The 187-Carat Foxfire Diamond is So Big It has Its Own World Tour

By Geoff Nudelman Published March 22, 2017

FoxFire Diamond — Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are precious gems and then there are precious gems.

FoxFire Diamond — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The FoxFire Diamond, a whopping 187.63-carat rock, definitely falls in the latter category.

FoxFire Diamond — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The unbelievable find was discovered a few years ago in the Diavik diamond mine, buried deep beneath a frozen lake in Canada. Normally, the stone would have been destined for destruction as part of standard quarrying, but its unique shape saved it and catapulted it into global fanfare.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The fanfare has been so great that the Smithsonian extended the FoxFire’s stay in their Henry Winston Gallery through April 2, 2017. After that, the diamond will continue its tour around the world with dates and locations kept under wraps for now (we can only speculate that the secrecy is because of the value of the gem).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Beyond the sheer weight of it, the FoxFire has a special luminosity that only a gem of this size could obtain. It casts a glow that causes the diamond to appear as if it’s emitting light.

Recommended Videos

As for the mine, the Diavik produces about 6-7 million (!) carats of gem-quality diamonds annually, but it’s set to close sometime by 2024. It’s expected another stone of this quality will never be found there again before that time.

If you’re looking to try your hand at diamond mining a little closer to home, pay a visit to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. This 37.5 acre plowed field is the world’s only diamond-bearing site that is open to the public. In fact, for only $10, you can search the field for an entire day. And the best part? The park’s motto: finders, keepers.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff is a former contributor to The Manual. He's a native Oregonian who’s always up for a good challenge and a great hike…

Culture

Denis Villeneuve says he ‘absolutely believes’ in ‘Dune: Messiah’ as he develops the script

The exact timing for the potential trilogy capper remains under wraps.

Timothee Chalamet in Dune Part 2

Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Dune has been more successful than many who have loved the Frank Herbert novel for decades could have dreamed. Dune: Part 1 was nominated for a bunch of Oscars and won a couple, and Part 2 seems to be on a similar trajectory, and also far outgrossed the first installment.

Villeneuve has promised that he will return to the world of Dune one more time to adapt Herbert's sequel, Dune: Messiah, but we don't know exactly when that movie might be coming. In a recent interview with Deadline to discuss Part 2, Villeneuve was hesitant to say too much about the upcoming third installment.

Culture

Will Max’s new thriller Duster be your next must-watch show?

J.J. Abrams' newest thriller is coming soon

duster season 1 lost star josh holloway at the 64th annual golden globe

Max has become the home to some of the most fascinating and innovative shows on TV. Fans can trust that the HBO-affiliated streamer has tons of originals and plenty of old favorites from trusted creators, and that trend will continue with their newest offering titled Duster. This thriller comes from the mind of the esteemed J.J. Abrams and stars his fellow Lost alum, Josh Holloway, as a getaway driver who must use his skills for the good of the government when the first Black female FBI agent in American history asks him for her help (the agent will be played by Rachel Hilson). The show is a period piece taking place in the 1970s. It hasn't been revealed how any of the main events of the decade will be incorporated into the plot of the series.

Like a lot of shows that have been teased for the coming months, Duster doesn't have a lot of concrete details out in the open yet. The project has been ongoing for quite some time and was delayed during the Hollywood writers and actors strikes, but a recent teaser trailer has hinted that Duster should finally arrive at an unspecified point in 2025. Here is everything we know so far about Duster.
Who is starring in Duster on Max?

Culture

The first reactions to ‘A Complete Unknown’ call Timothee Chalamet’s Bob Dylan the ‘performance of the year’

Critics also praised the supporting performances from Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, and Edward Norton

timothee chalamet

There may be an Oscar in Timothee Chalamet's future, at least if the first reactions to A Complete Unknown are to be believed. Chalamet plays a young Bob Dylan in the film, which is set to hit theaters on Christmas Day. First reactions to the movie suggest that while the movie is strong, Chalamet's performance is utterly transformative. Here's what they say:

Gregory Ellwood of The Playlist said that while he's "not a fan of folk music and A Complete Unknown is superb and shockingly moving. Timothee is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is incredible. We need a Joan Baez spin off movie.”