Van Cleef & Arpels "Lunar Landing" Pendant On View At the Forbes Galleries in New York

Van Cleef & Arpels "Lunar Landing" Pendant on Display at the Forbes Galleries. Photo Copyright 2013 Forbes. This golden depiction of a portion of the surface of Earth's moon is pocked with miniaturized craters and chasms, with one "fresh" ruby meteorite embedded in its surface. Made in 1969 by Van Cleef & Arpels, this "Lunar Landing" pendant is currently on view at the Forbes Galleries in New York City. Out of This World! Jewelry in the Space Age, which runs until September 7, 2013, seeks to explore "the complex and aesthetically inspiring relationship between outer space and jewelry" {cited}, by showcasing "beautiful and whimsical jewels" {cited} which reflect the impact of space exploration, as well as the mystery and thrill of discovery inherent in that exploration. The "Lunar Landing" pendant commemorates the first Apollo moon landing, when Neil Armstrong made his first impressions in moon dust. Several other commemorative pieces are on display, including three 18k gold replicas of the actual Lunar Landing Module. The scope of the exhibit is far grander than commemorating historical events in space. Tracing the evolution of space jewelry from the Georgian to the Modern eras, over 100 designers are represented in the show. Every aspect of space is covered, with jewels inspired by celestial bodies and spacecraft, jewels made from materials created for space travel, and jewels made from meteorites and materials brought back from space missions. There are also pieces on display that have taken a shuttle ride through space. Out of this World! Jewelry in the Space Age promises to have appeal to jewelry, science, and space enthusiasts. As Managing Director Bonnie Kirschstein relates, "The way have influenced each other throughout the years is interesting and has inspired so much creative and thought-provoking design. It is in our nature to be curious about the world beyond our own, giving this exhibition a universal draw." {cited} Visitors are invited to view the exhibition for free Tuesday through Saturday from 10am until 4pm. The museum is located at 60 Fifth Avenue in New York City. You will find more information and directions at the Forbes Galleries website.