Coloured gems, rare rocks to hold sway at Christie's show

We know diamonds as the transparent, clear pieces of beauty they are, but 'Rare Treasures of the Earth, a museum-quality public exhibition uncovering the mystery of natures most beautiful gems, will bring to viewers the science behind coloured diamonds. It will go on view at Christies London here next month.

Featuring spectacular coloured diamonds alongside rare rocks and minerals, the exhibition will showcase interactive demonstrations from De Beers Group Institute of Diamonds, tracing the diamond's journey from deep within the earth to a captivating jewel.

Leading the exhibition is 'The Cullinan Dream', a 24.18ct Fancy Intense Blue VS2 rectangular-shaped diamond, drawn from the Cullinan mine in South Africa, formerly known as the Premier mine. The diamond is remarkable for its pure and consistently strong blue colour throughout every facet, Christie's said.

Further highlights include superb coloured diamonds including a vivid pinkish-purple diamond of 2.01ct, a purplish-red diamond of 1.09ct and a vivid bluish-green diamond of 1.42ct.

"The coloured diamond is the world's most valuable gemstone, an exclusive beauty revered for its rarity and individual colour expression. The jewellery event (will explore) the origin, rarity and value of these extraordinary gemstones" Mei Giam, Christie's Jewellery Private Sales Director

Also featured in the selling exhibition is a vast selection of unusual minerals and crystals sourced from the furthest corners of the globe by Dale Rogers Ammonite, London's premier crystal gallery.

Examples include jade, labradorite, quartz and agate. Together these geological wonders offer an experience of nature's alchemy in an exhibition paying tribute to earth's treasury and legacy to mankind.

'Rare Treasures of the Earth' runs from November 8-12.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@.in)

( With inputs from IANS )