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 ...
The haircuts were accomplished. I’m thinking about a nap next.
It’s not nap time here because Lawn Guy’s mower is too loud. Besides, I may feel the need to get up and pack yet another box. Tomorrow, maybe I’ll work on the clothes because it needs to be done. SO close to being finished!
Enjoy your nap! See ya when you wake up! (And naps will be included in your vacation, by the way!)
Good! Naps can be included at Webelos Camp, too, if I’m tired enough to sleep on a picnic table ;-).
My plan is to vacate the premises, visit my son or DiL and have you text me when you begin to stir. But no cats are included, sadly. :o[
I’ll bring a stuffed cat. A real one is a mixed blessing.
Would that be your dad’s stuffed cat?
As best as could be expected... Did you managed to catch some fireworks? Local display here wasn’t as good as last year...
We’re in severe drought conditions so fireworks were banned this year. Someone in the ‘hood lit some off around 2200 Saturday night but I don’t think there were more than a dozen. One of their neighbors probably went out with a pistola and told them to put some water on it, or else.
Without the neighborhood fireworks noises, it just didn’t seem the same!
We celebrate Statehood Day on the 24th so maybe there will be a few brave souls then, who dare to light off a few more!
Yes, officially known as Dad’s Kitty. “New Dog” was seconded from my brother around 1970; he goes on camping trips and most vacations.
We had a lot of ordnance around here last night. There were a few in advance Saturday, and I expect some stragglers tonight.
By all means, bring Dad’s Kitty New Dog! I’m sure he’s very well behaved, so he’ll be no problem whatsoever!
Saw this a little earlier...turn the volume down.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3973545/posts?page=1
My pets are very quiet.
Back from getting new sneakers.
Tom got an A in physics, after all his whining. He said he got a 68 on the final, but that was the best grade in the class. He also got an A in Environmental Philosophy, of course.
I know your pets are quiet, though I’ve never met Dad’s Kitty New Dog before.
Congratulations on the new sneakers! I’m about ready for new sneakers as well, but they will have to wait for next payday. There’s no way I can get them now, even on sale, which is what I always look for.
And congratulations to Tom for his As! I’m sure Grandmama will be proud of him! Good job, Tom!
Tomorrow, I will have to get up on the stool again and re-tape the plastic that’s over the swamp cooler vent. I just can’t keep this place cool with that puny little A/C unit and the hot wind coming in around the plastic.
Dogpatch has central air, so I will have one less stress!
Having central air in a hot climate is pretty important.
The auto shopped phoned to say the Avalon is fixed, but there’s no other driver around. If we don’t get around to it before they close at 7:00, we can pick it up in the morning. It’s only a few minutes away.
Yes, A/C in that particular climate is essential. I have not forgotten my years in MO and the not-quite-year in VA. Both have air you can drink and water you can’t, so I expect no less from Dogpatch. Well, the water should be easier to drink than this water, since it’s about 300 points softer!
So, since my day was long and fairly physical, I’m heading down the hallway.
I smell cigarette smoke. I need to open the front door. I hate this.
I hope you have a good night!
Saw that as well...
To quote Leeloo Dallas, “Big-Badda-boom!”
It’s worth seeing twice! LOL!
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