group visits gem and mineral hall tour

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Gems & Minerals

Exhibitions

Mexican crazy lace agate

Gem and Mineral Hall

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

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Stories

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Jonker header on black bg

The Jonker Diamond: A Giant Gem of Many Facets

Explore the human and natural history of the Jonker I Diamond

L. atlantica 2 SEM image

Small Wonders

NHM’s new Scanning Electron Microscope Lab connects guests with big science and tiny specimens.

An opaque white and transparent mineral with many spiky outgrowths.

The Secret Power of Zeolite

Our Curator of Mineral Sciences, Aaron Celestian, talks about why this mineral blows his mind!

Cave of swords

Gypsum Crystals: Mineral Ships for Alien Life?

Can gypsum crystals hold alien life from Mars? Explore every facet of these incredible crystals with our Mineral Sciences Curator Aaron Celestian.

The Pink Starburst. Pink diamond.

Fascinating Facets: The Pink Starburst Diamond

The dazzling science behind this precious gem

celeste diamond square

The Science of Rare Jewels

Explore every facet of gems and jewelry at Brilliance: The Art and Science of Rare Jewels

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mesolite, radiating crystals

Mineral Sciences

The Mineral Sciences collections include minerals, rocks, meteorites, gems, and related synthetic materials. The mineral collection is world-wide in scope and boasts particular strengths in minerals from California, native gold, and gem crystals. The collections are being actively augmented principally through donations.

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Throughout the halls of the Natural History Museum there are hidden marvels that are actually right before your eyes.

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