‘Topaz: A Spectrum in Stone’ Exhibit Set to Dazzle at the Perot Museum

 The Perot Museum of Nature and Science celebrates the breathtaking beauty of one of nature’s most captivating minerals in “Topaz: A Spectrum in Stone.” The Museum’s newest  exhibit features over 100 exquisite topaz specimens from every corner of the world. 

Showcasing an array of brilliant colors and varied sizes, this magnificent global collection is the first assembled by Museum Director of Gems and Minerals Caroline Im.

“Topaz: A Spectrum in Stone,” presented by Texas Counter Fitters, opens Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and runs through October 14, 2025, in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall.

The one-of-a-kind collection displays the spectacular scope of crystal structures and colored

stones within the topaz family, including:

● The Imperial Flame topaz: A magnificent 332-carat carving from Ouro Preto, carefully

carved over four weeks, recognized as the largest and finest stone of its caliber in the

world.

● A stupendous 9,630-carat marquise-cut gem from Brazil.

● The largest known “Lone Star Cut” in Texas topaz: a 234-carat gem featuring a five-point

star carved into the pavillion, or bottom, of the stone, reflecting the state symbol through

the gem.

● A 15-pound blue topaz from Brazil.

● Etched topaz showing intricate surface patterns due to the topaz being partially

dissolved in hydrothermal fluids.

The exhibit celebrates the global discoveries of topaz from Texas, across America and
worldwide including Pakistan, Argentina, Namibia, Brazil, Russia and many other countries. Like many of the gems and minerals at the Perot Museum, these specimens are on loan from
generous and renowned private collectors throughout the world, willing to share their
awe-inspiring specimens with the public.

There’s a selection of topaz crystals from Volyn, a renowned region in Ukraine, famous for its large caverns of massive topaz.

Blue topaz is the state gem of Texas and the Perot Museum is proud to highlight the Lone Star
State’s geological discoveries. A variety of other colors can be found across the Lone Star
State, including clear or white topaz–the most common color of the crystal.

Patrons can enjoy the great gamut of topaz specimens from around the world and admire their
natural brilliance at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The Museum recommends that
visitors plan their trip in advance due to the popularity of the collection. More details can be
found at perotmuseum.org.

Perot Museum - Lyda Hill Gems & Minerals Hall Welcomes Jewels and Treasures

 

The Shape of Matter: Through An Artist's Eye

Jewelry by Paula Crevoshay

October 21, 2021 - April 20, 2022

The works of internationally renowned jewelry designer Paula Crevoshay have captivated hearts for decades, from jewelry connoisseurs to celebrities and amateur gem buffs. On display are approximately 70 of her nature-inspired pieces, including a world museum debut, Sea Star. Paired with loose gems and minerals, all are displayed within their respective crystal systems. The exhibition illuminates the link between minerals, gems and jewelry while providing a path to learn more about intricate crystal structures. Come explore the art of the jewel and the science of crystal formation!

For more information and tickets:

Gems & Minerals Museum Dallas | Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas' Annual Awards Luncheon with Cynthia Nixon

Friday, March 23, 2018
12:00 pm

Hilton Anatole Hotel
Dallas, TX  75207

Co-Chairs:
Joyce Goss | Selwyn Rayzor

The 28th Dallas Annual Awards Luncheon is a signature event that directly supports Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas' healthcare and education services for women, men and young people in North and Central Texas.

Sponsor Levels range from $2,500 - $50,000

Individual Tickets are $250

Click here for tickets.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CYNTHIA NIXON

Cynthia Nixon, Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winner, is a star of stage, screen, and television. From her iconic role as “Miranda” in HBO’s Sex and the City, to her performances on Broadway in Rabbit Hole and The Little Foxes, to her critically acclaimed roles in recent films A Quiet Passion and James White, Cynthia is an artist of the highest order.

HONORING AWARD RECIPIENTS

The Gertrude Shelburne Humanitarian Award

LYDA HILL

Lyda Hill is a Dallas entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the only single woman to make the 2013 Philanthropy list of most generous donors. She currently serves as president of LH Holdings and is the namesake of the Lyda Hill Foundation, dedicated to making 

transformational advances in nature and science research and improving local communities.

In recent years, Miss Hill has focused her life sciences philanthropic efforts on game-changing advances including a $50 million pledge to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Moon Shots Program, a $20 million grant to her alma mater, The Hockaday School, to fund a STEM program, $3 million to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic, $25 million to UT Southwestern to start the Lyda Hill Bioinformatics department, as well as grants to fund efforts by the Nature Conservancy and Pew Charitable Trusts. Locally, she has been instrumental in the funding and development of Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, among others. For a complete list of Miss Hill’s affiliations and honors, please visit www.lydahillfoundation.org.

As part of her desire to leave a lasting mark on society, Miss Hill became a member of The Giving Pledge in 2010 and has pledged to donate the entirety of her wealth to charity. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the prestigious President’s Volunteer Action Award and an appointment on President Ronald Reagan’s Advisory Council on Private Sector Initiatives for her project, The Volunteer Connection, the Linz Award and the YPO Global Impact Award.

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THE GERTRUDE SHELBURNE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Dallas Leadership Council Founding Members:

Becca Delozier | Autumn East | Alex Kalebjian 

Soraya Quiroga | Anders Smith | Katie Tinch

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For more information or to reserve a sponsorship, email events@ppgt.org

Center for BrainHealth Legacy Award Dinner Celebrated Lyda Hill

On Tuesday, November 11, Veterans Day, the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas celebrated Lyda Hill and her dedication to America’s servicemen and women, presenting her with its highest honor, the Legacy Award. The BrainHealth Legacy Award recognizes the pioneering spirit of individuals whose vision and dedication to brain research enable the Center to explore the vast potential of the human mind.

Michael and Lindsey Wisenbaker

Dinner Chair Lynn McBee commenced the program describing Ms. Hill as “an individual who truly epitomizes the meaning of giving through serving those who have served”, saying to Ms. Hill, “You approach everything with gusto! And tonight we hope to show you the same gusto as we celebrate you and the lives you touch."

Lyda Hill, Legacy Award Dinner honoree, Lynn McBee, Legacy Award Dinner chairman

Sandra “Sandi” Chapman, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Director, Center for BrainHealth, Paul Stoffel, Gayle Stoffel

  After four of the Center’s veterans presented her with the gleaming crystal award, Ms. Hill explained that her nephew, Michael Wisenbaker, deserved a lot of the credit. An Air Force F-16 pilot and Iraq war veteran, he strongly urged her to find a solution to a truly underfunded challenge: the often overwhelming and unseen injuries of war that make the transition from military to civilian life difficult for veterans and military service members.

Ross Perot, Margot Perot, Betsy Waggoner, John Waggoner

Her quest led her to give $2 million to the Center for BrainHealth’s Brain Performance Institute to activate the Warrior Training Team, mobile units of clinicians and veterans who deliver effective, evidence-based programs that build brain resilience, achieve brain regeneration and reverse losses in cognitive function.

Debbie Francis, Advisory Board Chair, Center for BrainHealth, Jim Francis

“Lyda, having a warrior’s spirit herself, knew she had to do something…And that she has done”, said Dr. Sandra Chapman, BrainHealth Founder and Chief Director. “Lyda’s gift ignited the extension of our proven trainings to go well beyond our current Department of Defense funded research.”

Charles and Pat McEvoy

The Warrior Training Team has reached more than 500 warriors, including active duty elite special forces, veterans, and military spouses and caregivers, in Texas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho,Virginia and Washington, DC in the last year. Projections for next year are in the thousands.

Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones

“Thanks to Lyda’s gift, our brothers and sisters in arms are getting the opportunity to focus on training their brains with the same intensity that they do their bodies,” said Lt. Morgan Luttrell, US Navy SEAL (Retired). “The strategies I learned assisted me as a leader in the SEAL teams while at home training or deployed on combat missions around the world. Today I continue to apply the strategies and benefit as a husband, father, student, and an active member in society.”

 

The event was held at The Joule Hotel and was attended by approximately 250 guests, including many of our nation’s treasured veterans