American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

Tiffany: 150 Years of Gems and Jewelry (Exhibition)
birth: 1988 March 30
death: 1988 June 5
Exhibition. Opened March 30, 1988 and closed June 5, 1988. Located in Section 4, Floor 1 in Gallery 1 at the American Museum of Natural History. Tiffany: 150 Years of Gems and Jewelry, curated by Janet Zapata, Peter Schneirla, and George Harlow and organized by the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, demonstrated the evolution of Tiffany's jewelry design in the United States, and Tiffany's role as designer, manufacturer, and purveyor of jewelry. The exhibit focused on the shared history of Tiffany and the American Museum of Natural History through the work of gemologist George F. Kunz.
Summary
Tiffany: 150 Years of Gems and Jewelry, curated by art historian and Tiffany archivist Janet Zapata, Tiffany Group vice president and senior gemologist Peter Schneirla, and curator in the Museum's Department of Mineral Sciences George Harlow and organized by the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, demonstrated the evolution of Tiffany's jewelry design in the United States and its role as designer, manufacturer, and purveyor of jewelry. The exhibition focused on the shared history of Tiffany and the American Museum of Natural History through the work of gemologist George F. Kunz, honorary curator at the Museum and vice president at Tiffany. Museum trustee J.P. Morgan purchased two major collections assembled by Tiffany and George F. Kunz and donated them to the Museum. The exhibition was funded by both the Museum and Tiffany & Co. and was installed by the Museum's Department of Exhibition and Graphics (1, p. 1-3; 3, p. 60).
The exhibition focused on three main categories: American gemstones, artistic achievement, and wearable jewelry. Highlights from the exhibition included (1, p. 1-3; 2, p.1):
*The Tiffany Diamond, acquired by George Kunz
*A 10.2 carat blue sapphire from Yogo Gulch, MT
*Fire opals from Mexico
*A ring with a 13-carat emerald from North Carolina
*A chrysanthemum corsage brooch with petals of freshwater pearls from the Mississippi River
*Representative pieces of French Crown Jewels
*An enamel and diamond watch owned by Harry Houdini
*The Lincoln Pearl Necklace and bracelets owned by Mary Todd Lincoln
*Jan Hooker's Emerald, a 75-carat emerald brooch set with diamonds, once part of a belt buckle belonging to the Sultan of Turkey
*Botanically correct enameled orchids
This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.