EXHIBIT NEWS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristin Friedrich
[email protected]
213.763.3532, cell 323.449.7370
The Blue Moon Diamond, One of the Rarest Gems Worldwide, Makes Debut at
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
August 25, 2014--The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) will unveil one of the
rarest stones, a 12-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, internally flawless. The “Blue Moon Diamond” will
be housed in a special, temporary exhibition in the Gem Vault, beginning on September 13, 2014.
Photo by Tino Hammid
The Blue Moon Diamond has been categorized as an extremely significant find
– and one of the newest and rarest stones currently worldwide – due to its
unique color, clarity, and size. Cut from a 29.6-carat rough, the internally
flawless gem is fashioned in a cushion-cut shape at a noteworthy 12 carats.
The trace element boron within the carbon structure of the stone is
responsible for its blue color. Diamonds with a strong saturated color
represent only a tiny percentage of all natural diamonds – and only a minute
percentage of all natural color diamonds are blue, making the Blue Moon
Diamond exceptional. The stone was found in a mine northeast of Pretoria,
South Africa, known for discovering some of the most recognized blue and
other color diamonds in the world, the Cullinan mine.
To celebrate the unveiling of the finished stone, NHM will host a special exhibition from September
13, 2014 through January 6, 2015. Visitors will be able to view the Blue Moon Diamond in person and
learn more about the stone. The rare gem is on loan from Cora International, a world leading
manufacturer and supplier of white and fancy colored diamonds.
“Fancy vivid blue diamonds are extremely rare and the Blue Moon is no exception. It is a historic
stone that is one of the rarest gems with this color and in this size to be found in recent history,” said
Suzette Gomes, CEO of Cora International. “After seeing the stone’s color and understanding its
significance, it was fitting to name it ‘Blue Moon Diamond’ as not only is its shape reminiscent of a
full moon, but the metaphor for the expression is exactly what one could say about the occurrence
and existence of such a gemstone.”
A blue moon is used colloquially to mean a rare event, as in the phrase “once in a blue moon.” A
vivid blue that is categorized as IF, internally flawless, denotes why this stone is among the rarest
diamonds in the world.
1
To showcase the significance of this stone, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has made a
monograph of the Blue Moon Diamond. According to the GIA, a monograph offers detailed
documentation of outstanding gems in book format, offering a holistic perspective on their character
and significance. The GIA Monograph report “fleshes out the details of a gem’s story, highlighting the
features that elevate the gem to the realm of the truly exceptional.” The GIA has also written a
special letter for this stone due to its rarity and beauty.
“This special exhibit fits within the Museum's mission to enhance discovery of the natural world
through furthering the future of diamond research. Blue diamonds are among the rarest of all natural
colored diamonds,” said Eloïse Gaillou, curator and diamond expert, Natural History Museum of Los
Angeles County. “The exhibit will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to see one of
the world's most exquisite blue diamonds in person.”
The largest rough gem diamond was discovered at the Cullinan mine in South Africa in 1905, and was
presented to the British monarch Edward VII. The 3,106-carat stone was then cut, with two of the
principal diamonds forming part of the British crown jewels – the 530-carat First Star of Africa and the
Second Star of Africa at 317 carats, now held in the Tower of London.
About NHM
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) is located at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA,
90007. It is a national leader in research, exhibitions and education. The Museum was the first dedicated
museum building in Los Angeles, opening its doors in 1913. It has amassed one of the world’s most extensive
and valuable collections of natural and cultural history — with more than 35 million objects, some as old as 4.5
billion years. For more information, visit the Museum’s website at www.nhm.org or call (213) 763-DINO.
2