See the 'Star of India,' decades after it was nabbed in a heist [NYC]

https://www.livescience.com ^ | JUNE 11, 2021 | By Mindy Weisberger - Senior Writer

[Red Badger]

At 563 carats, the Star of India is the world’s largest gem-quality blue star sapphire, and is approximately 2 billion years old. (Image credit: D. Finnin/Copyright AMNH)

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What does the legendary Star of India — a 563-carat star sapphire the size of a golf ball — have in common with a 35-million-year-old petrified redwood slab; a massive cluster of sword-like crystals that looks like it came from "Game of Thrones;" and a 5-ton (4.5-metric ton) stone pillar that can "sing?"

You can see all of them, along with 5,000 other amazing stones, in the newly renovated Mignone Hall of Gems and Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City, which is reopening after a four-year closure on Saturday (June 12). There, one-of-a-kind precious gems appear alongside odd-looking rocks — some of which date to billions of years ago — that have been uniquely warped and twisted by extreme temperatures and pressures.

Individually and together, these objects tell a story of the diverse geologic processes that shape minerals on Earth's surface and deep inside our planet, beginning when the world was young and continuing to this day, museum representatives told Live Science.

Related: 13 mysterious and cursed gemstones

The Star of India, which formed about a billion years ago, was discovered in Sri Lanka in the 18th century. It is one of the best-known gems in the world, in part because it was famously and brazenly stolen from AMNH in 1964, along with several more of the museum's prized stones, by a pair of thieves named Jack "Murf the Surf" Murphy and Allan Kuhn, Smithsonian reported in 2014, on the heist's 50th anniversary. (The one-of-a-kind sapphire was recovered and went back on display in 1965).

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Awwwwww *blush*

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How about Darkchylde? What is she, chopped liver???

[Monkey Face]

Oh, no...her and her mom, too! Gotta keep them all!

[HKMk23]

Something to put on the calendar! WOO-HOO!

[Bikkuri]

I’m still here ;)

[Monkey Face]

Yessir!

As soon as I get a definite date, I’ll let everyone know. I’m having mixed emotions, but it will be OK. There are several people here (Hurricane) that I will miss for a small period of time, but no one I can’t live without.

The results of moving are all good. It will take a readjustment to the climate, but I’ve lived in MO and VA, and AR has family to offer, so, BONUS!

[Monkey Face]

Yes, you are! So we’ll just keep you! ;o]

[ArGee]

Goodluck with the fire fighting.

See you at the next delurk.

[ArGee]

As that one vintner used to say in their commercials.

We will sell no wine before it’s made.

Or, something like that anyway.

[Tax-chick]

Yoohoo!

[PROCON]

OK, OK, I'm guilty of not coming by as often as I should.

Having said that...

[Silentgypsy]

Congrats and be safe on the roads!

[Silentgypsy]

I’m staying, thanks. Having difficulty getting my act together.

[Monkey Face]

I hate to see a grown man cry. So you can stay. And I’m so glad!! :o]

[Monkey Face]

I’m so glad you are. Thanks! We need you!

[Darkchylde]

Sorry I haven't been around...

[Monkey Face]

It’s OK. We know you’re busy and focused on other things. But you’re a keeper, no matter what! ;o]

‘Face

[Darksheare]

Found a dude altering a coloring book Olaf into an Abominitious Slavering Snowman.
https://youtu.be/2S7EuFSbMsU?t=402

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Missed ya.

Did you just bring a dead cat back to life???

[Darkchylde]

Heh, it was a representation of my energy lately.