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"A Treasure's Trove," A Fairy Tale of Hidden Jewels

By Carly Wickell, About.com

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In Search of the Treasure's Trove Jewels

The hummingbird's body is a South Sea pearl and is surrounded by hundreds of pave set diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

(c) Jewelry Designs

Find a Gold Token

What you'll actually find at each location is an 18K gold token that can be redeemed for a gem-studded version of one of the twelve missing creatures. The jewels have a combined value of over one-million dollars. Stadther chose Kashmir sapphires, Burmese rubies, all sorts of diamonds, garnets, amethysts, pearls and even tanzanite to adorn the creatures. Read the rules and regulations to find out if you are eligible to participate.

Nine of the twelve pieces were created by master jeweler Robert Underhill, who designed them in collaboration with Michael Stadther. The remaining three creatures were found by Stadther during his world travels. Jewels were appraised by Don Palmieri, GG, ASA, Master Gemologist Appraiser, and President of the Gemological Appraisal Association, Inc.

Some of the gold tokens have been found, including the Butterfly Token, which was hidden in the Nantahala National Forest in Murphy, North Carolina, in the knothole of a tree. The butterfly jewel appraised at $46,000.

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