Special exhibition featuring over 200 of the world’s finest gems closes on November 15, 2009
November 15, 2009 will be visitors’ last chance to experience dazzling precious stones, gem crystals, jewellery and gem artworks from what is arguably the most important private collection in North America. The Michael Scott Collection, on display in the Gallery of Gems and Gold, part of the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures on Level 2 of the Weston Family Wing, has few rivals in the world outside of the royal families.
The Gallery of Gems and Gold will re-open on December 19, 2009 featuring the ROM’s own collection of nearly 600 beautiful and rare gems, gem crystals, jewellery and gold specimens representing the wide diversity and colour of precious stones, and some of the finest gems and jewellery in Canada and around the world.
THE EXHIBITION
Light & Stone: Gems from the Collection of Michael Scott brings together over 200 superb pieces, all carefully chosen by Mr. Scott to represent the quality and diversity of crystals and gems, as well as their stunning range of colour. Jewellery pieces, gemstones cut and unset, as well as modern interpretations of gemstones as art are all dazzlingly displayed. Among the exhibition’s highlights:
• A 9,000-carat carved quartz sculpture entitled Repose, depicting a nude male youth with a draping of 18 karat gold over his lap.
• A spectacular tiara entitled Queen of Kilimanjaro, featuring the world’s largest faceted tanzanite (242 carats) on 18 karat white gold, encircled by 803 rare tsavorite garnets and 913 brilliant-cut diamonds.
• The world’s largest faceted benitoite gem, over 15 carats. This extremely rare stone was discovered in 1907 in San Benito County, California and, as it has been found nowhere else in the world, has become that state’s official gemstone. Benitoite has the colour of a blue sapphire but the fire and reflective properties of a diamond, and scientists have yet to discover what chemical properties of the gem give it its vivid hue.
TECK SUITE OF GALLERIES: EARTH’S TREASURES
Composed of the Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals, the Gallery of Gems and Gold and the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Gallery, the galleries occupy a combined total of 6,900 square feet and showcase over 2,300 of the ROM’s exceptional specimens of minerals, gems, meteorites and rocks, a collection among the finest in North America. The fascinating displays are contextualized by over 40 interactive touch-screen stations, compelling video exhibits and engrossing information on Canada’s mining industry.
Admission to Light & Stone: Gems from the Collection of Michael Scott is included with paid general admission. Adults: $22; Students and Seniors with ID: $19; Children (4 to 14 years) $15; Children 3 & under are free. Half price admission prices, presented by Sun Life Financial, apply on Friday nights from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Groups of 10 or more adults may call Mirvish Group Sales at 416.593.4142 or 1.800.724.6420 for information on special rates and private guided tours. Schools and student groups should visit www.rom.on.ca/schools/ or call the ROM’s Education Department at 416.586.5801 for information on the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures School Visits which are offered at both the elementary and secondary level.
Light & Stone is generously supported by Michael Scott