Jeffrey Post, Ph.D.
Curator in Charge
National Gem Collection
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
The United States National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian Institution is well-known for its world-class gems and jewelry pieces such as the notorious Hope Diamond, Polly Logan's 423 carat sapphire, and historic pieces from Marjorie Merriweather Post such as the Napoleon Diamond Necklace, Blue Heart Diamond, and the Post Diamond Tiara currently on loan to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. Among the more than 10,000 other gems are many equally unique and fascinating stones from around the world. This talk will explore the stories behind some of the famous and lesser known gems in the National Collection, as well as highlight some exciting recent additions to the collection.
Dr. Jeffrey Edward Post is the Chairman of the Department of Mineral Sciences, lead Curator for the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals, and, since 1991, has served as Curator of the U.S. National Gem and Mineral Collection. Prior to joining the Smithsonian Institution in 1984, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Geological Sciences at Harvard University. His areas of research interest include mineralogy, gemology, geochemistry, crystallography, and electron microscopy; and he has published more than 90 scientific articles in these fields. He earned Bachelor of Science degrees in geology and chemistry from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville and a Ph.D. in chemistry, with a specialty in geochemistry, from Arizona State University.
Held at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science1801 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 • (505) 841-2800 Visit: www.nmnaturalhistory.org
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The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science reserves the right to cancel any event that does not reach a minimum of 6 participants.