Treasures in stone at Bait Al Baranda

Organised as part of the upcoming Muscat Festival 2008 cultural extravaganza, the display promises visitors an opportunity to delve into the amazing world of semi-precious and mineralic stones. “ ‘Amazing Stones’ — the theme of this exhibition — will be an educational journey for visitors keen to explore the diversity of stones that will be on show — a mix of gemstones, semi-precious stones, and other exceptionally beautiful stones,” said Malik al Hinai, Director of Bait Al Baranda.

“We are showcasing a wide collection of stones from Oman, as well as a selection drawn from the wider Gulf region, Madagascar, and elsewhere. Visitors will be introduced to a broad variety of exhibits, ranging from raw stones to those that are processed and transformed into exquisite products.” Bait Al Baranda — Muscat’s best-known interactive visitors’ centre located on the Muttrah seafront — is hosting the five-day display in coordination with Muscat Municipality. Also participating in the initiative is a Dubai-based company specialising in gemstones and other semi-precious stones.

An interesting highlight will be display of jewellery items studded with gemstones and semi-precious stones, created by a talented young Omani woman. “Visitors will be shown how raw stones are converted into beautiful items of jewellery. Bait Al Baranda is delighted to be able to showcase the special skills of this young jeweller.” Equally exciting will be selection of stones with therapeutic characteristics, as well as mineralic exhibits that are popular in spa treatments.

Al Hinai is confident that ‘Amazing Stones’ will also help spark interest in Oman’s potentially prolific mineralic resources associated with gemstones. According to researchers at Sultan Qaboos University, this wealth had been spawned by nature over millions of years when Oman was covered by a huge ocean or an ice sheet, or was baking under a blazing sun, allowing gemstones to grow in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic environments. The world-famous Oman Ophiolite is believed to contain a fascinating variety of gemstones.

Among the prized exhibits will be samples of retro petrified wood, which is usually formed when the layers of the tree are replaced with minerals over time (fossilisation). Dating back over 240 million years, the stone is sliced vertically and hand assembled to offer a striking perspective on its natural beauty. Visitors can also admire a collection of rare quartz based exhibits, notably the Picasso Quartz — an amalgamation of some of the finest semi-precious quartz based stones, including rose quartz, amethyst, rutile quartz, white quartz, clear quartz and hematite quartz. Dubbed the ‘universal quartz’, this blend of diverse quartzes is said to enhance its mineralic energy.

Also on display will be samples of retro tiger iron — semi precious stone formed naturally when golden tiger eye, red jasper and black hematite quartz blend together forming rippled, multi-hued patterns. Another exhibit that promises to intrigue and enchant in equal measure is labradorite, commonly known as Black Moon Stone, which originates from the Labrador Isles near Canada. The stone’s multi-coloured splendour attests to nature’s artistic mastery. The collection will also feature samples of Red Jasper, Desert Jasper, Classic Quartz, Emerald Cream, Carnelian, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, and Hematite Quartz, among other gemstones. Significantly, all of the exhibits will be offered for sale to the public.

An historical landmark in its own right, Bait Al Baranda makes for an apt setting for the ‘Amazing Stones’ exhibition. The display will complement the centre’s popular Geological Hall that provides visitors with fascinating insights into Oman’s and the wider region’s splendid geological heritage. “We would like Omanis, residents, schoolchildren and others to make the most of this exhibition, which is being presented for the first time in this format. Bait Al Baranda is also hoping to arrange for a prominent geologist, either from Petroleum Development Oman or Sultan Qaboos University to make brief presentations on the sidelines,” Al Hinai said. An official opening ceremony is slated for 10 am on January 26.