CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
SourcingFeb 09, 2016
“Cap” Beesley Goes Ivy League
Yale University has tapped the AGL founder to chair the advisory board overseeing a major expansion of the gem and mineral exhibit at the school’s historic Peabody Museum.
This massive green Chinese fluorite with quartz will be an important part of the new mineral exhibit at Yale University’s Peabody Museum of Natural History. It measures approximately 5 feet long and 4 feet high. (Photo credit: C.R. “Cap” Beesley)
New Haven, Conn.--Yale University has tapped C.R. “Cap” Beesley to chair the advisory board overseeing a major expansion of the gem and mineral exhibit at its historic Peabody Museum of Natural History.
A graduate gemologist who opened American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) in 1977, Beesley exited the lab when then-owners Collectors’ Universe decided to get out of the jewelry business and sold the lab to its current owner, Christopher Smith.
But, Beesley began working with the Peabody even before he left the lab he started.
He said he first became involved with the museum in 2004 or 2005, brought on board by well-known gem merchant and 1962 Yale graduate Benjamin Zucker.
Both have contributed much time and many gifts to the museum over the years.
Now, Beesley is chairing the museum’s Gem & Mineral Advisory Board, which is overseeing a major renovation and expansion of the Hall of Minerals, Earth and Space, which coincides with the museum’s 150th anniversary.
In doing so, he finds himself in some interesting company. Among those on the board is producer, director and 1989 Yale graduate Shawn Levy, whose credits include Night at the Museum and its sequels, and billionaire, Biosphere 2 founder and 1967 Yale graduate Ed Bass.
“I’m probably the only guy who’s not a Yalie on the board,” Beesley laughed.
Since his appointment as chair, Beesley has traveled to China to acquire what he described as “minerals on steroids” to add to the museum’s permanent collection--a 5-foot-long, 4-foot-high piece of lime-green fluorite and a chunk of aragonite that’s almost the same size.
They seem like fitting specimens for a university where mineralogist James Dwight Dana, who is considered the father of systemic mineral classification, attended school and once taught.
The renovated and expanded mineral exhibit at Yale’s Peabody Museum is slated to open in the fall and will be named for Boston-based entrepreneur and mineral collector David Friend (Yale ’69), who put $4 million behind the project.
Beesley said in addition to the outsized specimens he’s acquired, a 75-carat Burma sapphire, a 77-carat fancy intense yellow diamond and blue diamond necklace that’s in the Smithsonian’s collection are slated to be among the gemstones on display.
Those interested in making loans or donations to the hall can contact Beesley at capbeesley@yahoo.com.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
