Posted on 06/11/2021 11:51:04 AM PDT by 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).
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Good. Maybe it will pique his interest in it once again and he will begin to come out of his depression.
<3
Well, I thought I was going to escape, but I just got a call from the consulting company that has placed me in my current position that the agency I work for will demand consultants be vaccinated according to Mayor Putz’s latest order or lose their jobs.
Now to start filling out the religious exemption request form.
Oh, crikey.
Good luck!
He has played for Mass a couple of times. He’s 86, I think, so getting restarted again is difficult!
Us old folks can be quite surprising!
And young folks can be predictable. Weird old world!
LOL! Not in my family!
And with that, I'll say goodnight.
Prayers up for your effort on that front...
What a precious morning floof!
Good morning. Did you sleep well?
I have no clue where I am in the Continuing Stor-r-ry of my life in Dogpatch, but to update, the appointment for today has been rescheduled for Wednesday. The apartment that was and wasn’t is now an is. The move-in date is still the 30. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to driving in this town.
I had the Wobblies so bad yesterday, I was having flashbacks to the concussion I suffered in Henderson 10 years ago. FS made sure I didn’t do a face plant when I came in to get my plate for supper. They’re still with me this morning, but not quite as bad as yesterday.
I’m glad you’re feeling a little better today. I expect it’s related to a series of unpleasant surprises, but the 30th isn’t that far away, I know, because I have a lot to do to have a Spanish music concert ready!
Try some high-protein snacks!
My next thing is making forestry quizzes and more music sheets. Then there will be Student Driver Adventures.
Good morning. Happy Friday!
Good morning!
Happy Friday to you as well!
I have to get high protein snacks, first! But we’re going to Walmart tomorrow, so I’ll be able to get a few things.
The other folks are up now, and once FS leaves for work, I’ll go put my tub mat in the tub and take my shower. Even though I don’t have a meeting today, I’d still like to feel like a human person!
Yesterday, I made some order out of the chaos that was the VW Room so at least I know where things are.
Eight more days and I’ll be in my own place! YAY!!!
A long time but a short time. You’ll make it: I believe in you!
“Smart Boy”
Yes, I always reach for some extra protein if I am not feeling well...
I hope the weeks wraps up well for all...
A bit melancholy today. Ten year anniversary of dad’s passing.
A week ago was the nine year anniversary of the passing of Stephi, my best friend. Right now her mom is in the hospital with pancreatic cancer.
Sorry for your melancholy, Nully. Hopefully you will have comfort in your memories.
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