All That Glitters - Right Now at San Diego Natural History Museum

California' treasure gem pockets were discovered centuries ago. We still remember the legend of California's gold rush.

All That Glitters: The Splendor and Science of Gems and Minerals will take you beyond the bling to see gems as very rare and ancient by-products of the forces that have created our lanscape. You will see extremly rare and important gems and minerals of California.

The exhibit displays from May 15, 2010-May 15, 2012 and features gems and minerals from California as well as gems from around the world. There are even gems on loan from private collectors, the American Museum of Natural History, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the Newark Museum, the Smithsonian, Harvard University, and Tiffany.

For more information: http://www.sdnhm.org/exhibits/allthatglitters/highlights.php

Alexandrite is the color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. A change of color occurs when the light source is changed; the more distinct the change of color, the more valuable the stone. A fine alexandrite is green in daylight and red in incandescent light (light bulb).

Finely faceted alexandrites above one carat are some of the most expensive gems in the world. They are extremely rare, rarer than fine ruby, sapphire or emerald.

The picture above is a set of alexandrite and diamond jewelry. A set comprised a ring set with a circular-cut alexandrite weighing 4.25 carats and pavé-set diamond surround; and a pair of ear pendants en suite, each set with a circular-cut alexandrite weighing 4.42 and 4.41 carats,mounted in 18k white gold.

Three alexandrites were certified by Gübelin Gemmological Laboratory for color change phenomenon. A set was auctioned for $141,796 at Christie's, Hong Kong.

59.50 Carats Blue Star Sapphire $ Diamond Ring for $27,392

Star sapphire and diamond ring was auctioned for $27,392 at Christie's, Hong Kong.


Star gems generally have from four to twelve rays. Most star sapphires have 6-rayed star. It's unusual to find a natural fine color blue star sapphire such a distinct and well-centered star.

Colombian Emerald & Diamond Ear Clips for $218,500

Colombian Emerald & diamond ear clips jewelry was auctioned for $218,500 at Christie's,Dubai. Emerald, weight 16.30 and 15.69 carats, mounted in platinum ring with brillant-cut diamond surround.

Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl. It's normal for emerald to have inclusions, cracks or fissures, especially if it has a deep green color. Emeralds are routinely treated with colorless oils, wax or resins to enhance clarity and improve transparency. This is a general trade practice.

Peridot & Diamond Ear Clips Jewelry by FRED LEIGHTON

Look at very fine grass green colors of this pair of peridot. The origin & sizes of the peridots is unknown. Each ear clip mounted in platinum and the pave-set diamonds surround the stones.

The peridot and diamond ear clips jewelry was auctioned for $5,000 at Christie's, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai.

Un-Heated 12.95 Carats Burma Sapphire in Diamond Ring

Look at this hot pink sapphire. It is an un-heated sapphire, big size, and Burma origin. There is no surprise for the price tag of $157,265 for the sapphire and diamond ring.

This hot pink sapphire and diamond ring was auctioned at Christie’s in Hong Kong this June, 1 2010.

An Impressive Un-Heated 12.99 Carats Burmese Ruby in Christie’s Dubai Sale

When global & far-east businesses feel the impact of U.S. subprime melt-down, Dubai feel the same.

A rare big size un-heated Burmese ruby mounted in diamond ring was auctioned in Christie’s at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai. The auction ended with an impressive price of $110,500.

Where to find Kashmir Sapphire right now?

The answer is in auction. As we know how hard it is to find a Kashmir blue sapphire in a size over 5 carats and of course, no treatment. Asking dealers in gem shows is no guarantee to have a chance to own it. Except you have a big pocket.

Kashmir Sapphire is not available in the market doesn't mean the supplies are gone. But the war in Kashmir region prevents the production and absolutely the supplies are few.

My envy is for the collector who won this Christie’s auction. The Kashmir sapphire weighing 7.29 carats mounted within a pave-set yellow diamond curved partial-surround to the similarly set gallery and hoop.