Mr. Gary Roskin

Mr. Gary A. Roskin, a gemologist, author, journalist, and educator, is a recognized authority on the art and science of diamond  grading. Gary provides a wealth of knowledge as the creator and producer of the gemological information website http://www.roskingemnews.com and related e-newsletter, the Roskin Gem News Report.

Mr. Roskin’s presentation focused on the complete experience of being in the room at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History the night that the two blue diamonds, worth untold millions, were examined.

Evening with the Blues

The 31.06 carat Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond displays the same rare blue color as the Museum’s 45.52 carat Hope Diamond.

A Rare Encounter

The Two Blues

Smithsonian scientists and colleagues analyzed the two gems and explored the possibilities while the Wittelsbach-Graff was on loan to the Smithsonian this year.

Chip Clark

Chip Clark 2

The six-hour investigation of the HOPE and WITTLESBACH-GRAF diamonds, encompassed excitement, boredom, amazement, and sheer fun, by those involved.

The Hope Diamond

DCGIA members were able to re-live the night through Mr. Roskin’s vivid descriptions, images, and video.

Questions were answered:

Did both originate in India?
Did they come from the same mine centuries ago—perhaps from the same rough stone?
Was the Hope diamond a piece of the original French Blue Diamond?
Was Henry Philip Hope a jewel thief?
Was the Wittlesbach-Graf diamond a piece of the original French Blue Diamond and sister to the Hope Diamond?
Was the French Blue really stolen, or in a conspiracy of governments, sold by Louis XVI?

You can visit http://www.roskingemnews.com to find out some of these answers, in his Did you Know portal.

Roskin Gem News Report

You can visit the Hope Diamond every day except December 25th, from 10AM to 5:30PM, located in the Harry Winston Gallery of Gems and Minerals, at the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Gary Roskin & Brenda Forman

Meeting Summary by Charlie Marts

Photos of slides and people by Melanie Marts, GG