Gem and Mineral Hall

More than 2,000 minerals, rocks, meteorites, and gems from across the globe.

Mexican crazy lace agate

General Info

Free with Museum Admission
Free for Members

Explore the Gem and Mineral Hall

Wander among thousands of stunning specimens showcasing the beauty and diversity of Earth’s building blocks in one of the world’s most valuable collections of gems and minerals. Investigate how geologists find and classify rocks and minerals and marvel at over 300 pounds of gold—including the “Mojave Nugget,” the largest known nugget of California gold.

Couple pointing at mineral

Find your favorite mineral.

Red crystals

Marvel at exquisitely colored crystals.

Gold nuggets

You'll see real California gold—lots of it!

Children looking at minerals

Something for everyone to discover.

Green gem

See rare gems.

1 of 1

Find your favorite mineral.

Marvel at exquisitely colored crystals.

You'll see real California gold—lots of it!

Something for everyone to discover.

See rare gems.

While you're digging around, you'll:

  • Touch a meteorite billions of years old and a tree that has turned into stone.
  • Gaze upon rare and exquisite diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.
  • Learn why California is “The Golden State.”
SEM Diatoms
Scanning Electron Microscope Lab

See how big discoveries can come from the tiniest things in the Gem and Mineral Hall.

Look closer
blue benitoite gem
Hot Rocks and Natural Beauties
Dr. Anthony Kampf, the museum’s Curator Emeritus of Mineral Sciences, says his work with minerals like Benitoite can sometimes seem like an episode of the TV show CSI.
Read more
meteorite opalstones
Behold! These Are Really Old!
By far the oldest items in our collections: our many meteorites
Read more

More to Explore

See everything NHM has to offer