The Aurora Butterfly of Peace
diamond collection is an artwork consisting of 240 natural,
fancy colored diamonds weighing a combined total of 167 carats (33 g). This
butterfly-shaped diamond
mosaic was created over a period of twelve years by Alan Bronstein and Harry Rodman. The diamonds were collected and assembled one stone at a time. The Aurora Butterfly of Peace was conceived by the artists as an
eternal icon of
love,
beauty,
energy,
nature,
peace. It symbolizes a spiritual connection to earth for all mankind.
From November 2004 through July 2005, the Butterfly of Peace was exhibited in the
National Gem Collection Gallery at the
Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, D.C.A smaller version of the Butterfly of Peace was displayed at the
Houston Museum of Natural Science from June 1994 through March 1996. The Aurora Butterfly of Peace was on display from May 25 to July 30, 2008 at the Museum of the
Gemological Institute of America (GIA), to help launch “The Facets of the GIA” exhibit, which showcases the prominent role of the Institute in the world of
gemology.
Two research studies involving the Butterfly of Peace have resulted in new scientific breakthroughs about
fluorescence and
phosphorescence in fancy colored diamonds. The amazing phenomena of fluorescence can be seen as a skeletal pattern of glowing colors when the diamonds are exposed to
ultraviolet light. There are rare and unusual color diamonds that make up the design including purples from
Russia, blues and oranges from
South Africa, lime greens from
Brazil, violets and dozens of pinks from the
Argyle Mine in
Australia.