be. This show has come together under the collaboration of Russell Feather, who is the Smithsonian’s collection manager of the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection, Perot Museum curator of minerals Mark Pospisil, and the Perot Museum’s senior director of exhibits Mike Spiewak and its manager of temporary exhibitions Eveline Kuchmak.

For more info, please go here. 

 

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