Gems and Minerals Hall Renovation
A Classic Hall: Reimagined
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is embarking on one of the most ambitious renovations of a permanent exhibition in its history—an extraordinary effort to expand and reimagine its classic Gems and Minerals Hall.
Slated to begin in 2026, this transformative project will expand the hall by 50%, creating an immersive, multi-sensory experience inspired by our community’s desire to feel transported into an underground world. Visitors will explore minerals in their natural forms and uncover the essential role they play in our everyday lives through the big idea: “My World is Made of Minerals.”
This new, awe-inspiring experience will fuse the latest in groundbreaking exhibition design with a bold new approach to telling the story of Earth’s most precious stones and resources. Venturing into mysterious underground environments, visitors will marvel at the wonders of geological discovery and contemplate the rich and complex relationship between humans and the minerals that make up our world.
Originally opened to the public in 1982, the Coors Hall of Gems and Minerals remains one of the Museum’s top three most-loved permanent exhibitions. This renovation is a rare opportunity to honor that legacy while igniting a fresh spark of wonder, learning, and connection for generations to come. The new Dea Family Gems & Minerals Hall is planned to reopen in 2027.
Immersive Environments
Encounter awe-inspiring, immersive environments that transport guests underground to the caves and mines of the Rocky Mountain region and beyond. Fluctuations in temperature, changes in light creating dynamic ambience, distant rumbling echoing across chasms, and the sensation of a 3,000-foot descent into a modern mine will stimulate the senses, creating an unforgettable experience for all who enter.
Interactive Exhibits
Experience hands-on, dynamic, cutting-edge technologies that will activate the senses and inspire curiosity. Reveal geological conditions hidden miles underground, discover mesmerizing microscopic minerals, learn how your favorite mineral transforms into jewelry, unearth mineral deposits on an interactive map of the Rocky Mountains, and find the minerals needed to support your body, construct your home, and make your electronics.
World-class Collections
Discover the Museum’s spectacular collections of world-class gems and minerals, including new specimens never before seen on public display. Keep your eyes peeled throughout the exhibition for showstoppers like the Alma King, Campion Gold, Diane’s Pocket, and the Dali Topaz. Interact with large-scale, uncut, touchable minerals and become immersed in a stunning spectrum of fluorescent minerals.
FAQs
We are renovating the Gems and Minerals exhibition to reflect the vital role minerals play in our everyday lives — they support our health, build our world and make life as we know it possible. The reimagined space will feature dynamic, immersive environments and interactive exhibits that activate the senses through cutting-edge technology and design. Rooted in Colorado’s unique geology, the exhibition will celebrate the Rocky Mountains’ stunning and diverse mineral treasures that continue to shape our identity. As demand for minerals grows, the exhibition also highlights the importance of mining and the tradeoffs that come with it. Through this awe-inspiring, underground journey, we aim to spark curiosity and foster a deeper connection between our community and the natural world.
The new Gems and Minerals project concept design started in 2023, and final exhibit design intent and specimen casework design concluded in February 2025. Base building construction documents, content development, media design development and exhibit fabricator selection phases are set to occur in 2025. In 2026, the existing Gems and Minerals Hall will close for deinstallation, renovations and expansion and the Dea Family Gems and Minerals Hall is planning to open in 2027.
The renovation and expansion of the Gems & Minerals Hall is a $30 million project, made possible by a transformational gift from Cathy and Peter Dea, as well as the generous contributions of other supporters and donors. The Dea family’s lead gift has played a critical role in bringing this vision to life, and ongoing fundraising efforts are underway to ensure the successful completion of this exciting new Museum experience.
The new exhibition will be called the Dea Family Gems and Minerals Hall, named in honor of the generous, transformational gift from Cathy and Peter Dea. Their support is making the renovation and expansion of the hall possible, creating an immersive and interactive experience that will inspire visitors to explore the beauty, applications and science of minerals.
The beloved Crystal Grotto and Sweet Home Mine will remain as part of the reimagined Dea Family Gems and Minerals Hall. The rest of the space, however, will be completely transformed with all-new immersive environments, interactive experiences and dynamic displays that bring Colorado’s rich mineral stories to life in fresh and exciting ways. Additionally, while some specimens from the current exhibit will be removed, new and exciting specimens will be added to showcase a broader and more diverse collection of minerals, highlighting their significance in both nature and our daily lives.
Our Visionary Supporters
As part of the Gems & Minerals Capital Campaign, we are profoundly grateful to the generous donors whose transformational gifts of $250,000 and above are catalyzing the reimagination of one of our most iconic exhibitions.
Their support is helping to create a vibrant, immersive experience that will captivate and inspire visitors for generations to come.
Thank you for sharing our vision and making this bold transformation possible.
With heartfelt appreciation, we recognize the following donors:
- Cathy and Peter Dea
- The Anschutz Foundation
- David Liniger
- Don and Susie Law
- Kristin and Blair Richardson
- Schlessman Family Foundation
- Royal Gold, Inc.
- Glenn Tucker
- Alice Dodge Wallace
- Richard and Kathy Ambrose
- Rollie R. Kelley Family Foundation