United States Geological Survey tracks the story of the Russian Crown jewels found in rare book

Art Daily Newsletter

This brooch was one of the four undocumented jewels. WASHINGTON, DC.- Four previously undiscovered photos of undocumented Russian Crown Jewels were recently discovered in the USGS library. The photos appear in a 1922 album called "Russian Diamond Fund," that was uncovered in the rare book room of the library. The four unique photos were originally part of the personal collection of George F. Kunz (1856-1932), a mineralogist and gemologist, gentleman explorer, and employee of the USGS and Tiffany & Co. These four photos are unique because they are not included in the official documentation of the Russian Crown Jewels, "Russia's Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones," published in 1925. The USGS also has a copy of this 1925 publication in Kunz's collection. "Russia's Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones" is considered the most complete inventory of the Russian ... More