A rainbow signaling something extraordinary, bountiful treasure, and mysterious benefactors sharing their riches with the world; This might sound like the stuff of myths and fairy tales, but the truth of Somewhere in the Rainbow (SITR) is every bit as magical. This transcendent collection of gemstones and jewelry, assembled over more than a decade, flaunts storied gems, geological marvels, superb specimens, and one-of-a-kind jewelry by contemporary designers at the top of their craft. What’s more, this treasure trove is now on display at the University of Arizona’s new Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum.

In 2008, a Phoenix-area gem dealer made an unforgettable sale of three phenomenal gemstones: two large alexandrite, noted for their color-changing properties, and a 15-carat tanzanite. This marked the beginning of the collection, which has grown to include hundreds of gem specimens and unique finished jewelry works by modern designers. The pair of gem enthusiasts behind SITR are a husband and wife from Phoenix, Arizona who prefer to keep their identities private. What they aren’t keeping private is the SITR collection itself. With the help of collection manager, Shelly Sergent, the collection’s owners seek to share these jewels with the public, advancing gemstone education and enthusiasm. When asked about the collection, Sergent expressed, “SITR has a love of the lapidary arts and how it relates to gemstones personalities, and likewise how the designer interprets the gem for a finished piece.” A trusted partner since the beginning, Sergent connects with gem dealers and designers to continually expand the collection’s holdings and also works to share its exquisite cache of gems with the world through exhibitions in museums and trade fairs.

In the 1980’s Parisian jeweler Cristofol created this truly regal objet d’Art for the royal family. Known as “the Royal Tapestry”, it showcases 26,649 individual gemstones, including rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, as well as yellow, pink, and blue sapphires, in 18 karat gold prong settings. Five master jewelers spent a year and a half of hard work to complete this astonishing masterpiece, which measures 42 inches x 24 inches and weighs more than 40 pounds.

In 2015, SITR invited Adam to design for the collection for the first time and provided him with a magnificent 17.83 carat cuprian tourmaline. This fabulous gem proved to be an enticing muse. In order to highlight the tourmaline’s vivid green color, the necklace includes a collar of green titanium encircled with undulating curves and curls of white gold set sparkling with more than 1,000 pavé-set diamonds.

Honored with two AGTA Spectrum Awards during the 2020 competition, the Dark Knight ring is a celebration of color and Adam’s second contribution to the SITR collection. This stately gents ring features an enchanting 9.81 carat black opal set in 18 karat gold. A mosaic of custom-cut sapphire and tsavorite garnet baguettes set in platinum and a sprinkling of diamonds complete this handsome and enigmatic ring.

Keeping with their mission to enrich public gem education and interest, SITR has loaned the Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum a significant number of gemstones and jewelry works, which are on display and accessible to the public with regular museum entry.

The museum reopened in 2021 in the historic Pima County Courthouse, a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival-style structure. A part of the National Registry of Historical Places, the new museum might be the perfect setting in which to view the University of Arizona’s gem and mineral riches, especially given the collection’s noted focus on minerals from the Southwest and Mexico.

We encourage anyone in the area to see SITR’s stirring treasures first hand. Please note that pieces on display may rotate. If you’re interested in seeing a particular piece, please check with museum staff about what’s currently on display Please visit the museum’s website to answer questions or plan your visit.