Gift of Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collectors in 2022.
The pearls in the Baja Pearl Butterfly are rare natural black pearls from the Sea of Cortez. These extraordianry pearls were all acquired over a 30-year period from local fishermen up and down the Eastern Coast of Baja. The butterfly wings are accented with rainbow feldspar from Madagascar, emeralds from Colombia, and diamonds, all set in 18k yellow gold. The butterfly was created and designed by Elvis " Buzz" Gray and Bernadine Johnston. The Baja Butterfly is part of a collection of 18 jeweled butterfly brooches gifted to the National Gem Collection by the Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collectors.
