The DC Traveler

The National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC has on display several of the world’s most famous rare gemstones, including the famous (and supposedly cursed) 45 carat Hope Diamond and the 330 carat Star of Asia Sapphire.

But one of the often overlooked gemstone is the vibrant 23 carat Burmese red ruby called the Carmen Lúcia ruby.

Rubies of this type are rarely over 20 carets and this one is one of the best examples in the world.

Donated to the Smithsonian by a wealthy businessman in memory of his wife, Carmen Lúcia, this rare stone is set in a platinum ring setting with diamonds.

Mined in the 1930s from the ruby mines of Burma (Union of Myanmar), the Carmen Lúcia ruby is on display as part of the permanent collection in the museum’s National Gem Collection and has been part of the collection since 2004.

Location
National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20560

Hours
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily

Tickets
Admission to all Smithsonian museums is free.

Nearest Metro subway station
Smithsonian Station (use the Mall exit) - Blue and Orange lines.

Photo credit: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Chip Clark

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