Parthenon Marbles: Story of theft

Melina Mercouri in her tireless campaign for the return of the Parthenon marbles to their home in Athens addressed the British Authorities: “You must understand what the Parthenon Marbles mean to us. They are our pride. They are our sacrifices. They are the supreme symbol of nobility. They are a tribute to democratic philosophy. They are our aspiration and our name. They are the essence of Greekness”.

This is the meaning of the Greek treasures that were violently torn from the temple’s frieze by workers of Lord Elgin in 1802 when Greece was under Turkish occupation. The story of how these marbles were finally placed in the British Museum is long and painful. Even a short report suffices to show how they got there.

Cora Sun-Drop

The Cora Sun-Drop is among the most stunning diamonds in the world, so rare that it is almost impossibe to determine its value. Which is why no-one has even tried.
No wonder model Jerry Hall was bedazzled by the gem today as it arrived at London's Natural History Museum where it is to be displayed  in The Vault.
At 110-carats, the Cora Sun-Drop is roughly the size of a woman's thumb and is largest vivid yellow pear-shaped diamond known in the world.
It has been lent to the museum by leading US diamond manufacturer Cora International for display to visitors for a limited time from tomorrow.
Its unusual yellow colour stems from the very small percentage of nitrogen within the carbon structure of the stone.