The Grand Reveal

If there was ever a reason to celebrate jewels in their pure form (dare we say, “uncut jahms”?), it was the reopening of the Museum of Natural History’s Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. After a four-year renovation, the unveiling coincided with the museum’s 150th anniversary and was christened with an exhibition of more than 100 animal-themed bijoux made during those years. The festive mood remains, thanks to the permanent display of icons like the Star of India sapphire and the 632-carat Patricia Emerald alongside never-before-seen specimens like the Subway Garnet (a 9-pound stone found under 35th Street in 1885). If one gem brings joy, imagine what 5,000 of them can do.