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 ...
Yes, you’re right. I used to be very good at ignoring people but since I haven’t been around people for a very long time, I’ve lost the art. I do believe it’s time to bring it back into play. Thanks for the reminder!
It’s hard to believe that I’m going to spend part of today and tomorrow with people I love instead of having to settle for a phone call. I’m sure Charlie will call tomorrow, and FD, of course, but there are five Other Folks that I’ll get to see. It will seem odd, after all these years (33 years?) of just me. No wonder I worked the holidays!
It’s going to be “warm” but overcast today!
Yes, what a big change! Try to be nice to yourself ;-).
The sun is coming up here, and it looks like the temperature is above freezing. We have choir this morning.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Merry Christmas to you and all on the undead thread!
Merry Christmas, Jet and NtI!
So good to hear from you both, at this special time of year!
May the next two days (at least!) be “merry and bright!”
‘Face
;o]
Yes, it will be a big change, but this morning, I decided I’m going to wear my bunny slippers to the get-together to remind me to be clam and enjoy myself and ignore everything that is an all-joy sucker.
I’ll just look at the stupid faces on the silly things and take heart in knowing I’m in control! Not to mention, I found a T-shirt with a Nativity scene in gold and the inscription over it says, “Come, let us adore him.” So I’m wearing that over a red turtleneck. And Kermit leggings because they’re red and green!
As I was reading the temps in other parts of the country, I saw that your day(s) will be similar to mine. We’re not that far apart!
The shower has been had, and I need to finish my letter to Charlie, then sort pills. Then I can do what I want until it’s time to leave.
I hope that your extra time off will be very enjoyable!
Hopefully the toast didn’t burn!
Underground storm shelters (even if only a section of conduit or old water tank with a breathing tube) is a must in that part of the country.
Sounds mighty chilly, hopefully it isn’t windy too!
Was away from the computer and scurrying with chores almost all day into the night... our big family dinner is here today, going to start some preps as soon as I am done with the livestock...
Merry Christmas Eve to All!!
Good morning! Best wishes for a peaceful Christmas.
It would certainly make me feel better to have an underground shelter, but rental properties don’t do things like that. However, I figure when my Time on Earth is up, it won’t really matter which way I die. I need to take that Final Step, no matter what!
What kind of livestock do you own, Z?
Just curious, and if you feel it’s invasive, just tell me. It’s OK!
That was beautiful.
Merry Christmas to you!
Thanks! Merry Christmas to all my undead friends!!
I’m still undead!
Merry Christmas, Delta 21!
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