Ernesto Moreira, the Cuban-born jewelry designer, is currently generating huge excitement in Houston where his masterpieces are being displayed at the Museum of Natural Science.

The 36-year-old was commissioned by the museum to design a collection made from the museum's own mineral gems and visitors have been delighted by the spectacular end result. The jewelry has been stored in the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault in the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals and several celebrities have already taken a keen interest.

Famously, after the Platinum Guild International selected Moreira's designs for stylists before the Emmy Awards, quick-witted comedienne Joan Rivers wore his platinum Tahitian pearl and Russian diamond necklace.

The press were out in force for the controversial comic and the 73-year-old star was the centre of attention as she strode down the red carpet.

Another of the most striking pieces in the collection is the morganite platinum necklace, which has a 68.80-carat morganite center stone, 1.91 carats of pave diamonds, 2.88 carats of pear-shaped diamonds and 11.01 carats of pink, pear-shaped sapphires.

There is also an exquisite platinum brooch, with a 168-carat, yellow sapphire center stone, a 0.65-carat, yellow side stone, 3.46 carats of green diamonds and 2.92 carats of pave diamonds.