The Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault completes the story begun by the world-renowned Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals.
The Museum acquired mineral “cutting rough” of precious gemstones freshly extracted from mines around the world for the showcase pieces on display. This ensured the very best natural stones were cut to our curators’ into faceted gems of exact specifications, then crafted into original works under the skilled hands of jewelry designers, including Ernesto Moreira.