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The Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History has an addition to its famous gem collection: a brooch made of 2,300 gems.
The "Royal Butterfly Brooch" was created in 2009 by Taiwanese jewelry artist Cindy Chao. She donated the piece to the museum, making it the first Taiwanese-designed item in the National Gem Collection.
The brooch is composed of 2,328 gems, totaling 77 carats. It includes colored and color-changing sapphires and diamonds, and rubies. The centerpieces of the butterfly's wings are four large-faceted diamond slices.
Curators say it sparkles in daylight, but under ultraviolet light in the dark, it glows. Chao put its value at $680,000.
The butterfly joins the Hope Diamond and Marie Antoinette earrings currently on display.
Where's Jimmy Hoffa? Everywhere And Nowhere
FBI agents believe they have a credible lead on the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa's body. If they're right, it will solve a longstanding mystery, which will also deflate Hoffa's resonance in popular culture.The Mystery Of the Ridiculously Pricey Bag Of Potatoes
Did a 10-pound bag of potatoes really cost $15 back in 2008? We get to the bottom of some puzzling numbers in the lawsuit alleging America's potato growers have become a spud cartel.House Passes Bill That Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks
The legislation is one of the most far-reaching abortion bills in decades and follows the May murder convictions of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell. The bill, which would ban nearly all abortions starting 20 weeks after fertilization, is unlikely to ever become law.Amazon Cuts Ties In Minnesota Ahead Of New Sales Tax
Amazon ends the contracts of people and businesses that are paid for sending customers to the retailer. The company has taken similar steps in other states that have passed laws like Minnesota's new sales tax legislation.Leave a Comment
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