Coloured diamonds butterfly on display at American Museum of Natural History

[Indira-London]

I noticed this news item in New York Times Blogs - New York,NY,USA and thought it might interest others here too.

240 colored diamonds for the “Butterfly of Peace,” weigh a total of 167 carats and took over 12 years to collect.

This collection is now on display for a few days (till Thursday) at the American Museum of Natural History through Thursday.(Photo: R. Mickens/American Museum of Natural History).

 

[lasscreative]

Oh wow!! Its beautiful!!!! What I would do just to own one of them!!!

 

[MMT]

Wow I would love to see it in person

 

[Indira-London]

Date: 9/8/2008 9:06:37 AM
Author: MMT
Wow I would love to see it in person

It would be great if we could have feedback from anyone who gets a chance to see this in person!

 

[Lorelei]

That is GORGEOUS, thanks so much Indira for posting that!

 

[girlie-girl]

I bet it''s amazing in person. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 9/8/2008 9:26:38 AM
Author: Indira-London

It would be great if we could have feedback from anyone who gets a chance to see this in person!

I''d be happy to report back.

 

[radiantquest]

that is pretty awesome. thanks

 

[glitterata]

The museum''s gem collection is well worth visiting. Even without that butterfly, they have some amazing displays of colored diamonds--not to mention other stones.

 

[Art Nouveau]

On a recent visit to GIA at Carlsbad, CA, I saw a color diamond butterfly on display. I am not sure if it is the same one that is on display at the American Museum of Natural History. It is spectacular. The display case has both regular lighting and UV light. It is pretty amazing especially under UV light when some of the diamonds show fluorescence. I took some quick snapshots which didn''t turn out that well, but you can get an idea what the butterfly looks like when the diamonds are glowing. Here is one under regular lighting.

AN

 

[Art Nouveau]

Under UV Light:

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

GIA Alumin magazine came a week or 2 ago and has a fold out cover with a photo and UV photo - very high quality
http://www.gia.edu/loupeonline/653/loupe_online_home_page.cfm
no good link I can find I am afraid.

I was at the Smithsonian NHM in 2005 and Capitol Bill introduced Drena and I to the Curator who took us out the back. I was able to fondle this magnificent collection.
I took several really close ups, but this is from a whole foot away - with my own little Canon snappy camera

 

[Indira-London]

Thank you to Art Nouveau and Garry Holloway for the additional info and pictures!
Thank you to Harriet for her offer to update us once she has seen the collection!

 

[Art Nouveau]

I think the Peace Butterfly is the same one that was on display at GIA. It is definitely worth taking a look.

AN

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 9/9/2008 2:12:35 AM
Author: Art Nouveau
Under UV Light:

I love this picture of the diamonds under the UV Light, sooo cool!

That is so awesome you saw those beauties Garry and AN

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Wow!!!

 

[Ninama]

Holy geeeez... look at all those fancy rocks!

 

[Harriet]

Scarlet and I saw the Butterfly yesterday. There were a number of impressively saturated stones. Unfortunately, the lighting wasn''t too good. Also, UV light wasn''t available.

P.S. Now I want a fancy vivid pink!

 

[diamondringlover]

Wow, that is beautiful

 

[joflier]

That is just so beautiful! Wow, wish I could see that in person.