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).

[nesnah]

[moose07]

Those are mild.
The depths of some names have to be seen to be believed.

[Monkey Face]

I think I’ve fallen into some euphemism and come out smelling like said euphemism!

It’s lunch time here, almost, but now, I’m wondering if I even want to.

[ArGee]

Ah, yes. Been there.

I have also been reliably informed that it’s not LAN-cast-er as in the actor’s last name. It’s lanki-stir. Just in case you’re ever in the neighborhood.

[Covenantor]

Yeah, being raised near the PA border that was a running joke when coupled with...

also in Lancaster County.

Joke was if you couldn't find Intercourse you were bound to endb up in Blue Ball.

[ArGee]

And then there's this little Texas hamlet.

[Tax-chick]

All very amusing. I had a nice lie-down with Jake after the driving adventures. Just to get in the habit.

Now to work on supper.

[nesnah]

Joke was if you couldn’t find Intercourse you were bound to end up in Blue Ball.

---

Very funny!

[ArGee]

Well, this explains the state of the restroom.

[nesnah]

I’ll see that and raise you:

https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+english+signs+funny&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS896US898&sxsrf=ALeKk00lLrPrRxYkE96FDzeTY5uxBOPFCg:1624471289014&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwik9oORq67xAhXpGFkFHZhYDhoQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1280&bih=577&dpr=1.5

[Monkey Face]

Excellent that you had a nap with Jake! I hope it helped with the Driver Instructor Jitters. I have no idea how you’ve managed to survive so many. All I know is that you have my undying respect and admiration!

And I’ll work on some lunch!

My herbs stuff should be here this afternoon. It was only a small order, but things were needed, so...

[ArGee]

Speaking of what a difference one letter can make.

[null and void]

A single letter can also change a one syllable word into a three syllable word.

[null and void]

[null and void]

[Monkey Face]

I would hate to see what would happen if you two ever sat down together. There would not only be chaos, but the fallout would be far-reaching.

It’s too much to even contemplate, so I’m going to call this a day and go do some reading!

‘Night, guys!

;o]

[Tax-chick]

I hope you have a good night. I have cooked several things!

[ArGee]

Good night, Face.

Don’t try to think about how many times that may have actually happened.

[null and void]

We’re still on for next Thursday?

[Silentgypsy]

So good to see you!