Gold Panning Association

Smithsonian National Gem Collection

Some of the most spectacular diamonds and other jewels of the world can be admired in the National Gem Collection Museum Natural History, Smithsonian Collection in Washington, DC The collection consists of diamonds known to almost everyone, and diamonds and precious stones that are prominent in history.

While many are familiar with the Hope Diamond, which was surprised to find that a diamond is not clear, but instead of the stone bright blue, surrounded by white diamonds and suspended from a diamond necklace. The Hope Diamond is the story appeared in the mid-1600s when it was purchased by a merchant named Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who admired the purple color of the original stone. He later sold the stone from the France of Louis XIV, who gave Marie Antoinette.

The spectacular Blue Heart Diamond is a large heart-shaped diamond mounted on a platinum ring, surrounded by white diamonds. Fell in Paris between 1909 and 1910, but the origin of the Stone – Africa and India – is unclear. Famous jeweler Harry Winston diamonds mounted in its current configuration in 1959 and sold the ring Marjorie Merriweather Post. It is possible that the popular "Heart of the Ocean" diamond necklace in the shape of heart in the movie Titanic was based on Blue Diamond Heart which is actually mounted on a ring.

A wedding gift from Napoleon, the crown of Maria Luisa has presented his wife during their marriage in 1810. The tiara, originally part of a package that also a necklace, a comb, belt buckle and earrings, were all in emeralds and diamonds set in silver and gold. They were made by French Etienne Nitot jeweler and Son of Paris. After the fall of the empire, Marie-Louis fled to Vienna with her jewels. She left the crown to his aunt of the Habsburgs. Esmeraldas eventually sold as a part "of the historic Napoleon Tiara." The headband, restaurants with turquoise cabochons, was Marjorie Merriweather Post acquired by the Smithsonian Institute.

One of the most spectacular pieces of diamond jewelry in the Smithsonian Institution is the Napoleon necklace. Although initially owned by Catherine the Great of Russia, was presented by Emperor Napoleon of France to his second wife, Marie Louise of Austria on the birth of his son in 1811. After a succession of owners, was finally sold to Harry Winston in 1960. Marjorie Merriweather Post obtained the necklace from Winston and donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1962. Although it is difficult to value a piece like this in the current market is estimated at millions of dollars.

Although usually not associated with the Inquisition diamonds Spanish, a magnificent necklace of diamonds and emeralds of the same name is part of the Smithsonian. According to legend, a part of the necklace belonged to royalty Spanish and was later used by ladies of the French court. However, there is little information on the origin collar. In the 20th century, was purchased by the Maharajah of Indore, whose son sold the necklace to Harry Winston. Winston sold the necklace Mrs. Cora Hubbard Williams of Pittsburgh. It was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1972.

After to a premature end to the guillotine in 1793, Marie Antoinette loved jewelry and precious stones that had many. Two large, pear-shaped earrings, part of the Smithsonian Have been put in earrings that belonged to Marie Antoinette. The diamonds were later acquired by the Grand Duchess Tatiana of Russia Yousupoff. They never have sat on the 100 years they were in the family. Marjorie Merriweather Post acquired the earrings in 1928. They finally platinum replicas of the configuration restoration original silver in 1950. The diamonds are from India Brazil.

Women who discover Pandora Jewelry bracelets and complementing jewelry to create your own collections of these exquisite pieces in 14K gold and sterling silver. Danes parts are designed by hand with colored gemstones and cultured pearls. More 600 beads and matching jewelry to choose from, holders of the Pandora bracelet is an infinite number of combinations to create your own masterpiece.

About the Author

Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry the full line of
Pandora Jewelry
. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more information, Lewis Jewelers, 2000 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103, 877-88-LEWIS or visit the website.

Fair Trade Gold in Cotapata Bolivia

Global Gold: Panning for Profits in Foreign Markets …