Las Vegas: Luxor display a dazzling reminder of doomed Titanic

A priceless collection of jewelry salvaged from the wreckage of the luxury liner Titanic has been added to “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” at the Luxor in Las Vegas. The display, called “Jewels of Titanic” are to be shown through May 31.

A selection of 15 pieces -- studded with diamonds, sapphires, pearls and even gold nuggets -- are featured. Among them is a platinum ring set with three European-cut diamonds. The centerpiece is a 2-carat, pear-shaped stone.

The collection also showcases a charm necklace inscribed “This Be Your Lucky Star.”

The “Heart of the Ocean” necklace featured in James Cameron’s “Titanic” isn’t included -- because it isn’t real. It was the creation of Hollywood filmmakers.

The tale of the jewelry’s discovery, which forms part of the exhibit, is nearly as fascinating as the riches themselves.

As the order was given to abandon ship on April 15, 1912, the purser and his team removed from a safe the valuables belonging to wealthy, first-class passengers. They were placed into a special leather case known as a Gladstone bag.

The intention was to return the items to their owners once safely on shore.

The bag went down with the ship and wasn’t recovered until the 1987 expedition to the ocean floor. Its contents were remarkably intact, thanks to the leather tanning that repelled microorganisms.

Tickets to “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” cost $32 for adults and $24 for children ages 4-12. They’re available online or at the Luxor box office.

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