In the "It's a Tough Job But Somebody's Gotta Do It" category, a group of geologists who get to hang around and examine the Hope Diamond all day discovered that rare blue diamonds, such as the famous 45.52-carat one, each have unique "fingerprints" of red and blue phosphorescence that give them their special coloring. If you're into that kind of thing, read more about it here, but we think it probably requires a field trip down to the National Museum of Natural History to gaze upon it in person.

Gallery Openings:

>> Civilian Art Projects, home of the next DCist Exposed Photography Show, starts off 2008 with a new exhibit this Friday to show off some emerging artists. The main gallery holds Spaces Between Spaces, works on paper by four artists, including Baltimore's Seth Adelsberger, whose acrylic paintings use a fusion of contemporary styles. In the project space you'll find Weenus, a site-specific installation by Luke Wyatt. 7 to 9 p.m.

>> The galleries at 1515 14th Street NW open their doors Saturday for four new exhibits. At Hemphill Fine Arts you'll find two new shows: Joseph Mills presents a Dark World with his photomontages and graphic silkscreens, and John Alexander offers a 30-year retrospective of his work that tears apart political issues from all sides. Meanwhile, on the second floor, three galleries give you a twist on theme. G Fine Art offers a new perspective on Portraits with a group of contemporary photographers, while next door at Adamson Gallery, artist Lyle Ashton Harris pins up his own perspective on self-portraits and identity (pictured), transforming himself in each new image. If you haven't run into omnipresent art collector Philip Barlow yet, just step inside Curator's Office, where 15 well-regarded artists, like Robin Rose, Kathryn Cornelius, Colby Caldwell and Jeff Spaulding, show their unique "portraits" of one of D.C.'s most established arts patrons. All receptions are Saturday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., except Curator's Office, 6 to 8 p.m.

Image of work by Lyle Ashton Harris courtesy Adamson Gallery.

>> Down the street, Irvine Contemporary will also be holding an opening reception. In the front gallery see Reunion, a group show with Irvine-sponsored artists. We recommend going to check out the surreal, futuristic paintings of Oliver Vernon and stopping back next Saturday the 23rd between 4 and 6 p.m. for a screening of Paul D. Miller's (DJ Spooky) video, New York is Now. In the back gallery, Phil Nesmith reaches back in history, using photographic techniques from the Civil War era to capture images from today in Baghdad. Saturday, 6 to 8 p.m.

>> This is the second Friday of January, so head up to Bethesda for their monthly Art Walk. Print out a gallery map here, and be sure to stop by Fraser Gallery for the opening of Committed, a great title for a group show that explores the "obsessive nature of creativity." Expect thousands of circles (work by Fiona Ross pictured) and people touching things repeatedly. 6 to 9 p.m.

>> Former Fraser Gallery co-owner, blogger, and artist F. Lennox Campello opens a show he curated at R Street Gallery, which includes some big local names. Maggie Michael, Amy Lin, Jeffrey Cudlin, Andrew Wodzianski, John Blee, Steve Lapin, and Campello himself feature their work in Color Invitations. Meet them all at the artist reception next Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m. Ten percent of all sales will go to the Whitman-Walker Clinic.

Art Events:

>> Tonight attend a fundraiser for Capitol Movement, Inc., a non-profit that provides dance-oriented youth and senior outreach. Stop by Teatro Goldini at 1909 K Street NW, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for a cocktail hour and silent auction, which will support the 3rd Annual Capitol Movement Project Dance Concert in April. The proceeds from the concert go to scholarships, summer dance camps, mentoring, and other programs for disadvantaged youth.

>> On Saturday, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will hold an open house with a sampling of their upcoming winter/spring classes. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. see demonstrations and participate in activities from drumming to yoga to photography. At 4:30 p.m., the Chair of CHAW's Photography Department will discuss the medium in "History is Fiction Agreed Upon" ($10 and RSVP at 202-547-6839 for lecture). Afterwards, join the opening reception for Night and Day in their gallery space, from 5 to 7 p.m.

>> Next Wednesday, the Mid City Artists will host an discussion just to gab about art in D.C. Stop by to add your two cents or just to hear what local artists think of the scene, then check out their ongoing exhibit. 6 to 8 p.m. at Studio Gallery.

Art Notes:

• The Art League in Alexandria opens an exhibit with the paintings of Jill Banks this Sunday between 2 and 4 p.m.
• Del Ray Artisans Gallery offers the equivalent of that wall your roommate had with all the job rejection letters proudly displayed with Rejected/Accepted. Reception this Friday, 7 to 10 p.m.
• The League of Reston Artists opens Kickoff 2008! this Friday with a reception 6 to 11 p.m. at the University of Phoenix branch; see directions here.
• Duality Contemporary Art in Arlington hosts a closing reception for Natural Selection -- Art Inspired by Nature on Saturday, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center for their Second Thursday Art Night tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. for gallery viewing, refreshments, and mingling with the artists.

Image of Apotropaia No. 3 by Fiona Ross courtesy Fraser Gallery