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Featuring: The spectacular 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond; Elizabeth TAYLOR'S 33.19-CARAT KRUPP DIAMOND -- GIFT FROM RICHARD BURTON; FIRST LADY HILLARY CLINTON'S DIAMOND RING -- WORN AT THE `93 & `97 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURALS; JOAN CRAWFORD'S DIAMOND BRACELET; DIAMOND tiara WORN BY GRACE KELLY; AND HOCKEY SUPERSTAR MARK MESSIER'S STANLEY CUP RING.
DETAILS:
The Nature of Diamonds, the most comprehensive exhibition ever mounted on the subject of diamonds, opens at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on November 1, 1997. The exhibition explores all facets of this extraordinary mineral--the hardest natural substance on Earth--from its geological origins to its place in history, art, adornment, and literature, to its uses in modern technology and research. The dual nature of diamonds-at once tough and shimmering, utilitarian and decorative is revealed through dozens of breathtaking gems and an in-depth examination of diamonds as a natural substance. The Nature of Diamonds explores the human fascination with this mineral and the allusions and symbolism that give it such a mystical aura. The exhibition remains on view through April 26, 1998.
Many historically and scientifically significant gems from collections around the world are on loan for this exhibition. A specially designed walk-in diamond vault houses some of the most dazzling objects in the exhibition, many of which have never before been on view in North America. Included in the exhibition are: The spectacular 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond and the 24-carat Arkansas Diamond, on loan from Tiffany & Co.; a stunning array of jewels from the Kremlin, including the Hermitage Ring, diamond-studded Diamond Crown of Peter the Great (r. 1682-1725) and other gems, owned by Catherine the Great (r. 1762-90); From the fabled Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden -- a five-inch-long diamond hat-ornament of Friedrich August III, Elector, then King of Saxony and Duke of Warsaw (1750-1827); an assortment of superb eighteenth-century regal diamond jewelry, on loan from the National Palace of Ajuda Museum, Lisbon, including a spectacular necklace (c. 1865) belonging to Maria Amelia, Queen Consort of Carlos I of Portugal (r. 1899-1908).
Also featured are Elizabeth Taylor's 33.19-carat Krupp diamond -- gift from Richard Burton; First Lady Hillary Clinton's diamond ring -- worn at the '93 & '97 presidential inaugurals; Joan Crawford's diamond bracelet; diamond tiara worn by Grace Kelly; and hockey superstar Mark Messier's Stanley Cup ring.
Other diamond adornments are on display alongside paintings in the historical gallery, which places the aristocratic jewelry in its human and historic context through a selection of paintings representing four centuries of portraiture. Also on display in the historical gallery are many rare and unusual jewels on loan from a wide array of public and private collections around the world.
SATELLITE NEWSFEED INCLUDES:
- an edited news piece EXPLORING THE NATURE OF DIAMONDS EXHIBITION AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.
- SOUNDBITES: George E. Harlow, curator of THE EXHIBITION; ELLEN V. FUTTER, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.
- VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS THE NATURE OF DIAMONDS EXHIBITION, INCLUDING SHOTS OF THE MOST DAZZLING DIAMONDS ON DISPLAY (listed above).
Satellite Times and Coordinates (For your free and unrestricted use):
Thursday, 10/30/97, 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST/Re-feed at 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST
Galaxy 6 (c-band), Transponder 11/DL: 3920H MHz./Audio: 6.2 & 6.8 MHz.
For technical information: MediaTech, 212-463-8300, ask for production department.
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