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.

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.

Established in 1978, the Coors Hall of Gems and Minerals remains one of the Museum’s top three favorite permanent exhibitions, and yet an incredible opportunity exists to transform this beloved treasure into a contemporary experience that kindles our community’s ongoing passion for nature and science for generations to come.

Timeline of Gems and Minerals
A rendering of the new Gems and Minerals Hall with people looking at collections

A Transformative Future

A Transformative Future Guided by our community, the new Gems and Minerals exhibition will be expanded by more than 50 percent to 9,600 square feet and will engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds through a holistic and integrated blend of breathtaking specimens, immersive environments, hands-on activities, and Colorado mineral stories.

A rendering of the new Gems and Minerals Hall with a large crystal in the forefront andpeople looking at collections

World-Class Mineral Specimens

The brilliance and hidden depths of the Museum’s world-class collection of gems and minerals will be on full display, accompanied by technology revealing mineral deposits from across the Rocky Mountains as well as compelling stories highlighting the region’s unique geology and robust mineral and mining community.

A rendering of the new Gems and Minerals Hall with a man looking at a large topography map

Interactive Exhibits

Through a variety of hands-on activities, guests will experience fluorescent minerals that glow under UV lighting, discover hidden mineral landscapes through cutting-edge microscope technology, explore the geology of the Rocky Mountains, and uncover the minerals needed for life on Earth.

A rendering of the new Gems and Minerals Hall with people in a cave-like environment

Immersive Environments

Visitors will encounter immersive underground environments inspired by the Cave of the Winds in Colorado Springs and the renowned Crystal Cave in Naica, Mexico, among others. Fluctuations in temperature from hot to cold environments, changes in lighting that create a dynamic ambience, distant rumbling echoing across chasms, and the sensation of a 3,000-foot descent into a modern mine will fill the senses, leaving an indelible impression on all who enter.