Lester And Sue Smith Gem Vault

Today is the Ninth Day of HMNS! In the spirit of the classic holiday carol, we’re taking 12 days to feature 12 different videos that preview or go behind-the-scenes of a holiday museum activity, here on the blog (or, you can get a sneak peek at all the videos on 12days.hmns.org – we won’t tell).

For today’s video, we visited the workshop of Ernesto Moreira – one of the talented designers who created jeweled masterpieces for the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault in the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals. He told us about the intricate process of creating these stunning works – and let us get a peek into how jewels like those on display go from stone to setting.

Click play to check it out! And then come by the Museum to see his work on display in the Gem Vault – we’re open Christmas Day!

Need to catch up?

The First Day of HMNS – Explore: Snow Science
The Second Day of HMNS – Preview: The Chronicles of Narnia Exhibition
The Third Day of HMNS – Preview: Disney’s A Christmas Carol
The Fourth Day of HMNS – Investigate: The Star of Bethlehem
The Fifth Day of HMNS – Shop: The Perfect Gift
The Sixth Day of HMNS – Marvel: Faberge
The Seventh Day of HMNS – Glimpse: Spirits & Headhunters
The Eighth Day of HMNS – Behind the Scenes: HMNS Greenhouses

Get into the holiday spirit! Visit our 12 Days of HMNS web site to see the videos and get more information about each event, exhibit and film: 12days.hmns.org

Happy Holidays!

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is known all over the world for our spectacular collection of minerals – the Dragon, the Alma Queen, the little pink snowball (OK, that one isn’t particularly famous as far as I know – it just happens to be my favorite.) It’s an incredibly vibrant display of the wonders nature is capable of.

In 2006, we upped the ante with the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault. Meant to augment the already stellar collection of natural mineral crystals, the Gem Vault presents cut minerals – gemstones – some of which are simply enormous examples of the finest gems from around the world while others are set in spectacular jewelry. All are presented in an actual vault environment, lit so that they appear to be floating mid-air.

In short – it’s magnificent, and not to be missed. In the video below, HMNS President and Curator of Gems and Minerals Joel A. Bartsch takes us through the Vault – from the inspiration for creating this marvelous exhibit to the fascinating stories behind the pieces on display.

The Smith Gem Vault is just one of the fun and fascinating options for families at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. In a take-off of everyone’s favorite holiday classic, The 12 Days of Christmas, we’ve got 12 ideas for fabulous family fun this holiday and we’ll be sharing the possibilities here every day until Christmas Eve. Best of all, most are activities that last past the holiday season – some, year round. You can also check them all out now at the spiffy new 12 Days of HMNS web site.

Check out the first eight days of HMNS:
On the first day of HMNS, explore The Birth of Christianity.
On the second day of HMNS, shop for Sci-tastic gifts.
On the third day of HMNS, meet Prancer the reindeer.
On the fourth day of HMNS, discover the making of The Star of Bethlehem.
On the fifth day, move it, move it with Madagascar 2 in the Wortham IMAX Theatre.
On the sixth day, hunt dinosaurs with Dr. Bob Bakker.
On the seventh day, look inside the human body in BODY WORLDS 2.
On the eighth day, meet the HMNS Entomologists.