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 ...
Back from the laundry where only one washer was available again. “Waiting on part,” said the sign. So I just did one load because of pain.
I turned the ozone machine on again in the bedroom when I got back, forgetting that I needed to get hangers and the drying rack from in there.
I’ll take the morphine about 0800 so it will last me through the walk and “shopping.”
I have two hiking sticks, actually, as well as a matching cane, which I almost used yesterday because of the Wobblies. Not sure if I’ll use a hiking stick today, but it will depend on how I feel when I head out the door.
Good morning, all. Happy Monday.
We had a rainy weekend. Last night I tried to do my normal run thinking I might try to push to a full 3 miles. About 3/4 of a mile in my left calf started cramping. I had to limp home and am still walking very carefully.
Good Monday morning, ArGee!
Sorry about your calf. I don’t understand why the limbs, muscles and joints don’t agree with your brain as you age.
I hope it heals quickly.
“Seeking Safety”
I find that if I don't eat at least one banana and have at least one bottle of Gatorade Zero during the day, I can get a cramp anywhere from the ankles on up, either leg...
So I try to remember to do so... works most of the time...
I like yellow mustard for muscle cramps, sometimes followed by a cup of milk.
Back from Walmart, a Vlad Driving Adventure with screaming. It mostly wasn’t his fault. I’m going to reward myself by walking up the street and taking pictures of colorful trees.
I don’t drink Gatorade at all because of the high potassium content. It’s not good for my kidney!
But it was invented for athletes, and I say good for them, if it helps. The offshoot of it was Pedialyte which saved (and may be still saving) lots of babies in third world countries.
Gatorade is a good product if used properly, but too many people just drink it because. If it works for you, I say, “Awesome!”
I realized, in the week that I’ve been stuck indoors unpacking, that the trees are changing. It reminded me that I’ve been here visiting mostly in the winter because of James’ birthday, which is right around the corner, and only once have I been here in summer, when the trees were in full leaf.
So I’m going to have an exceptional spring to look forward to!
But I do remember the three years we lived in MO, so it won’t all be strange!
Maybe they’re just doing a low-impact neighborhood watch?
Me too. The puppy’s pulling is bad enough when I can walk fast.
There’s lots of red and orange outside right now.
Did you take some photos of the reds and oranges? It’s a gorgeous day here but very cold, and I’ve been on the phone with various entities, breaking all my “No Monday Phone Calls” rules to smithereens, but it was necessary on all of them.
So I’m taking an Oreo and milk break because the stress of Monday has taken it’s toll and I’m a wuss. I’m within five pounds of my goal weight, but somehow, I’m not worried that the Oreos will tell!
How is the puppy? Has she had any more seizures? It’s been a while since you’ve mentioned anything other than an occasional walk, so my curiosity is getting the best of me.
I don’t suppose Oreos are good for leg cramps? Especially as a prophylactic? I could eat a couple of boxes before I run for sure.
Her last seizure was the Friday before Labor Day. So, it’s a little over 10 weeks since it happened. That’s not her record but it’s a recent record so it’s good news.
She’s very demanding. I think she’s got an “alpha” personality. Mrs. ArGee thinks she’s still got too much puppy energy. So she’s not getting her self control developed to the level I would like.
Think it might be that IOT, internet of things, thing. Maybe Siri or Alex pranked poor Higgins unto searching for Nemo...though I don't discount the Smart TV having a role in Higgins trek to the sea...telling him his real mother was a sea turtle and he should join all his sibling sea turtle babies headed for the surf.
It is searching for a target.
The kill programming has activated.
Well, they’re full of carbs, and most athletes I know (knew, including moi,) liked to load up on carbs before a competition. It certainly can’t hurt to try! ;o]
I blame Alexa. It’s just the kind of prank she’d pull, for sure. If you’ve ever listened to any of her jokes...
Well. I’ll keep her in my prayers, just the same. Perhaps she’s just slow to grow out of it.
Some dogs DO have an Alpha personality, and that’s where you come in. You’re the Alpha in the pack, so you need to let her know. Period. But then, I’ve always been been the Alpha in the pack so some things come easier for me. (Didn’t mean to step on any puppy toes!) ;o])
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