Скачать или смотреть ICA Congress 2023 - The Smithsonian Gem Collection – In Color!

Keynote Speaker - Dr. Jeffrey Post, Ph.D.

Of all the objects in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, its magnificent gems, perhaps best and uniquely, provide an intersection of natural science, human history, culture, romance, and artistic skill and creativity—set against the allure of immense value and awesome beauty.

Jeffrey Post, curator of the U.S. National Gem and Mineral Collection and author of the recently published book: “The Smithsonian National Gem Collection – Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels,” reveals the scandals, mysteries, and human stories behind some of the world’s most famous gems. The Hope Diamond is familiar to most people because of its fascinating human history, which includes kings and thieves and perhaps a curse o. r two. Still, The National Gem Collection is also well-known for its many other world-class gems and jewelry pieces, such as Polly Logan’s 423-carat sapphire, the historic Maharaja of Indore Emerald Necklace and Empress Marie Louise Diadem, and the spectacular Carmen Lúcia Ruby. He also discusses rarely displayed gems from the Smithsonian vault and introduces exciting recent acquisitions.

Post shares how these rare and beautiful jewels have come to encapsulate stories about the individuals—from ordinary people to kings, emperors, maharajas, celebrities, and captains of industry—who once owned or were associated with them, for better or worse.