famed Kazanjian red diamond on display --first exhibition in U.S.

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                                                               Contact: Kristin Friedrich, (213) 763-3532, kfriedri@nhm.org

 

 

Famed Red Diamond on Display for Limited Time

Los Angeles’ Kazanjian Foundation Loans Natural History Museum Famed Gemstone Through February 1

 

Los Angeles — The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is proud to display the world’s most storied red diamond, the “Kazanjian Red,” for a limited time in its Gem and Mineral Hall. Though there are many diamonds with a pink hue, true blood-red diamonds are the rarest of gems — only three large stones are known to exist. And of that trio, none has as fascinating and exiting history as the Kazanjian Red.

 

Found around 1927 in the diamond fields of South Africa, the red diamond was a sensational discovery. During World War II, it was stolen in Arnhem during Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, and hidden in a salt mine with other looted treasures. When it was recovered by American soldiers, it was at first mistaken for a ruby. The diamond’s original owners did not survive the war and the gem was eventually sold. It passed through several hands, including those of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, until it was purchased by a private collector in 1970. There it remained hidden until 2007 when it was purchased by Los Angeles-based Kazanjian Bros. Inc. This is its first exhibition in the U.S.

 

Also on loan from the Kazanjian Foundation is a sparkling cache that has been dubbed the Hollywood Jewels Collection, now on display in the Hall of Gems and Minerals near the entrance to the Gem Vault. It includes treasures from old and new Hollywood: an emerald and diamond brooch once owned by Faye Dunaway; a bejeweled compact given to Carole Lombard by Clark Gable; the Edwardian era (ca. 1910) tiara worn by Madonna in her wedding to Guy Ritchie (beautiful, but perhaps not a good luck charm), and a gold and diamond collar necklace given to actress Terry Moore by Cary Grant, who once said that Grant gave her the gift in appreciation for letting him cry on her shoulder during his divorce.

 

Founded in 1918, Kazanjian Bros. Inc. is a family business that started in New York, established a Los Angeles salon in 1928, and moved to Beverly Hills in 1969. James Kazanjian's lifelong search for unusual and exquisite gems took him all over the world. During his worldwide travels, he was able to acquire jewels from the Maharajahs in India, the largest rubies and sapphires in the world, and other historical jewels from a variety of luminaries. Through the display and sale of private jewelry collections, the company’s Kazanjian Foundation raises funds for scholarship programs for underprivileged youths.

     The Kazanjian Red is an emerald-

     cut red diamond weighing 5.05

     carats. It’s thought to be the finest

     red diamond in the world.

 

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900 Exposition Boulevard. The Museum is open seven days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Admission is $9 for adults, $6.50 for students and seniors; and $2 for children 5-12. For 24-hour Museum information please call (213) 763-DINO or visit www.nhm.org.