Logan Sapphire

Logan Sapphire is a prominent sapphire named after John Logan, a Pittsburgh businessman who donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1960. The gemstone is considered one of the finest and largest sapphires in the world, with a rich history that spans over a century, involving notable figures such as Henry Morse, a Seymour Indiana jeweler, and George Kunz, a renowned gemstone expert who worked for Tiffany & Co.. The Logan Sapphire is often compared to other famous sapphires, including the Star of India, which is housed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The sapphire has been featured in various exhibitions at the National Museum of Natural History, alongside other notable gemstones such as the Hope Diamond and the Marie Antoinette Necklace.

Introduction

The Logan Sapphire is a 422.99-carat sapphire that is considered one of the most valuable and historic gemstones in the world. It is a cornflower blue sapphire that is renowned for its exceptional color and clarity, making it a prized possession of the Smithsonian Institution. The sapphire has been certified by the Gemological Institute of America and has been admired by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to the National Museum of Natural History in 1991. The Logan Sapphire is also compared to other famous sapphires, including the Stuart Sapphire, which is part of the British Crown Jewels and is housed in the Tower of London.

History

The Logan Sapphire has a rich and complex history that spans over a century, involving notable figures such as John Jacob Astor IV, a member of the wealthy Astor family, and J.P. Morgan, a financier and banker who was a prominent figure in the Gilded Age. The sapphire was mined in Sri Lanka and was initially owned by Ananda Coomaraswamy, a Sri Lankan philosopher and art historian who was a prominent figure in the Bengal Renaissance. The sapphire was later acquired by Henry Morse, who sold it to John Logan in 1952. The Logan Sapphire has been exhibited at various museums and exhibitions, including the World's Fair in 1964 and the Tiffany & Co. exhibition in 1989. The sapphire has also been featured in various publications, including National Geographic and The New York Times.

Characteristics

The Logan Sapphire is a 422.99-carat sapphire that is considered one of the largest and most valuable sapphires in the world. It is a cornflower blue sapphire that is renowned for its exceptional color and clarity, making it a prized possession of the Smithsonian Institution. The sapphire has a unique crystal structure that is characteristic of sapphires mined in Sri Lanka. The Logan Sapphire is also notable for its lack of inclusions, which makes it a highly valuable and sought-after gemstone. The sapphire has been certified by the Gemological Institute of America and has been admired by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to the National Museum of Natural History in 1991. The Logan Sapphire is compared to other famous sapphires, including the Orlov Diamond, which is housed at the Kremlin Diamond Fund in Moscow.

Provenance

The Logan Sapphire has a complex and well-documented provenance that spans over a century, involving notable figures such as John Jacob Astor IV and J.P. Morgan. The sapphire was mined in Sri Lanka and was initially owned by Ananda Coomaraswamy, who sold it to Henry Morse in 1907. The sapphire was later acquired by John Logan, who donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1960. The Logan Sapphire has been exhibited at various museums and exhibitions, including the World's Fair in 1964 and the Tiffany & Co. exhibition in 1989. The sapphire has also been featured in various publications, including National Geographic and The New York Times, and has been admired by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the National Museum of Natural History in 1979.

Exhibitions

The Logan Sapphire has been exhibited at various museums and exhibitions around the world, including the National Museum of Natural History, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Tiffany & Co. exhibition in 1989. The sapphire has also been featured in various publications, including National Geographic and The New York Times, and has been admired by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to the National Museum of Natural History in 1991. The Logan Sapphire is currently housed at the National Museum of Natural History, where it is displayed alongside other notable gemstones such as the Hope Diamond and the Marie Antoinette Necklace. The sapphire has also been exhibited at the British Museum in London and the Louvre in Paris, and has been featured in various documentaries, including BBC and PBS productions. Category:Gemstones