

Purple Quartz Amethyst Crystal

Quartz amethyst, one of the most recognized quartz gem stones. Quartz is one of the most diverse natural substances known. This beautiful purple crystal formation is from the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Azurite

Azurite, a bright blue mineral which is a copper compound. From the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



A Large Green Beryl Crystal

Beryl is the mineral family which contains aquamarines, emeralds, heliodor, and morganite. These gems differ only in color caused by chemical impurities. This large green crystal formation is from the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



The 98.6 Carat Bismark Sapphire

A spectacular close-up of the Bismark Sapphire, one of the world's largest. This 98.6 carat gem is exceptionally large and well colored. Originally from Sri Lanka, it is part of the collection of the National Museum of Natural History. Also shown are many of the diamonds which encrust both the stone and its necklace. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



A Large Brazilianite Crystal

The mineral Brazilianite. This large yellow-brown crystal formation is from the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Black Cassitorite Crystals With White Quartz

Black cassitorite crystals with white quartz. From the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Cerussite Crystal

Cerussite crystal. Beautiful white mineral crystals from the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



A Remarkable Corundum (Sapphire) Crystal

Gem corundum is found in almost every conceivable color, all called sapphire unless it is red, which is ruby. Corundum is second only to diamond in hardness. This is a remarkable uncut crystal from the Gem and Mineral Collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Napoleon's Crown For His Empress Marie Louise

Napoleon I gave this crown to his consort Empress Marie Louise. Set in silver, the 950 diamonds weigh 700 carats. The 79 original emeralds have been replaced with Persian turquoise cabochons. From the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Smithsonian Colate Crystal mineral

A beautiful yellow-orange Colate diamond-shaped crystal growing on a sparkling white mineral background. From the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Smithsonian Canary Diamond

A spectacular, sparkling and rare yellow "Canary" Diamond, mounted in a ring is part of the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Gem-Quality Elbaite (Tourmaline)

The proper mineral name for most gem tourmaline is elbaite, after the Island of Elba where it was found long ago. Large crystals of gem tourmaline occur in a great range of colors. From the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Hooker Emerald Brooch

The 75 carat Hooker Emerald Brooch. The stone reputedly was once part of the belt buckle of a Turkish sultan. The brooch is part of the Gem and Mineral Collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Brilliant Green Fluorapatite Mineral Specimen

The mineral Fluorapatite, a member of the apatite group which contains more fluorine than chlorine. This brilliant green mineral specimen is from the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



A brilliant, firey colored Spessartine Garnet

Garnet is a group name for certain silicate materials that share a similar structure. Their color is so intense that, except in strong light, cut stones of any size appear almost black. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Gold dust, gold bar and gold coin

A spectacular grouping of gold dust, a gold bar and a gold coin from the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Gold From The Eureka Mine

A large gold formation. From the Eureka Mine, Tuolumne County, California. The height is approximately 7", and the weight 454.7 grams. Used in a popular Smithsonian poster. From the gem and mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



The Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond, a famous, deep-blue diamond of 44.5 carats is in the gem collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Spanish Inquisition Necklace

A sparkling emerald and diamond necklace of the Spanish Inquisition period, photographed against a plush green background. From the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Dragon Vase Carved From Rare Lavender Jade

This Dragon Vase is carved of rare lavender jadeite from Myanmar. A modern piece, it is 18 inches tall. From the gem and mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Jade Altar Bowl

A striking Jade Altar Bowl from the gem and mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



The Smithsonian Mace

This is a double-exposure showing details from the Smithsonian Mace. Designed by Britain's leading goldsmith, it is made of gold, silver and precious stones. In academic, ceremonial processions it is carried to represent the authority of the Institution. Smithsonian Photo by Jeffrey Ploskonka.



Marie Antoinette Earrings

Few objects in the Smithsonian collections conjure up more dramatic images than do these diamond earrings. They were given to Marie Antoinette by Louis XVI and are said to have been taken from her when she was arrested fleeing the French Revolution. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



The Anna Case McKay Necklace

The Smithsonian's gem and mineral collection includes a number of exceptional emeralds. Particularly notable is the 168-carat Columbian pendant of the Anna Case McKay necklace. It may be the largest fine-gem emerald that is set in a piece of jewelry. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Napoleon I Diamond Necklace

In 1811, Napoleon I gave this 275-carat diamond necklace to Empress Marie Louise to celebrate the birth of their son, the future king of Rome. From the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Carved Nephrite (Jade) Chinese Lanterns

Jade is the traditional name for two distinctly different types of materials - jadite and nephrite. This is nephrite. The pair of altar lanterns shown were carved from nephrite for the Chinese Emperor Ch'ien Lung in about 1750. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Black Opal With Brilliant Vivid Colors

Opals with bright color patches on dark-gray or black are called black opals. Among opals, most experts rate black opal as best, because the dark background provides a pleasing contrast to its vivid colors. This stone is from the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



The Star of Bombay

The Star of Bombay is a remarkable 182-carat star sapphire bequeathed by Mary Pickford. It is part of the gem and mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Pomo Indian Gift Baskets

Pomo Indian gift baskets decorated with shells and feathers. The largest one shown is 10-3/8". From California, 1890. Because of the beautiful materials from which they are made, these baskets were featured in the "Splendors of Nature" exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



The 127.01 carat Portuguese Diamond

A stunning close-up of one of the world's largest diamonds. The Portuguese Diamond is 127.01 carats, the largest cut diamond to come from Brazil, and the 13th largest diamond in the world. This stone is part of the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



A 7,000-Carat Quartz Egg

From Brazil, this highly faceted rock crystal (quartz) egg is 7,000 carats! Quartz, in its many forms, colors, varieties and possible uses, is the most diverse natural substance known. Colorless or transparent quartz is called rock crystal. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Moganite Quartz Sample

Quartz constitutes 12 percent of the Earth's crust and is used in countless products from computers and watches to satellites and medical equipment. Scientists at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History recently discovered a new mineral -Moganite- in the museum's collection of quartz specimens. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Polished Quartz Sample

Quartz crystal can be used by scientists as a tool for finding other mineral deposits such as petroleum. Quartz crystals also have ornamental value as gemstones. Quartz constitutes 12 percent of the Earth's crust and is used in countless products from computers and watches to satellites and medical equipment. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Quartz Sample

The ancient Sumerians valued large quartz chrystals for making jewelry. Scientists at the Smithsonian recently discovered a mineral -Moganite- in fine-quartz specimens, which may, in turn, lead prospectors to reserves of petroleum and other resources. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Rhodochrosite crystal

A close-up of a brilliant red on white Rhodochrosite crystal from the mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



A Large Purple Rubellite Crystal

The mineral Rubellite. This large purple crystal formation is from the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Assortment of Sapphires

An assortment of sapphires showing a wide variety of sizes and colors. From the gem and mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



The Mineral Smithsonite

The mineral Smithsonite, a zinc carbonate material first recognized by James Smithson, a wealthy Englishman who bequeathed funds to the United States for the creation of the Smithsonian Institution. This specimen is from the Kelly mine in New Mexico. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



A Spectacular Metallic Stibnite Crystal Cluster

Stibnite, an ore of antimony, has a bright metallic luster. This spectacular group of crystals is from Iyo, Japan, and is part of the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



A Sherry-Colored Topaz Crystal Spray

This beautiful spray of sherry-colored topaz crystals is from the Thomas Range in Utah. Sherry-colored crystals are found in Mexico and Utah, but shortly after exposure to daylight they become colorless. From the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Tumbled Emerald Necklace On Wooden Buddha Figure

A tumbled Emerald Necklace playfully draped over a carved wooden Buddha. From the gem and mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Zuni Indian Turquoise Jewelry

Fine examples of American turquoise set in silver by Zuni Indians. From the gem and mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.



Victoria-Transvaal Diamond

The dazzling pendant of this diamond and gold necklace is the 68-carat, champagne-colored Victoria-Transvaal diamond, which was discovered in South Africa in 1951. From the gem and mineral collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.