ANNOUNCEMENTS: STOLEN SPECIMENS

Listed here are mostly thefts from institutions. More general announcements of stolen mineral specimens can be found on the following websites:
     Mindat: http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-56.html
     The Mineralogical Record: http://www.mineralogicalrecord.com/stolen.asp

Interpol / USNCB: Aurora Opal Collection

Mineralogical Museum, University of Munster: Samsonite
Use the link above to access a report in German from Mineralien Welt regarding the theft of several specimens of samsonite on Sunday, March 12, 2006, from the Mineralogical Museum of the University of Munster.

National Museum of Natural History, Malta: Moon Rock

The Natural History Museum, London: Kongsberg Silver

Museon (The Hague, Netherlands): Diamonds
Thieves make off with diamonds worth millions (AP news story)
Historic BMNH specimen among those stolen (report from Alan Hart)

California Academy of Sciences: Star ruby ring
Platinum ring set with 6 straight baguette diamonds weighing a total of approx .60 ct., 2 triangle-cut diamonds weighing about 0.10 ct., and 20 full cut diamonds weighing about 0.20 ct.  The center stone is an oval cabochon star ruby 12.5 x 8.8 x 8.0 mm, weighing about 8.8 cts.  The ruby is pinkish red with several surface fractures & heavily included.  The star is well centered but not distinct.
Contact: Jean F. DeMouthe

Colby College: Tourmaline specimens