One of the world’s greatest private gem collections on display at the ROM from December 20, 2008
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) presents Light & Stone: Gems from the Collection of Michael Scott, on display from December 20, 2008 in the Gallery of Gems and Gold, part of the new Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures opening the same day on Level 2 of the Weston Family Wing. Arguably the most important private collection in North America, the Michael Scott Collection has few rivals in the world, outside of the royal families. These breathtaking and unmatched specimens of precious stones, gem crystals, jewellery and gem artworks are part of the ROM’s A Season of Gems and will be on display until November 15, 2009.
“We thank Michael Scott for choosing the ROM as the first Canadian venue to display his world-class collection,” said William Thorsell, ROM Director and CEO. “It is fitting that we inaugurate the new Gallery of Gems and Gold with this truly peerless exhibition.”
Exhibition curator Dr. Kim Tait, Associate Curator of Mineralogy, states, “This display is extremely comprehensive. Mr. Scott has collected gem species of almost every colour imaginable. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to better understand the incredible diversity of gems and crystals through artistic settings, expert cuts and masterful sculptures.”
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 9000-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.
“Collecting the world’s largest and best examples of gem species has been my passion for almost 25 years,” said Michael Scott, collection owner. “It is my true pleasure to share these exquisite pieces with ROM visitors. I call this exhibition Light & Stone because it’s the union of these two opposites that brings gemstones to brilliant life. I hope that ROM visitors feel my same wonder and awe when experiencing the amazing beauty nature creates.”
GEMSTONES
Light & Stone features traditional gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds, highlighting the surprising variety of colours of these “common” stones. This section illustrates the amazing diversity of beryl, ranging from pink morganite and blue aquamarine to the extremely rare colourless goshenite. The most well-known form of beryl is undoubtedly the emerald. An entire case is devoted to the beauty and scope of this famous stone, featuring examples of the rare red emerald species, such as a 10-carat “pigeon’s blood” ruby. One of the finest of its kind in the world, this gem is named for its intense colour, said to resemble the blood of a freshly killed young pigeon. A series of gem butterflies in all colours and styles is displayed, ranging from an antique diamond and ruby pin to a demantoid garnet butterfly with 330 garnets and 472 diamonds set in a unique ultra-light titanium mount.
The exhibition presents many uncommon gems, including extremely rare garnets, a precious stone prized for its diamond-like brilliance and found in every colour except blue. Among them, the two most desirable species of green garnets, demantoid and tsavorite, as well as other rare garnets, such as the rich orange spessartine. Sixty-three perfectly matched specimens of this beautiful stone were used in the creation of Ramona Orange, an exquisite necklace featuring a total garnet weight of 165 carats and an additional 11 carats of diamonds.
Light & Stone features an entire section devoted to tanzanites, a relatively new and rare gemstone discovered in 1968 by Maasai herdsmen in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Tanzanite can be found in shades of blue, red or brown, although the most common colour is violet-blue. It can also appear a different colour depending on the direction it’s viewed. Another new species is the surprising electric blue Paraíba-type tourmaline. Discovered in the 1980s, Paraíba-type tourmalines came from Paraíba State in northeastern Brazil. This stone is extremely rare and by far the most valuable of the tourmalines. Another notable highlight is the Paraíba parrot brooch that showcases a 7-carat faceted Paraíba-type crystal, with “feathers” composed of diamonds and 119 tourmalines, totalling 31 carats in weight.
GEMS AS ART
Light & Stone includes stunning vintage examples of custom gem-carving, a practice that dates back thousands of years, plus modern examples that show how gems continue to inspire today’s master sculptors and artisans. Mr. Scott acquired numerous carvings and sculptures from the renowned gem-carving villages of Idar and Oberstein in southwestern Germany. While it is unknown when the gem-carving tradition began in these villages, some believe it may date back to the ancient Romans. By the early 20th century, these cities were producing very sophisticated carvings, including animals sculpted out of ruby, opal and labradorite. Over 15 of the finest examples of Idar-Oberstein carving and faceting known today are on display here, including Repose, a stunning piece carved from 9,000 carats of quartz with a gold draping on an obsidian base. Created by Idar-Oberstein artist Gunter Petry in 1991, the intricate sculpture appears to be suffused with light.
Six pieces by Bernd Munsteiner, third-generation contemporary gem sculptor from the Idar-Oberstein area are on display. Munsteiner pioneered a gem-shaping technique he dubbed the “fantasy cut”, which involves inward cuts, creating grooves on the back and front of the stone. The result is that each side reflects against the other, giving the piece even greater depth and vibrancy. One of his most dramatic pieces is entitled Envy Reflections & Perspectives I, and consists of a 114-carat tourmaline “fantasy cut” to highlight the stone’s rich bluish green hue.
GIANT GEMSTONES
Light & Stone features some of the world’s largest precious gem specimens including beryls, tourmalines, and spodumenes, ranging in weight from 113 to more than 300 carats. Also on view is a giant Burmese (Myanmar) ruby crystal, weighing 10,041 carats. Another intriguing specimen is the extremely rare “rainbow” calcite. While far too delicate to be fashioned into jewellery, this stone’s unique ability to separate and reflect light into its spectral colours makes it a highly prized and very beautiful gem.
THE COLLECTOR
Light & Stone collector Michael Scott, based in California, was the first president of Apple Inc. He first became intrigued by gems and crystals upon discovering that a stone for a ring he was planning on purchasing was actually a man-made synthetic gem worth a fraction of the amount he was prepared to pay for it. He then devoted himself to learning more about these fascinating natural wonders, and what makes the right kind of gem a priceless treasure while another one is considered almost worthless. He has spent the last 25 years amassing the scientific knowledge, equipment and experience to become an expert in the pursuit of one of the world’s finest and most complete gem collections.
A SEASON OF GEMS
Light & Stone is part of the ROM’s A Season of Gems, which includes The Nature of Diamonds, presented by De Beers Canada as well as the Teck Suite of Galleries. Earth's Treasures is most wide-ranging exhibition ever developed on the allure of diamonds, and is on display until to Sunday, March 22, 2009 in the Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall, located on Level B2 in the ROM’s Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. The Teck Suite of Galleries, opening on December 20, 2008, is divided into the Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals, the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Gallery and the Gallery of Gems and Gold, home to the Light & Stone exhibition. Totaling 6,900 square feet on Level 2 of the Weston Family Wing, the galleries showcase the ROM’s exceptional specimens of minerals, gems, rocks and meteorites, a collection among the finest in North America. The fascinating displays are contextualized and illuminated by over 40 interactive touch stations, compelling video exhibits and engrossing information on Canada’s mining industry.
The ROM Museum Store on Level 1 celebrates A Season of Gems with glittering diamond and gem-inspired jewellery, home décor, clothing, stationary, and geologic specimens, just in time for the holidays. Also, c5 Restaurant Lounge, the ROM’s unique dining destination located at the pinnacle of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, is offering a limited-time
ROM FOR THE HOLIDAYS
This coming holiday season, the ROM is celebrating the opening of the Teck Suite of Galleries and the Light & Stone exhibition with exciting hands-on programming for the whole family. Families are welcome to join in the fun and make a diamond tiara, construct scientific diamond models, sift through mine gravel for gems, pan for gold, and even go on a prospecting hunt for earth’s treasures. ROM for the Holidays runs from December 27 to January 4. Activities take place between 11 am to 4 pm and are included with Museum admission.
OTHER INFORMATION
ROM Members already know that the best way to experience the ROM is through Membership. A ROM Individual or Family Membership delivers numerous benefits, including free general admission, newsletters, events, previews, discounts and much more. An exclusive Members' Sneak Peek for Light & Stone and the Teck Suite of Galleries takes place on Friday, December 19, 2008. For additional information or to purchase a membership, call 416.586.5700 or visit www.rom.on.ca/members.
Throughout its engagement, Docents from the ROM’s Department of Museum Volunteers will offer free tours of the exhibition at regularly scheduled times. Visit www.rom.on.ca/whatson for more information.
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.