Aurora Butterfly of peace diamonds

[Octo2005]

Attention mods: I wasn't sure if this should post under RockyTalk or Show Me the Bling, please move if appropriate.

On a recent visit to The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, I came upon this interesting exhibit that I thought PS'ers would enjoy. Sorry my photos don't do it justice!

Made up of 240 natural colored diamonds totaling 167 carats

 

[Matilda]

stunning!!

 

[tyty333]

It really takes life with the black light! Very cool!

 

[OoohShiny]

Very cool although I am struggling to understand how both diamonds and butterflies are linked to peace... lol

 

[Demon]

Look at all that fluorescence!

 

[OcnGypZ]

It is drop dead gorgeous in person! I saw it at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts several years ago.

 

[jamesallenrings]

This is so cool and beautiful.

 

[yssie]

Resurrecting this thread. I finally made it to the Natural History museum in NYC to see the new gem hall (it debuted in 2021, I took the snail trail up!) - I didn’t realize this exhibit was on display there now!! I read about it back when it was at GIA. Didn’t expect to actually see it, it is spectacular.

As I was mooning - a mum brought her kid over to “look at the butterfly!”, and gave the child all of ten seconds before saying “it’s just a bunch of tiny diamonds, come on, let’s go see the big stones” and my first thought was what @kenny would have thought

 

[kenny]

... my first thought was what @kenny would have thought

I think, "I'd halo it."

I've never seen the Aurora collection, but I'd love to.
I DO however have Stephen Hofer's fascinating, long-out-of-print, 742 page, several-pound hardcover tome about this specialized topic.

Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds: An Illust…

Hidden within the geological formations of our planet a…

www.goodreads.com

Glad I bought it, the book not the butterfly, long ago, I doubt I paid over 2 or 3 hundred for it.
Since then, I've seen it on Amazon for up to 2 grand.
That's not for a diamond, just a used book - currently $795 on Amazon.

This listing incorrectly states it weighs one pound.
Uhm, no; it maxes out my kitchen scale's 5 pound limit: IIRC it's 8 or 9 lbs.

Amazon.com

 

[yssie]

I think, "I'd halo it."

I've never seen the Aurora collection, but I'd love to.
I DO however have Stephen Hofer's fascinating, long-out-of-print, 742 page, several-pound hardcover tome about this specialized topic.

Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds: An Illust…

Hidden within the geological formations of our planet a…

www.goodreads.com

Glad I bought it, the book not the butterfly, long ago, I doubt I paid over 2 or 3 hundred for it.
Since then, I've seen it on Amazon for up to 2 grand.
That's not for a diamond, just a used book - currently $795 on Amazon.

This listing incorrectly states it weighs one pound.
Uhm, no; it maxes out my kitchen scale's 5 pound limit: IIRC it's 8 or 9 lbs.

Amazon.com

I know you do! I think you’re the only person I know who has it. I’ve been keeing eyes out for it for years - lowest I’ve ever seen it was around $500, couple years ago overseas, and that seems like a steal now!!

I hope you’re able to see this exhibit one day - I’m sure it’ll be back out your way soon, it seems to travel a fair bit. I can’t think of anyone who would know more about it or appreciate it more

 

[RMOO]

Wow, that is beautiful! I'm curious, what are they "set" in? I don't see prongs. From the pictures it looks to me like a sheet of boiled wool, or even foam, that they made little cups in to keep the diamonds from moving around?

 

[glitterata]

Wow, that is beautiful! I'm curious, what are they "set" in? I don't see prongs. From the pictures it looks to me like a sheet of boiled wool, or even foam, that they made little cups in to keep the diamonds from moving around?

I think it's foam. I often visit that hall and and will take a closer look next time I'm there.

 

[yssie]

Just foam, yes! You can actually see how some of the stones have shifted and turned slightly from Octo2005's photo!