Diamonds at Chicago's Field Museum

Saw the new Diamond exhibit at the Field Museum today. A well-conceived and informative show for those who care about more than bling, this show includes geology, chemistry, mining, geography, and of course, jewelry. To bad it was so poorly lit, making it a trying experience for those who know who the lighting should work to show diamonds and their companion minerals to best advantage. And the absence of jewelry by noted designer Todd Reed, who brought raw diamonds to   national acceptance with his gorgeous, fabricated jewelry was an affront to this designer!  Stars of the show in the bling category were a 5+ carat pink diamond ring and a 3 -4  carat orange diamond, in addition to a 287 carat yellow diamond. Another fabulous piece by Jean Schlumberger (and one I've seen in many books) was a yellow and white diamond encrusted bird perched atop a vivd yellow rock in the form of a brooch. 
However, just as important, we had kimberlite and lapronite samples with embedded raw diamond , showing something of how they look in nature. Maps showing the worldwide distribution of diamond deposits, a film about how the Canadians found diamond deposits, some extries about diamond mythology (Adamas, a Hindu god, whom nothing could destroy) seems to be where we get the term "adamantine," when we describe the refractivity of some gems as being diamond-like. For 2,000 years, India was the world's primary source of diamonds (the Hope, the Kohinoor, for example) of exceptional quality.
There is so much to this gem, coming from hundreds of miles underground to glisten at us and bring lasting pleasure. More to follow.