The Star of Asia. Dazzling gems fill the entrance area. The 330-carat Star of Asia Sapphire, for example, is a blue sapphire with strong, perfectly defined rays. If the prism of this stone were cut horizontally, each slice would contain a perfectly formed star. Some pieces in the collection also have wonderful historic qualities in addition to their rare beauty, like the magnificent tiara and necklace that were gifts from Emperor Napoleon to his wife, Marie Louise.
Gems are only a small part of the collection.
Beyond them await other treasures. Meteors that have bombarded the planet for millions of years may be found here, as well as strange and fascinating mineral formations from the bowels of Earth. There are also moon rocks collected during various Apollo missions, which are older than most rocks on Earth. The Minerals and Gem Gallery. Suzanne Woolsey, chief operating officer at the National Academy of Sciences, has a novel approach to the hall, suggesting people start at the exit.