I actually spent quite a bit of time in the room displaying precious gems. While its absolutely insane that people all around the world place monetary and socio-cultural value on some decorative rocks in the ground, the cutting and setting of precious stones is an interesting art form that has evolved quite dramatically over the years. While I don't know anything about the technical demands of cutting and polishing a multifaceted gemstone, it was clearly visible from the collection on display that the for precision has come light years. The diamonds cut in the 18th century for example, just looked ragged and poorly crafted compared to anything sold in the modern era. It was also interesting that all the settings were crafted by names which I have heard as they are still around today, like Winston or Cartier, even though the necklace or broche may have been crafted several hundred years ago. I thought the most fascinating object on display was the crown Napolean had given his wife, as seen here. I don't recall the exact number but it contained something around 475 carats worth of diamonds in addition to other precious stones. I am including some other photos of what I thought to be quite spectacular in their aesthetic design and associated historical relevance.
Since I'm really not a fan of forcing people to live in economic oppression and violence, its hard for me to have much appreciation for the continued mining of diamonds. As the contemporary demand for precious elements for the manufacture of cell phones is the primary culprit in destroying nations such as Congo these days, it seems like diamonds might have some competition to be nominated the world's devastating natural resource to economic and social health. But since the international diamond cartel De Beer's recently announced that the world diamond supply is running out, the demand will be stabilized if not increased by the upcoming surge in value. It all seems absurdly convenient for De Beers, but what can one expect from an organization founded by history's super colonial imperialist, Cecil Rhodes?
I do however appreciate historical diamonds. After all, it is the ongoing demand for such objects that has created the world we live in and continue to shape the contours of our future. Its incredible to think of all the wars fought just so these objects can eventually pose for my camera. Not to mention, gemology is in itself a rather fascinating cultural institution.
When I was in Thailand, there were a lot of street hustlers who would offer to take tourists to gem cutting workhouses where they would suppossedly try to teach unsuspecting westerners all about the gem cutting and polishing process. Then they would offer to sell such precious stones at crazy low prices, sometimes even stating that they work with a jewler in New York or London who will be happy to purchase them from you. In that manner the tourists will bypass customs fees for the jeweler and also make a heap of cash in the meanwhile. Sounds like a win-win situation except:
a) Smuggling gems is illegal
b) There is never actually a jeweler in New York or London or anywhere else who will buy them
c) The gullible tourist has just handed over several hundred dollars for nothing more than some pretty colored pieces of glass.
Overall, its not a good idea, even if you are a professionally trained geologist. The touts tend to be sketchy characters, and not really the sort you want to spent much time with. They do sometimes have wonderful stories, like the guy I met who was formerly an Australian kick boxer and spent nearly an hour telling me his entire life history while I sat on the curb. Of course not all touts are trained fighters and many of them are just local kids looking to for their next meal. Still, its probably best not to follow them down the ominous dark alley into the gem shop.
