The exhibition "Precious stones": from the origins of the stone to the jewels

At the heart of the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle presents the exhibition Precious Stones. This exhibition invites us to discover the world of stones, creating a dialogue between mineralogy, gemology and jewellery. In collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels, she tells the story of stones, from the origins of the Earth to sumptuous jewelry creations. It also highlights the fascination we have always had for stones. An exhibition to discover until August 22, 2021.

"Each stone has its own soul" – Claude Arpels

At the heart of an unprecedented dialogue

The exhibition Precious Stones is the result of an exceptional collaboration between the National Museum of Natural History and the House of the jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels. This collaboration is perfectly illustrated in the curatorship with Didier Julien Laferrière and François Farges for the museum part, and for the jewelry part, Émilie Bérard and Lise Macdonald. Beyond this exchange between two worlds, the exhibition brings together mineralogy, gemology and jewellery. Obvious but rare encounters. Both aesthetically and scientifically, it showcases a dense, rich and exceptional collection: more than 500 minerals, gems and objets d'art from the Museum's collection, alongside more than 200 jewellery creations from Van Cleef & Arpels.

Showing these different exchanges becomes the common thread of the exhibition. Thus, the visitor discovers in the first showcase, the three different states of the ruby. From raw ruby to gem, ending in a jewel of high jewelry. The window gives us a glimpse of a sumptuous jewel, known as the Fuchsia clip signed Van Cleef & Arpels. Each of these elements is found side by side, without hierarchy.

Precious stones: a triptych exhibition

In a total immersion of the world of stones, the triptych exhibition Precious Stones tells us the multimillennial history of minerals. We are offered diamonds, rubies, emeralds, aquamarines, turquoise, citrine and so many other stones, which have aroused wonder and lust for centuries. Sometimes objects of seduction, sometimes instruments of power, stones become from the eighteenth century a subject of scientific research.

From the origins of the Earth to the formation of stone

Unfolding in three parts, the journey begins at the beginning, that is to say in the bowels of the Earth. Gemstones tells us the story of the earth, formed just over 4.56 billion years ago. The visitor then discovers a frieze from the origins by putting in parallel different specimens and precious stones. This first part explains how all these extremely varied minerals – meteorites, rocks, crystals, fossils – formed over time. It highlights the different stories about the techniques and know-how of Man, which have been perfected over the centuries in order to sublimate the brilliance of the stone.

Then, the visitor discovers the formation of stones, that is to say all the natural phenomena allowing the metamorphosis of stones, rocks and crystals. We understand how these phenomena – pressure, temperature, fluids, water, oxygen, life and metamorphism – impact stone formation.

Paris, a high place of knowledge

The third part is part of a historical, scientific and artistic dimension, making Paris a high place of knowledge. Indeed, Paris has not only made important advances, but also disseminated mineralogical knowledge to a wide audience. Examples include scientists, dealers, aesthetes, naturalists, collectors and famous cabinets of curiosities, craftsmen and artists.

This room also highlights the influence of the creation of the Jardin des Plantes by Louis XIII on Parisian fashion and garden or giardinetti jewelry. Jewels inspired by nature. All these influences can still be found today at the heart of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry. In addition, filmed interviews present recent scientific discoveries and advances in geosciences.

Discovering treasures

Restored treasures

The Precious Stones exhibition is also an opportunity to highlight incredible treasures. We can mention the table of the Orsini in stone marquetry which represents flowers and animals, or The Tourmaline Tree created by Jean Vendôme. For Nicolas Bos, president of Van Cleff & Arpels, this piece, which has been restored thanks to the initiative of this exhibition, is "a work of art at the crossroads of jewelry, design and sculpture ".

Reconstituted treasures

Some treasures are also visible thanks to the latest scientific advances. Thus, we can see thanks to a reconstruction of The Golden Fleece of Louis XV, made in 1749. It is an extraordinary jewel with in its center, the largest blue diamond ever cut. Stolen during the Revolution, the jewel has never been found. All that remains is the blue diamond, recut and exhibited at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, and a gouache, presented in the exhibition.

Treasures created

The visitor ends the exhibition with an exceptional piece, created especially for the exhibition. This piece is entitled Le Rocher aux merveilles by Van Cleef and Arpels. This unique creation, which required two full years of work, reveals all the know-how of the House. On a blue quartz rock, stands a 6.2 kilo lapis lazuli stone, like a steep mountain. In this game of chiaroscuro, shadows hide treasures while light sublimates a wonderful world between enchanted forest of crystals, fairies and unicorn.

A journey through an incredible scenography

Designed by Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku of the Jouin Manku agency, the scenography of Precious Stones is both contemporary and original. In semi-darkness, the exhibition immerses us inside a diamond prism. Indeed, walls, similar to the facets of the precious stone, punctuate the course. Each light is meticulously arranged, so as to highlight each stone. Between play of colors and play of lights, the atmosphere of the rooms is both dreamlike and magical.

Thus, about forty showcases create a permanent dialogue between minerals and jewelry. Dynamic and educational, the exhibition is extended thanks to the many tablets and explanatory videos.

Thus, Gemstones is an exceptional exhibition, both for its collaboration and for what it shows. Indeed, these prestigious art objects and stones are rarely visible to the public. They often remain out of sight in the Museum's reserves. The exhibition arouses both wonder and curiosity for the visitor who can either let himself be carried from window to window, or seek to unravel all the secrets of the stones.