The Jonker I Diamond is the centerpiece of the new exhibit opening at NHM. (photo courtesy of NHM)

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County presents “100 Carats: Icons of the Gem World,” inviting visitors into NHM’s renowned Hixon Gem Vault for a one-of-a-kind show opening on Dec. 8 featuring over two dozen gems, 20 of which are more than 100 carats.

“The collection presented within 100 Carats is unrivaled in both importance and rarity within the gem world,” said Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, president and director of NHMLAC. “Gems of such magnificent size and quality have never been displayed before in this quantity in one exhibition. This unique exhibition captures the brilliance of our mineral sciences collection and offers a breathtaking experience for our visitors this winter and beyond.”

The centerpiece of the exhibition is the Jonker I Diamond, the largest stone cut from the Jonker Diamond – the fourth largest diamond in the world when it was found in 1934 – and weighing 125 carats, which places it among the largest cut diamonds in the world. The historic gem has passed through the hands of royalty and Hollywood stars but has not been on display at a museum for more than eight decades. The public has not seen the diamond since it was bought by a private buyer in 1977. Owner Ibrahim Al-Rashid has loaned the Jonker I Diamond to NHM for display in the exhibition.

“The Jonker is one of the largest and most famous diamonds ever unearthed,” said Al-Rashid, who is also chairman of Miami-based Limestone Asset Management. “Its beauty and history are compelling. I’m grateful to have it on display for viewers to enjoy for the first time in many decades.”

The exhibition also includes a cornflower blue sapphire, a massive 241-carat emerald known as the “Crown of Colombia,” as well as jewelry from master jeweler Robert Procop. Each of the gemstones on display in the Hixon Gem Vault measures at least 100 carats in weight, creating an unbelievably rare and colorful assortment of world-class gems in size and quality.

Aside from their beauty and brilliance, the gems also tell the scientific story of the history of the planet. They provide an unparalleled glimpse into geological processes and circumstances that happened millions of years ago to form the gemstones and show how every gem is a minor geologic miracle. Their existence is evidence of massive mountain-building events, violent volcanic eruptions and the unforgiving pressures and temperatures of the Earth’s interior. Gems allow guests and scientists to better understand Earth’s dynamics and processes while illuminating the long and rich history of art and culture.

“The show is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Dr. Aaron Celestian, NHM’s curator of mineral sciences. “The rarity of these gems cannot be overstated. Visitors will be able to see tremendous examples of gemstones in a rainbow of vivid colors that have been expertly cut to display their remarkable brilliance. I am thrilled that we’ve been able to bring these giant gems together for the first time.”

NHM’s 6,000-square-foot Gem and Mineral Hall opened in 1978 and houses roughly 175,000 specimens, including extensive fine gem collections on display from sites around the world including Myanmar, South Africa, Colombia and Sri Lanka.

NHM is located at 900 Exposition Blvd. For information, visit nhm.org/100-carats.