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Testing the Hope Diamond
Scientists at the Natural History Museum search for the elusive "recipe" that endows the famed gem with its unique blue color
November 2010 |
By Joseph Caputo
A New Chapter in the Hope Diamond’s History
The National Museum of Natural History’s most famous gem gets a modern update
August 18, 2009 |
By Abby Callard
Civil War Geology
What underlies the Civil War’s 25 bloodiest battles? Two geologists investigate why certain terrain proved so hazardous
April 14, 2009 |
By David Zax
The Curious Case of the Arkansas Diamonds
In a state park full of amateur diamond miners, one prospector dug up a valuable stone worth thousands of dollars—or did he?
January 09, 2009 |
By Brendan Borrell
Diamonds on Demand
Lab-grown gemstones are now practically indistinguishable from mined diamonds. Scientists and engineers see a world of possibilities
June 2008 |
By Ulrich Boser
Glow-in-the-Dark Jewels
How the Hope Diamond's mysterious phosphorescence led to "fingerprinting" blue diamonds
January 14, 2008 |
By Kenneth R. Fletcher
Paleozoic Vermont
What's the world's oldest communal ocean reef doing in the Green Mountain State?
January 2007 |
By Dick Teresi
Diamonds Unearthed
In part two of this series, Smithsonian diamond expert Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem and Mineral Collection, discusses conflict diamonds, colored diamonds and synthetic gems grown in the lab
January 01, 2007 |
By Cate Lineberry
Diamonds Unearthed
In the final installment of this three-part series, Smithsonian diamond expert Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem and Mineral Collection, discusses the fascinating stories behind the Smithsonian's diamond collection
January 01, 2007 |
By Cate Lineberry
Diamonds Unearthed
In the first installment of a multi-part series, Smithsonian diamond expert Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem and Mineral Collection, explains how the rare crystals form
December 2006 |
By Cate Lineberry
Romance And The Stone
A rare Burmese ruby memorializes a philanthropic woman
February 2005 |
By Owen Edwards
