Largest ever blue topaz gemstone given to London museum

Record ID: 85341

  • Title: Largest ever blue topaz gemstone given to London museum
  • Date: 27th September 2016
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (SEPTEMBER 27, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MAURICE OSTRO, CHAIRMAN OF OSTRO MINERALS, HOLDING THE BLUE TOPAZ "OSTRO STONE" WITH WHITE GLOVES AND POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS OF PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PHOTO OF OSTRO HOLDING BLUE TOPAZ (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRMAN OF OSTRO MINERALS, MAURICE OSTRO, SAYING: "The Ostro stone is an oval and it weighs 9,381 carats, that's two kilos or effectively two bags of sugar. Having tried to hold it for photography I can tell you it is very heavy. But what is amazing about this stone is not just its size, its...its quality, the colour, the intensity of the blue and the clarity of the stone are what makes it so exceptionally rare." NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM BUILDING UNION JACK FLAG ON TOP OF MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM BUILDING NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM LOGO IN FRONT OF BUILDING NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM SIGN MINERAL SECTION OF NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM SIGN READING (English): "MINERALS" (SOUNDBITE) (English) CURATOR OF MINERALS' COLLECTION AT NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, MIKE RUMSEY, SAYING: "I think it will tell us another bit of the natural story. So you start off with a rough mineral, which is all kind of interesting and I really like that as a scientist. And then we do things to it, we'll change it and we will cut it into something and this is really a fantastic example of the way in which we have crafted something out of nature." VARIOUS OF RUMSEY OPENING CABINET CONTAINING EXAMPLES OF TOPAZ STONES RUMSEY LOOKING INSIDE TOPAZ CABINET VARIOUS OF RUMSEY PLACING AND ADJUSTING A TOPAZ STONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) CURATOR OF MINERALS' COLLECTION AT NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, MIKE RUMSEY, SAYING: "Actually as a kid, what inspired me to be interested in minerals is actually their different and play of colour. And something that is a bright bright colour of this blue, it will actually bring people to come and have a look. And then maybe as they come in and look at all the rest of the collection they will see all the diversity of all the different minerals that exist on this planet, the different colour and form that they all have and 'OK, so this is a man-made version if you like or man-enhanced' but it is a great addition and a great way for people to see what nature can provide us as well." VARIOUS OF OSTRO STONE LYING ON A BLACK CUSHION AND GLINTING IN THE LIGHT (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRMAN OF OSTRO MINERALS, MAURICE OSTRO, SAYING: "I think it also, for me particularly and for our whole family, quite special that the recognition is there. My father actually did something quite remarkable in terms of developing the coloured stone industry and that story I'd like to share. People seeing the stone and the fruits of all his work is something that is very heart-warming to both myself and my children and my whole family." VARIOUS OF PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PICTURE OF OSTRO STONE PLACED NEXT TO A 10 PENCE AND 20 PENCE COIN TO SHOW HOW LARGE IT IS VARIOUS OF OSTRO STONE PLACED NEXT TO TWO COINS
  • Embargoed: 12th October 2016 15:59
  • Keywords: blue topaz gemstone Natural History Museum Britain London
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA00151CFP09
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: It's said to be the largest blue topaz gemstone ever mined and glitters a vivid electric blue in the light.
    Now it will be shown off to the world after three decades kept hidden away in a vault.
    The Ostro stone is an oval 9,381 carat blue topaz, equivalent in weight to two kilos or two bags of sugar.
    It's being given on permanent loan to a London museum by the family of gemstone pioneer Max Ostro who discovered the giant stone in Brazil in 1986.
    "What is amazing about this stone is not just its size, its.. its quality, the colour, the intensity of the blue and the clarity of the stone are what makes it so exceptionally rare," said Maurice Ostro, Chairman of Ostro Minerals and son of the man who discovered it.
    The stone has been kept locked away for the past few decades, but after the passing of his father, Maurice decided everyone should enjoy its beauty for free.
    It will be on permanent display in the prestigious Natural History Museum.
    "I think it will tell us another bit of the natural story," said Mike Rumsey, curator of the Minerals Gallery.
    "You start off with a rough mineral, which is all kind of interesting and I really like that as a scientist. And then we do things to it, we'll change it and we will cut it into something and this is really a fantastic example of the way in which we have crafted something out of nature," he said, explaining how he hopes the Ostro stone's carved and enhanced beauty will inspire visitors to learn more about rock formations.
    The museum has had to put in extra security to house the blue topaz.
    Neither the museum nor Ostro Minerals would put a price tag on the 15cm long, 10.5cm wide gem.
    But for the family of Max Ostro, whose team battled piranhas and disease in the Amazon Rainforest to get the rare stone, it will never be for sale.
    "My father actually did something quite remarkable in terms of developing the coloured stone industry and that's the story I'd like to share. People seeing the stone and the fruits of all his work is something that is very heart-warming to myself and my children and my whole family," said Maurice Ostro.
    The blue topaz will be on public view at the Natural History Museum from October 19.
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