"Behind the Scene" visit of Harvard Mineralogical & Geological Museum

Special thanks to Dr. Raquel Alonso-Perez, Curator of the Harvard Mineralogical & Geological Museum * https://mgmh.fas.harvard.edu/mineral-and-gem-collection and The Women Jewelry Association, Boston Chapter

Minerals in the systematic series are organized chemically. About 4,000 of the finest specimens are displayed in the HMNH mineral gallery. The rest - the "working" collection - is housed behind the scenes. It archives specimens used in past studies and holds material suitable for future investigation. This is the primary and largest part of the mineral collection.

The Gemstone Collection consists of approximately 1,200 gems and is broadly representative, though its strength lies in New England gems which account for roughly 60% of the collection. Its systematic development begin in 1923 when Albert F. Holden left the museum a generous endowment to help fund new acquisitions. From that point on the collection grew considerably under the direction of curator Charles Palache. In the late seventies an unprecedented influx of gemstones into the collection influenced the museum's decision to separate the gems from the mineral collection into their own distinct collection. Though the gem collection contains cabochons, carvings, and other lapidary art material, the majority of items are faceted stones. Arguably the most prized and well known piece of the collection is the Hamlin Necklace which was created by Augustus Hamlin to showcase eighteen tourmaline's from the Mount Mica Mine he owned and operated. The necklace was bequeathed to the museum in 1934.

This Necklace was Exhibited at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in 2016.

Behind the scene gave us access to the vault and we wear able to see, touch and hold some amazing gold nugget, jewelry and gems.

I had never held a large gold nugget, this one is the largest ever found in France, in the region of Ardèche, actually not far from where I was born ! I had no idea there were gold finds in France!

And what a treat to see and touch this very rare Green Diamond of approximately 5 carats, donated to the Museum in the 60's together with a similar cut Cognac Diamond

An a very rare enormous Green Beryl from India Dr. Raquel Alonzo Perez just brought back on Germany, on loan to the Museum and valued at $ 800,000 which would need to be raised to acquire it for the Museum

This was a great visit and an awesome way to spend a Tuesday evening! Gerard Riveron.

This Museum is well worth a visit and a kind of 'hidden treasure' in the Boston area. Go to Harvard and visit

https://mgmh.fas.harvard.edu/mineral-and-gem-collection 26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138 - Google Map https://goo.gl/maps/fGYsWjB6g9r