TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
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
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History MuseumThe “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate JobsThe retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
