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GIA Museum unveils 472-carat emerald crystal

March 17, 2009

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The 472-carat "El Itoco" emerald crystal recently discovered at the La Pita Mine in Colombia, is shown next to an 11-carat crystal, a more typical size for Colombia, and a 1-carat diamond. The emerald and diamond necklace was designed by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany and Co. Photo by Robert Weldon, courtesy of the GIA.

Carlsbad, Calif.--The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Museum will debut a recently discovered 472-carat emerald crystal from the Muzo region mines in Colombia.

The "El Itoco" crystal is a name from Muzo Indian lore, according to Ron Ringsrud, the emerald dealer who loaned it to the GIA Museum on behalf of its owner, Hernando Sanchez, emerald mine shareholder and Colombian emerald exporter.

"This is the first time any of the Colombian mine owners have displayed such a significant emerald at any museum worldwide," Ringsrud said in a media release. "This is by far the largest gem-quality crystal to have come out of this historical mining area in a long time."

According to the GIA, a gem-quality emerald crystal of this size is extremely rare. The four-inch hexagonal crystal possesses a color equivalent to the finest emeralds, according to Terri Ottaway, GIA Museum curator.

"To have the El Itoco in our museum for our students and the public to view is an extraordinary honor. Pieces of this size and quality are the stuff of legends. It generates what Colombian miners call 'green fever' in the imagination," she said.

The institute was chosen among some of the nation's most renowned museums to display this coveted piece, according to Ottaway. The El Itoco is displayed in a case that includes three other emerald crystals and an emerald and diamond necklace and earrings suite designed by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany and Co., circa 1960.

The El Itoco emerald crystal is on exhibit in the GIA Museum until early Fall 2009. GIA Museum exhibit viewings are free and available to the public through scheduled tours. Visitors must sign up for a tour by contacting guestservicesmailbox@gia.edu or by calling (800) 421-7250 ext. 4116. Outside of the United States, interested visitors can call (760) 603-4116 or visit GIA.edu for more information.
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