Diamonds in Quebec

La plume de Cyrano
Diamonds International Award 1998
348 pear and round brilliant-cut diamonds
weighing a total of 37.53 carats; 18K yellow gold,
platinum and nylon-coated stainless steel wire.
Designed by Annick Lucier

If a trip to Quebec City is in your immediate future, then don't miss the glittering Diamonds exhibition at the Musee de la civilisation. This rotating exhibition runs through January 6, 2002 and features priceless objects from around the world, and famous historic jewels that once belonged to kings, queens, diamond cutters and prestigious collectors. This impressive exhibition features 400 objects including precious stones, jewelry and geological specimens; and it's aptly billed as the "most comprehensive exhibit on the subject ever presented in North America".

Throughout the seven-section exhibit, visitors can admire unique jewels such as the engagement ring offered by Maximilian I of Austria to his fiancee Marie de Bourgogne in 1477. Other featured pieces include the 23 carat Williamson diamond and the 10 carat Eureka diamond. Visitors can also view the creations of famous diamond cutters, such as Cartier, Fabrege, Tiffany and Birks.

Many of the objects on display are simply stunning, such as the 82 carat Isabelle W black diamond. And don't miss the 67 carat Brinkhaus necklace or the 62 carat Errington blue diamond. And then there's the Tiara of Pope Gregoire XVI (to be presented this fall) which contains a sparkling array of 16,000 diamonds and precious stones. It's truly a breathtaking exhibition.

But Diamonds is far more than just a display of jewels and precious stones. It also features a highly detailed and easy-to-understand exhibit that explores the geological formation of this precious stone. The exhibit shows how diamonds are formed at the center of the earth, what they are made of, how they rise to the surface, and how they are extracted. It also explains how synthetic diamonds are manufactured, and shows visitors how to tell the difference between synthetic diamonds and the real thing.

Butterfly hair ornament
Platinum, diamonds, rubies The wings are set
"en tremblant," to suggest flight.
Neil Lane Collection, Los Angeles

So don't miss this unique exhibition at the Musee de la civilisation. The museum also features permanent exhibitions of historical, unusual and sometimes controversial subjects. The Musee de la civilisation offers barrier-free access throughout. For more information call (418) 643-2158 or visit www.mcq.org.

The Musee de la civilisation is located at 85 rue Dalhousie in Quebec City. For more information about access to other touristic venues in historic Quebec City, check out the Summer 2001 issue of Emerging Horizons.