The Smithsonian contains a vast collection of rough and faceted gemstones, with some outstanding pieces that are truly world-class. This post shows some of the iconic gems and gemstones in the collection.
Click the pictures below for a larger version pop-up.
The Famous Blue Hope
Diamond
The Gachala
Emerald from Colombia, at 828 ct.
This is one of the largest Emeralds in the World
Giant Gem
Topaz Crystal of 111 Lbs
Cut
Rhodochrosite Gemstones from Hotazel, South Africa
Large
Emerald Crystals from the Hiddenite Mine, Stony Point, North Carolina
Etched
Heliodor Crystal from Volodark, Zhitomir, Ukraine
Gem
Topaz from Brazil, Rough and Faceted
Labradorite Showing Amazing Color Sheen from Nain, Nefoundland, Canada
Incredible
Iris Agate from Oregon
Cat's Eye
Elbaite Tourmaline from Minas Gerais, Brazil
Elbaite Tourmaline "Candelabra" with
Albite and
Quartz
From the Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego Co., California
Large Blue
Topaz Crystal from Mursinka, Ekaterinburg, Urals, Russia
