The world´s largest gem holdings
Programa Royal Collections boasts the world’s largest gem holdings, weighing over 500,000 carats. These holdings are broken down into several collections of different sizes, allowing for the creation of tailor-made exhibitions.
This cultural and scientific heritage is unique not only in its extraordinary volume, but also for its variety – it comprises all the gems known to man, from all corners of the globe. Moreover, it includes specimens which are exceptional in their size and purity. Many of them are considered to be veritable milestones in the history of gems and have been catalogued as the largest ever discovered.
The gem holdings are organized into three main collections or areas:
-Main collection Treasures of the Earth, a huge display of over 15,000 gems which brings together more than 250,000 carats.
-Special Exhibition Gems. This is a selection of 20 gems extraordinary in terms of their size and quality. They are true miracles of natural creation. This collection weighs in at 117,000 carats.
-The other holdings are pooled in various smaller collections. Some include all gem varieties, while others are monographic, specialising in a single gemstone or gem variety.
All the collections are rounded out with fun-based learning activities and informative material (audiovisuals, panels, handouts and information sheets, visitors’ guides, etc.) drawn up by specialists in different languages and levels of complexity.
© Programa Royal Collections. Agrupación Europea de Interés Económico 2009
