A Gem of A Show
The 1999 Gem and Mineral Show
August 27 – 29
Fancy colored diamonds and a spectacular diamond
necklace shown off in the 1952 film Tarzan’s Savage Fury are some
of the objects that will dazzle you at the Second Annual Carnegie Gem and
Mineral Show. Marc Wilson, head of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s
Section of Minerals and organizer of the Gem and Mineral Show, notes that
visitors to this large show in the Music Hall foyer, Architecture Hall
and Sculpture Hall can be more than window shoppers. Gems, minerals, jewelry
and lapidary art in all price ranges will appeal to everyone who wants
to buy something beautiful to take home.
The Gem and Mineral Show -- a three-day
long celebration of awesome rocks and eye-popping jewelry -- is, well,
a gem. "Everything is done at the highest level," says Wilson. "And the
location is totally unique -- the majestic halls of a museum, not a warehouse."
Last year’s show attracted nearly 5,000 attendees.
On display this year are magnificent gem
and mineral specimens from the
Smithsonian and the Houston Museum of Natural
Science -- home to two of the finest collections in North America. Wayne
State University, Pennsylvania State University, the Seaman Mineralogical
Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History are also represented.
Six premier jewelers of our region, including
Chappel Hills, Henne, Joden World Resources, Moses, Orr’s and Levine Designs--
will bring their most fabulous adornments to show and sell. A diamond cutter
from Henne Jewelers will demonstrate his craft throughout the show. He’ll
make his first cleave at the preview party on August 27 and will finish
the stone by the closing on August 29.
Argentum Auctioneers and Appraisers of
Massachusetts will conduct a mineral auction on Saturday, August 29 at
6:30 p.m. Prices for some specimens are expected to reach many thousands
of dollars. A pre-auction barbecue will be held in the Museum of Art’s
outdoor Sculpture Court.
Entrance to the Gem and Mineral Show is
an additional $2, with museum admission. Two events -- the Preview Party
on Thursday, August 26 and a pre-auction barbecue on Saturday, August 28
-- have a fee. Call (412) 622-3232 to make reservations.
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