Crystal Ball in Hall of Gems & Minerals, NHB

Summary

Part of the mineral collection in the Hall of Gems and Minerals in the in the United States National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. In the center is the world's largest, flawless quartz sphere. It is 242,323 carats, weighs 106.75 lbs. (48.5 kg), and measures 12.9 inches (32.7 cm) in diameter. The sphere was cut and polished in China in 1923-1924, and the crystal from which it was cut may have come from Burma. The sphere was a gift of Mrs. Worcester Reed Warner in 1930.

Subject

• Warner, Mrs. Worcester Reed
• National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)
• Hall of Gems
• United States National Museum
• Natural History Building
• National Museum of Natural History (U.S.) Dept. of Mineral Sciences
• United States National Museum Dept. of Geology
• Hall of Gems and Minerals (Exhibition) (1958: United States National Museum)

Category

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Notes

Guide to the Smithsonian Institution, 1958, p. 48

Contained within

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 44, Folder: 18

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

pre 1958

Restrictions & Rights

No restrictions

Topic

• Quartz sphere
• Warner Quartz Sphere
• Geology
• Crystal Ball
• Gems
• Mineralogy
• Exhibitions
• Gifts
• Quartz crystals

Form/Genre

• Photographic print
• Exhibit

ID Number

SIA2009-2187 and 37 287 and 37287 and MNH-37287

Physical description

Color: Black and White; Size: 8w x 10h; Type of Image: Exhibit; Medium: Photographic print

Full Record

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