Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistorySourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard Museum
The exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
“The Soul of Flame II” brooch designed by Austy Lee is an 18-karat rose gold and red enamel butterfly set with unheated Mozambican rubies as well as fancy-color and white diamonds. It is the centerpiece of “Rubies,” a new exhibition on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
Cambridge, Mass.—An exhibition highlighting rubies is on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
“Rubies” features more than twenty pieces, including natural crystals from a dozen countries, as well as loose gemstones and finished jewelry.
Together, they tell the story of how the trace element chromium gives ruby its color and ability to fluoresce under ultraviolet light.
In marble-hosted deposits, such as those of Myanmar, low levels of iron allow the chromium to glow with intensity, while basalt-hosted deposits yield rubies with deeper, more subdued tones, the museum said.
Today, the most productive ruby source is in Mozambique.
The exhibition also shows how the stone’s inner world, such as inclusions, growth zoning, and rutile “silk” needles, can reveal where it formed.
Related stories will be right here …
“Rubies” features more than twenty pieces, including natural crystals from a dozen countries, as well as loose gemstones and finished jewelry.
Together, they tell the story of how the trace element chromium gives ruby its color and ability to fluoresce under ultraviolet light.
In marble-hosted deposits, such as those of Myanmar, low levels of iron allow the chromium to glow with intensity, while basalt-hosted deposits yield rubies with deeper, more subdued tones, the museum said.
Today, the most productive ruby source is in Mozambique.
The exhibition also shows how the stone’s inner world, such as inclusions, growth zoning, and rutile “silk” needles, can reveal where it formed.
The exhibition is a show about gemology, geology, and cultural history, the museum said.
The stone, the red variety of the mineral corundum, has long stood as a symbol of rarity, passion, and power.
The Hebrew Bible declared that “the price of wisdom is beyond rubies,” casting the gem as the ultimate measure of worth, representing both material wealth and human ideals, according to the museum.
Highlights of the exhibit include the show’s centerpiece, “The Soul of Flame II” brooch designed by Austy Lee (seen at the top of the article).
From the designer’s “Ikhor” collection, the butterfly jewel contains unheated Mozambican rubies as well as fancy-color and white diamonds in 18-karat rose gold with red enamel.
The museum noted that in ancient Greek, psyche means both “butterfly” and “soul.”
There are also star ruby rings, including a 13.55-carat and a 2.80-carat stone, showing asterism, an optical phenomenon where rutile inclusions create a six-rayed star pattern.
The exhibition also contains a pair of trapiche ruby earrings from Pakistan displaying the rare spoke-like growth pattern, as well as stones from Mogok Valley in Myanmar, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Tanzania, Nepal, Macedonia, Australia, Thailand, Kenya, Pakistan, and Propst Farm in North Carolina.
“Rubies” was curated by Raquel Alonso-Perez.
It is on display in the Earth & Planetary Sciences Gallery until at least Dec. 31, 2026.
The pieces on display were loaned by Pala International, Somewhere in the Rainbow, and a private donor.
The exhibit also features pieces from Harvard’s Mineralogical and Geological Museum collection, which includes more than 300,000 mineral specimens, according to a Harvard Gazette article.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
