Trends

Wilensky Gallery to Host Fossil Art Exhibition

TrendsFeb 28, 2019

Wilensky Gallery to Host Fossil Art Exhibition

Starting in May, the New York gallery will display and sell several rare fossils from a prehistoric lake in Wyoming.

20190228_Wilensky-header.jpg
This is the Green River Stone Crocodile, a fossil of the Borealosuchus wilsoni crocodile from the Eocene period and one of the highlights of Wilensky Gallery’s upcoming exhibition. (Image courtesy of Wilensky Gallery and Green River Stone Company)

New York—This summer, one New York gallery will display and sell several rare fossils from a prehistoric lake in southwestern Wyoming.

During the early Eocene Epoch, some 50 million years ago, drainage from the newly created Rocky Mountains pooled in a basin in Southwestern Wyoming to form what geologists call Fossil Lake, a sub-tropical freshwater lake home to several plant and animal species.

The lake, now part of the Green River Formation, dried up millions of years ago and petrified, leaving a quarry of fossils telling the story of what life there used to be like.

The fossils are being removed by the Green River Stone Company, a leading expert in fossil preparation and preservation. This summer, approximately 25 will be on display in New York.

“Ancient Treasures: Fossils from The Eocene” will run at the Wilensky Gallery from May 9 to Aug. 3, highlighting important pieces from the Eocene Epoch’s natural creations in Wyoming.

The exhibition will include two rare and historic turtle fossils, one of which is from the hard-shell Baenidae family of cryptodiran turtles, which first appeared during the Jurassic period and became extinct during the Eocene.

The fossil is of Arenosa, the rarer of the two Baenidae species, and is one of only a handful of complete adult fossils found before.

Additionally, the gallery also will have the giant fossil soft-shell turtle Axestemys byssinus on display.

Less than 25 complete fossils of that turtle type have ever been found; this particular specimen is 95 percent complete.

Another notable piece is the Green River Crocodile. The Borealosuchus wilsoni crocodile measures 13 feet 5 inches long and is wall mounted to support its 1,000-pound weight.

The crocodile is articulated, which is rare for a large-bodied creature, and includes multiple sets of large and small teeth, perfectly arranged dorsal scutes, a protruding spine and partially exposed ribs.

“We are very excited to be the exclusive New York City gallery to display the very finest examples of the famous Green River Wyoming fossils,” said Stuart Wilensky, president of Wilensky Fine Minerals.

“The pieces that will be on display are our only view into life from Earth's past. Surrounded by these ancient extinct creatures is the closest we will ever get as humans to time travel. Staring into the face of a 50 million-year-old crocodile, or a giant turtle larger than most humans, is surreal.”

Every fossil on display will be available for purchase, offering a unique opportunity for collectors. Prices range from $5,000 to $1 million.

“Ancient Treasures: Fossils from The Eocene” runs from May 9 to Aug. 3, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wilensky Gallery (173 10th Avenue). The gallery will hold an opening event on Thursday, May 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information, contact the gallery at 646-822-0837, info@wilenskyminerals.com or visit WilenskyMinerals.com.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

CD Peacock Mansion in Oak Brook, Illinois
EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock Mansion

Step inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.

Xander Jane earrings
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl Studs

These punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.

Facets of Fire Pear and Marquise Diamonds
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise Diamonds

The company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

5 main.jpg
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry Catalog

Sponsored by Tasha R

Weekly QuizNov 21, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. pocket watch Captain Arthur Rostron
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2M

Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.

Harris Jewelry storefront
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund Requests

A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

Cynthia Erivo wearing Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo collection
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ Collection

Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.

Rocksbox San Francisco store
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San Francisco

The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.

Mary Moses Kinney
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team

Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.

Sotheby’s New York building
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax Fraud

The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.

Kering logo
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability Focus

The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.

Model wearing pieces from Camera Oscura collection
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New Collection

The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.

Columbia Gem House “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation Efforts

The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.

The jewelry symposium 2025
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship Applications

The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry Store

Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.

Tsar Ferdinand I Bulgaria colored diamond pin and emerald diamond ring
AuctionsNov 19, 2024
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry Sale

A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.

Trove NYC flagship exterior
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYC

The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.

Snoop Dogg and Carolyn Rafaelian
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love

“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.

Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s Rebrand

Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.

Andrea Jose jewelry
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry Week

The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.

Dolly Parton and Kendra Scott
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra Scott

The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.

IGI Expressions
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition Returns

This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.

New York Comic Con Javits Center crowd
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic Con

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.

Marie Lichtenberg and Raiz’in collection
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ Designs

The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.

Citizen 100th Anniversary Limited Edition #1 Pocket Watch
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket Watch

No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy