Gems & Minerals

Exhibitions

Scanning Electron Microscope Lab

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

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Brilliance: The Art and Science of Rare Jewels

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Exhibition | NHM

Gem and Mineral Hall

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

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Stories

Aaron Celestian holding a reddish-brown stone with stripes of greenish iridescent stripes next to a closeup of the stone

On View: A Rare Australian Opal in NHM’s Gem and Mineral Hall

Meet a new dazzling black opal and discover the science behind the sparkle with Dr. Aaron Celestian

The Jonker Diamond: A Giant Gem of Many Facets

Explore the human and natural history of the Jonker I Diamond

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!

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.

Fascinating Facets: The Pink Starburst Diamond

The dazzling science behind this precious gem

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aaron celestian in gem lab gem and mineral council

Members Q&A with Dr. Aaron Celestian

Join Dr. Aaron Celestian, Associate Curator of Mineral Sciences, for an exploration of incredible research suggesting that life can persist even in the coldest environments, such as the icy moons around the Jovian planets, and how minerals are critical for life.

Video: Happy Hour with Dr. Aaron Celestian

Join Dr. Aaron Celestian for an exploration of his research suggesting that life can persist in the coldest environments and minerals are critical for life.

Members Q&A with Dr. Aaron Celestian

Discover life in crystals with Dr. Aaron Celestian, Associate Curator of Mineral Sciences.

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.

Hidden Gems

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

News & Press

NHM Scientists Discover First-Ever Mineral-Based Treatment for Widespread Disease Using the Structure of Crystals

Based on the structure of cubic zirconium silicate, the innovative treatment opens doors to future mineral-based treatments made possible by cutting-edge museum science

Exhibition features 30+ gemstones, including the world-famous Jonker I Diamond,
which has not been on public view in decades

Effort Connects More Than a Billion Objects in Scientific Collections Across 73 Museums in 28 Countries

Findings Shared in New Paper Published in Science Magazine on March 23, 2023

December 1, 2015—An orange-brown mineral named ophirite, described by a team lead by Dr. Anthony R. Kampf, Curator Emeritus of Mineralogy at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), has beendesignated the “Mineral of the Year” by the International Mineral Association.