Although Susan and I have been on here for a couple of years, when I
changed my email, I couldn’t figure out how to do it here, so now
have a new name/email. Always enjoyed the posts. We are in
Washington, DC and wanted to know if anybody has any suggestions of
places to see that have great jewelery, stones, etc. Thank you and I
hope everyone had a great Christmas and a prosperous New Years.
We are in Washington, DC and wanted to know if anybody has any
suggestions of places to see that have great jewelery, stones, etc.
There are a couple malls in VA, one across the street pretty much
from the other. I can’t recall the name, but the locals will know it.
(Could be Tysons Corner). One mall is for you and me & the other is
for the well breaded. In that fancier mall is a De Beers store. Go
there and look at the amazing diamonds.
Oh, this is jewelry related, but very cool. There’s a free app from
the National Park Service that gives you guided tours of different
lengths and gives interesting
Rick, If you are interested in seeing gems then there is noting
better than the collection at Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
However, if you want to see jewelry, I recommend the Walters Museum
in Baltimore. They have the best permanent jewelry & watch
collection I have found in the area. Other museums you might also
consider include the Hillwood Museum and Dumbarton Oaks Museum. The
Hillwood focuses on Russian art while Dumbarton Oaks focuses on
Byzantine and pre-Columbian. Also, if you are interested in meeting
others interested in jewelry, I suggest you check out the Washington
Guild of Goldsmiths, Washington Guild of Goldsmiths |
I was just in DC & made a point to stop by the Renwick Museum, the
Smithsonian’s museum dedicated primarily to American Crafts. They’ve
got two craft-focused exhibitions right now, one of pieces in their
permanent collection & the “40 Under 40” show. Neither are focused
specifically on jewelery but have some excellent examples of
contemporary art jewelry-- there’s a Richard Mawsley piece that’s
just incredible. Admittedly, the 40 Under 40 show is much more
towards the “arty” end of things but has some really interesting
work, including a magnificent fully-functional spinning wheel made
of glass.
Other museums you might also consider include the Hillwood Museum
and Dumbarton Oaks Museum. The Hillwood focuses on Russian art
while Dumbarton Oaks focuses on Byzantine and pre-Columbian.
I seem to have missed the original post here, but I’d like to
contribute that BY FAR, the best place to go in Washington, D. C. is
the Smithsonian Institute’s Natural History Museum’s Hall of
Gemology, Gems, and Minerals. Google the “Hall of Gemology, Gems and
Minerals” for an introduction to it. When was I was growing up (long
long ago) in Washington, D. C., I often visited the museum and
particularly loved that Hall. Among famous, prominentgems, you can
see many minerals in their natural forms displayed along with their
cut and faceted gemstone forms. As I recall, the hall is darkened
except for the illuminated displays, which makes for more drama. (If
anyone has been there recently, could you verify my )
It has changed a great deal from the '50’s and 60’s when I first saw
it. They have kept many of the wonderful mineral specimens but, for
instance, have cut down on the jade specimens to one bracelet! There
used to be a whole room of jade carvings.
That is just an indication of the changes. A great deal of editing
has been done and the displays are much more dramatic. Still worth
hours of visiting, although I really missed the little opal lizard
with the ruby eyes!
My son lives in the D C rea and once a year I come to the states to
visit would like to get some names and contact info so I could meet
and talk in person next visit. Also will be traveling to Peru I’m
may any one there who speaks English? Please contact me would love
to learn more about the culture and techniques used there.