Rare Natural Items in Israel Diamond Museum Exhibition

The Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum in Israel has opened an exhibition of gemstones and minerals containing 500 rare items gathered from 55 countries.

Among the unique pieces on display are a prehistoric insect, resembling a mosquito that became trapped in amber more than 20 million years ago. There’s also a two billion-year-old crystal from Namibia containing a droplet of water that moves freely within the stone.

Other highlights include the largest ruby in the world, mined in Kenya, which weighs in at 1,908 grams, and a 25 million-year-old red emerald embedded in stone known as the ‘Emerald Crystal Twins’ from Northern Afghanistan - a perfectly-formed crystal that sprouted a second perfect crystal.

Also on display is a fossilized tree trunk that grew calcite crystals - an extremely rare natural occurrence - weighing 5,112 grams.

The private collection, which belongs to Israeli couple Ben-Zion and Sarah Harel, was accumulated over a 30-year period and will form part of the permanent collection of the museum.

Ben-Zion Harel, an international gemstone dealer, founded and headed the Israel Emerald Cutters Association and was also a founding member of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).

The Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum, a subsidiary of the Israel Diamond Institute, is located within the Israeli diamond exchange complex.