"Precious Stones" at the Gallery of Evolution in Paris
Facing the Great Mosque of Paris, inside the Jardin des Plantes, the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution is currently showcasing the stunning exhibition “Precious Stones” until June 14th 2021, a fantastic collaboration between Van Cleef & Arpels and the Natural History Museum. The exhibition brings together over 500 minerals, gems and objets d'art from the Natural History Museum’s collections and more than 200 gems and jewelry creations from the House of Van Cleef & Arpels.
The exhibition’s unique and extensive approach to mineralogy, gemology and the art of jewellery making is what makes it so fascinating. Thanks to instructive screenings, the visitor is taught about minerals’ geological formation, their shape, chemical and physical properties and receives the opportunity to marvel at the most incredible crystals created by the hand of nature whilst also admiring stunning creations created by man.
Here is a small focus on various stones from the exhibition including the emerald, ruby, blue chalcedony, chrysoprase and moonstone as well as unique Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery pieces.
To discover LWJ’s latest “Damask Rowse” jewellery curation, head here:
Top Right: Blue Chalcedony Cabochon from Yemen.
Bottom Right: Blue Chalcedony from the Transvaal Province of South Africa.
Middle Left: surface polished Chrysoprase from Silesia, Poland.
The Emerald
An Emerald Crystal surrounded by pyrite crystals.
Emerald is a variety of beryl, coloured by the presence of chromium and/or vanadium, or even iron. It is characaterized by the meeting of chemical elements of different geological origins: on the one hand beryllium, more abundant on the Earth’s crust; and on the other, chromium and vanadium which mostly originate in the mantle.
Later, the fluids containing these elements percolate through various magmatic, sedimentary or metamorphic rocks in which the emerald will crystallize. The emerald’s rarity comes from the low probability that such different chemical elements are able to interact during the same geological process.
An Incredible Indian Inspired Necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels Collection, crafted in 1971 and features yellow gold, carved emeralds and diamonds. The necklace is transformable into two bracelets and a detachable pendant clip.
The Ruby
Ruby, a gemstone highly sought after for its rarity, occupies a special place in the history of Van Cleef & Arpels, particularly with the development of the Mystery Setting.
Patented in 1933, this technique makes it possible to conceal metal so that only the precious stones are visible. With its velvet-like petals, the Fuchsia Brooch is a great example.
A Mystery-Set Ruby And Diamond Fuchsia Brooch, By Van Cleef & Arpels.
The moonstone
The name “moonstone” is a generic term for feldspars with a bluish shimmering reflection, called adularescence, recalling the glow of the moon.
A beautiful moonstone cabochon set brooch.
