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Peyton_Kelley

Smithsonian Institution May 21

by on ‎05-20-2011 07:02 PM

Please tune in to QVC from 8 - 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 21 for one of the most exciting shows that I have been privileged to work on. The journey through the National Gem Gallery will showcase some of the iconic pieces in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The breadth of stories will take you on a voyage from the Treasure Room through the Gem Gallery — stopping for a first-ever story in the mining area — and then behind the scenes to the vault where Jeff Post, curator of the National Gem Gallery, will share stories of some of the treasures waiting to come out on display


Jewelry based on many of the iconic pieces in the Smithsonian’s collection will be featured.  Two of my very favorite pieces in the Gem Gallery’s Collection are the Opal Peacock and Thompson Diamond Earrings, each designed by Harry Winston. The opal peacock ring and necklace that are inspired by this treasure are truly works of art. The cognac quartz necklace based on the Thompson Diamonds is very beautiful and a real showstopper.

Paula Crevoshay, the famous American jewelry designer, donated the famed Conchita Butterfly to the permanent collection of the Gem Gallery. Paula is a wonderful, extremely sweet, and considerate person who was kind enough to design a ring and pendant for QVC based on this fabulous treasure. Please watch for footage of Paula speaking about the Conchita Butterfly and sharing the story of why it means so much to her.

Other special pieces include the largest and finest tanzanite that QVC has ever offered, as well as the first-ever fancy-shaped, single-stone alexandrite ring. I am in awe every time I see these stones.

For the first time ever, amazonite from the Morefield Mine found in Amelia Court House, VA will be offered commercially for sale. I have lived in Virginia for over 30 years and had never heard of this mine. When I started working on the Smithsonian project, I decided to find out what the story of this mine was. My friends in the gem business told me it had been closed for years and a court house had been built on it. I did a search online and found a contact for the mine owners, Sam and Sharon Dunaway. I called them up and made a trip (35 minutes from my house) to see what this was really all about. I was not only delighted by Sam and Sharon (who are wonderful) but also to find that the mine was still in existence and contained some of the most beautiful amazonite that I had ever seen. Sam was kind enough to take me down in the mine to see this fabulous stone in its natural state. What an experience.

Please don’t miss this fantastic journey.

Take care,

Peyton







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