The Chicago Field Museum has been running a fabulous diamond exhibit for the last 6 months and it is set to end at the end of March, 2010.  The exhibit is called "The Nature of Diamonds."

 

The exhibit features nearly 800 exquisite objects, including some of the world's most stunning gemstones.  It also tells the story of our fascination with the beauty and power of the King of Gemstones - the Diamond.  The exhibit explores all aspects of this extraordinary mineral, from its geological origins, to its place in history, art, and adornment, and finally to its uses in modern technology and research.

 

The center of the exhibit is called The Vault.  In this area of the presentation, some of the world's top designers are shown such as the Tiffary diamond bird pin shown here.  It also showcases items previously owned by Mae West, Catherine the Great of Russia, Joan Crawford, Elton John, and many more well known celebrities and monarchs.

 

Photo credit Tiffany and Co Archives

 

The Chicago Field Museum has a wonderful walk through for those who must setting for a virtual tour of the exhibit. The walk through has a wealth of information about both diamonds in general and the exhibit items in particular.

 

Here are a few items to whet your appetite:

 

 

Photo credit: C. Philip Hersey Photographer, Ltd



Photo credit Roderick Mickens © American Museum of Natural History



Photo credit Katharina Faerber