DC visit, Part II

Carmen is on the mend, so I feel comfortable getting back to our DC trip. Thanks for the good wishes for her rapid recovery.





Today's installment is the gem and mineral exhibit at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Mom's favorite ;) First up, the minerals:








A sandstone concretion. Basically tiny quartz crystals congealed and cemented together bits of sand, to make this really cool natural sculpture. I'd love to have this in my living room.






A meteorite. It was discovered by someone in the 1700s in Arizona, and they used bits of it as an anvil. They didn't realize until the 1850s that it came from outer space.





And now for some gems:







My birthstone, the topaz. All 23,000 carats.








Topaz, part deux. This one was cut into a 1000+ facet globe. Kinda like a disco ball...





A ruby and diamond bracelet. Something tells me Mom wouldn't mind this for her birthday.


Sapphires galore.


The piece de resistance, the Hope diamond. Thanks Dad for being tall enough to get this picture! There was quite a crowd there. Isn't this beautiful?


We finished off by checking out the crystal ball. My dad was goofing around with the little girl on the other side. She was upside down in the crystal ball!