Washington, DC jewelry attrctions

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.

Rick and Sue

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.

Paf Dvorak

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

Elaine

I am a local.

  1. Must must go hit the smithsonian natural history museum. Getting
    to check out the hope diamond alone is worth it.

  2. Where are you in the DC metro area? There are some areas in md
    and va and downtown DC so where you are matters

If you do not want to give to much detail on an open forum feel free
to direct message me

Eric

The Smithsonian natural history museum has gemstones and jewelry. I
LOVE the Indian Craft Shop:

The Indian Craft Shop
U. S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D. C.20240
(202) 208-4056
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7zui

They are a little known shop, and carry only items made on
reservations. Some great stuff, and often quite reasonable prices.

Beth Wicker
Three Cats and a Dog Design Studio

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 |

Try the Torpedo Factory In Alexandria. Lots of art jewelry created
there as well as plenty of other interesting studios.

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.

Here’s a link to the Museum’s website:

And the 40 Under 40 show:

Sharon,
Artist, Metalsmith, Chaos Magnet

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. 

Oh yes! Their collection is amazing, you must go!

Elaine
CreativeTextureTools.com

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 )

from Barbara H., northern California

re the Mineral Hall,

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!

Noralie Katsu

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.