Fabulous Diamonds Are Forever Exhibit Opens May 3 in Ventura

For the first time ever, replicas of the world's famous historical diamonds will be exhibited with their equally famous owners. Dispersed among the Figures will be the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope, the French Blue, the Orlov, the Beau Sancy and many more. Why Figures and diamonds? 

Connections 

Over the last four centuries, thousands of powerful rulers, clergy and rich have wielded great political power. George Stuart has spent a lifetime studying these characters, and bringing many to life as Historical Figures. Then he brings their personalities with his entertaining monologs. No one is as dedicated to representing so much of history in such a realistic way. Well, perhaps one other.

While assisting Mr. Stuart with research for a monolog in 2013, we encountered another artist doing great work in visualizing history. Scott Sucher of MuseumDiamonds.com sculpts, but not historical characters. Rather he researches, and then painstakingly cuts precise replicas of history's famous diamonds.

Scott Sucher, "Stone Cutter" Extraordinaire  

The two artists have much in common with each other and other no-nonsense historians. Each are exhaustive researchers and each make every effort to attain historical and visual accuracy. Interestingly, both have extracted resources from resources worldwide. They receive acclaim by their peers and appreciated of the public. Both have seen their work featured in major TV documentaries.

Louis XIV sporting the French Blue diamond.

What is truly amazing is that the works of Stuart and Sucher have crossed paths frequently on the historical timeline. For centuries,famous diamonds have been owned or controlled by the same characters Stuart has so carefully documented. His Historical Figures filled their treasuries, adorned their loved ones, bought, sold, stole, hocked, and gifted diamonds. They paid for wars, bought brides, pleased lovers and too often paid for wars, debts or ransoms.
The recorded history as well as many tales surrounding these events and transactions are mostly true, usually audacious, sometimes earth-shaking and always interesting.

The Exhibit

What Ariane Karakalos, Curator at the Museum of Ventura County is planning for the exhibit is spectacular, yet quite precise. Figures and full life-sized diamond replicas are grouped to tell stories. Most Figures will be adorned with quarter life size diamond replicas cut by Sucher and mounted in jewelry by Stuart. In all, about eight stories will be told.

There is Elizabeth I wearing the Mirror of Portugal diamond. How the Virgin Queen came to own several important diamonds from Portugal's royal jewels is a very interesting story.

How did the French Blue diamond become the Hope diamond, and end up in the Smithsonian? Three French rulers Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI all treasured the diamond, but fate was not kind.

French Blue Diamond - intriguing story spans 400 years.

Did a discarded lover of Catherine the Great really try to get back in her good graces by giving her the magnificent Orlov diamond that bears his name? Or, was he really on a secret mission for his empress?

What was Prince Albert's involvement with the splendid Koh-i-Noor diamond, that adorned his Queen Victoria and was displayed at the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace.

The balance of Sucher's magnificent collection, more than 30 historical diamond replicas in all will be exhibited for the first showing ever west of the Mississippi.

Beau Sancy Diamond worn by
Queen Marie de Medici.

If you just can't wait to read about historical diamonds, see Mary Harrsch's Passionate about History blog, GIA article or many dedicated websites and books.

The Presentations 

Where were these stupendous gems mined? How did they make their way to the palaces of Europe from the mines of India, Brazil and South Africa? How did diamond cutting techniques evolve over the centuries? All of these questions and more will be addressed in the exhibit and presentations by the artists and guest speakers.

Please see the Museum website for details.

Update: This exhibit is now closed.