The Smithsonian National Gem Collection―Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels Paperback – March 23, 2021

Lushly illustrated with professional and detailed photos or every type and description of the gemstones mentioned, this version of the Smithsonian's Gem Collection is split into three parts. The storied items - the Marie Louis Diadem and Napoleon Diamond Necklace along with a jadeite dragon vase and the Warner Crystal Ball (largest known flawless quartz sphere at 12.8" x 12.8" and weighing over 106 pounds). The Smithsonian cup carved from a chunk of agateNotable Gems from a honey-brown cats eye chrysoberyl. The palm-sized Eternal Fire Opal. Smoky citrine quartz crystals weighing 117 pounds. Tanzanite and demantoid or green garnets. A floral design cut into a slice of emerald by the Mogul rulers back around 1700.The spectacular Don Pedro aquamarine obelisk which is 13.75" high, weighs 10,363 carats (about 4.6 pounds) and was almost sold and cut up into smaller stones. The American Golden Topaz - the largest faceted gem in the collection (and second in the world) at 22,892.5 carats (just over 10 pounds) - along with a 12,555 carat golden sphere with over 1000 facets and 2 giant uncut topaz crystals weighting in at 70 pounds (31.8 kilos) and 111 pounds (50.4 kilos).Then there are the families - diamonds and the brilliant blue and lush green of corundum which can also be yellow, green or even colorless. Beryl which includes aquamarine and emeralds. Tourmaline which has tits color-zoned elbaite gemstones of green into pink and red. The family of quartz that includes amethyst, citrine, rose, smokey and rock crystals. Blood red garnets along with orange, purple and rare green tsavorite. Zircon which in nature are brown, green and yellow but with heat treatments can become shades of blue, golden orange and red. Topaz and Opals and Spodumene and Spinel.And of course, no book about the Smithsonian gems would be complete with a section on the Hope Diamond and the legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post. She donated many pieces to the museum and convinced many friends and acquaintances to as well. In fact, many - if not most - of the items in the collection have been donated to the Smithsonian over the decades.So - if you like to look at sparkly things and realize that even if you saw them in person, you would not be allowed to get close enough to see the details and intense colors (if the pieces are even on display at the time of your visit), this will definitely be worth a careful examination of each picture.I will note that the 5 stars was more due to the gorgeous pictures rather than the rather repetitious short histories that accompanied the storied and notable pieces.**This review is identical to the one posted on GoodReads.com

The media could not be loaded. A gem collection from the Smithsonian for me to learn from and actually get to stare at aside from the monitors screens? YES, please!I’m getting more into gems and jewelry as a crafter, so I obviously needed to learn my history of how and why beautiful pieces came to be so I went to the good old Amazon.I waited for the prices to go down and when I saw a 5 dollar coupon last week, I jump on the deal. Now I have a beautiful book to show off to my jewelry making friends that we can all geek about and admired from.Pros:- The book is a lot bigger than I thought.- The quality of the images are beautiful BUT it provides context and history behind every piece!- Explains the history of the gems and the jewelry pieces in a helpful and simple way.- Each type of gem (like opals, quartz, etc.) is explained from how it was discover to how it’s made by nature.- Again, I get to learn while look at pretty pretty pictures.Cons:- I wish the book was bigger or that their was a different volumes of it. I’m sure there are a lot more gems and pieces that Smithsonian has to show of.If you still have doubts about adding this gorgeous book to your collection or to learn from, look at the flip through. There is no other way than seeing it.

This is a very impressive book with high quality color photographs and the stories to go with the premier jewels in the Smithsonian Institution's collection. You will not be disappointed! When you get the book, immediately turn to page 164 to start reading about the Hope Diamond and remember how long you stood in line to see it! Then re-start reading the book from the beginning!

Love this book - am reading several pages a day. I purchased after visiting the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in DC in April 2023 and viewing the National Gem collection. The stories about the gems are very interesting and the photographs are beautiful. I purchased a "used" book - in reality it was brand new but the back cover was damaged during the unpacking step. Book otherwise was in perfect condition.

A book which provides the histories behind some of the largest and most beautiful gemstones in the world. Any gem enthusiast would enjoy reading this book.

Book is just as described, awesome pictures and details.

Wonderful reading about the many treasures. Great to read a couple of storys at a time and then think about those items. It makes me want to return to see the things new to the collection since I last visited many years ago.

Wrote a review of this book for FL magazine as I often go to the Smithsonian to see the jewels in person but others cannot and now I even know the back stories of some of the world’s finest jewels. I particularly loved the contributions made by Mrs. Marjorie Merriweather Post. The photos of these jewels are spectacular.