Some of the world’s greatest pearls are on display for public view for the first and only time at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see extraordinary pearls such as the Pearl of Asia, which may be the world’s largest, and La Peregrina, which belongs to Elizabeth Taylor.

Few people – including the most prestigious pearl merchants and distinguished jewelry collectors – have ever had the opportunity to see such a collection of pearls so rare in size, shape, color and history.

The Smithsonian Institution, Paspaley Pearls and GIA created this special exhibit with generous support from Iridesse. It is on display from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., daily, until Sept. 5 in the Harry Winston Gallery in the National Museum of Natural History. Admission is free.

Visitors can also pick up GIA’s educational brochure at the exhibit.

For more information, visit www.gia.edu.