703-Carat Tanzanite Carving by Naomi Sarna Achieves GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title

Art

Mar 29

HILLSBORO, Ore., March 28, 2024 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - Artist Naomi Sarna's L’Heure Bleu, a 703-carat tanzanite carving, has been officially recognized by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS as the world's largest cut tanzanite. The historic event took place at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon, on March 9, witnessed by a packed audience.

The certification process was overseen by Guinness World Records adjudicator Michael Empric, with Jessie English of J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders of Oregon Estate Jewelry serving as official witnesses. The Rice Museum's board president, Gail Copus Spann, and museum director, Kim Vagner, also attended the event.

Gail Copus Spann shared her excitement about the museum hosting the record-setting event, stating, “As the Director of the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals board, and long-time supporter of this wonderful ‘gem’ in Hillsboro, I couldn’t have been more delighted that we hosted Naomi Sarna on her adventure with Guinness World Records that was enjoyed by many attendees! We are lucky to have such talent grace our Museum’s doorstep.”

Sarna's journey with the L’Heure Bleu tanzanite began with an invitation to the Tanzanite mines at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, where she selected the crystal that would become the award-winning carving. In addition to her artistic achievements, Sarna has committed to donating the profits from the sale of L’Heure Bleu to the Casey Eye Institute to support eye care for the Maasai community in Tanzania.

Dr. Andreas K. Lauer, director of the Casey Eye Institute, expressed gratitude for Sarna's contribution, stating, “The Casey Eye Institute is in Naomi’s debt. In the future, patients, their families and the Maasai community will feel her passion and love as they express it through their smiles and joy from improved vision.”

Sarna reflected on the significance of the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS recognition, saying, “The Guinness World Records brings international recognition and attention to my tanzanite carving L'Heure Bleu. This recognition gives great strength to my promise to help the Maasai with their vision difficulties. This is the cornerstone for our future hopes to provide eye care to the Maasai in Tanzania.”

The L’Heure Bleu carving, which also won a First-Place Spectrum Award from the American Gem Trade Association, is celebrated not only for its artistic merit but also for Sarna's dedication to humanitarian efforts.

For more information, visit www.naomisarna.com.

Source: Naomi Sarna Designs via Newswire