Most large gem quality crystals end up being cut into faceted gems for jewellery, so it is rare for such a beauty as this to be rescued for the delectation of the public. One of the treasures of the Smithsonian was spared the usual fate for such wonders of nature, and donated to the museum by the jeweller Harry Winston (who also donated the Hope diamond). Originally mined in Colombia in 1967, it is named after the mining area whence it came. Unlike the more traditional mining areas such as Muzo or Chivor, Gachala was not exploited by the traditional peoples of the area before the conquest, but was only discovered in the mid 1950's. The crystal is reputed to be one of the finest on display in the world. The colour is a lovely deep summer grass green, and it weighs in at a whopping 172 grams (858 carats) for a size of 5x5cm. Emeralds from this area some 100km east of Bogota are often a lighter green, but they tend to contain smaller 'gardens' of inclusions within.