The Story of Gems and Minerals at NHM
How did the Museum acquire all of its gem and mineral specimens over time?
Download "95 Years of Gems & Minerals at NHM" (PDF) to read all about how this popular department has grown. Learn more >
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Adopt-A-Mineral Program
The Adopt-A-Mineral program, offered through the museum's Gem & Mineral Council and its Mineral Sciences Department, provides a unique opportunity for members of the public to directly promote the growth of the museum’s gem and mineral collections and at the same time to get their "name in lights." Here’s the way works:
A person or group can adopt one of the gems or minerals purchased for the museum with Gem & Mineral Council funds by making a contribution equivalent to the current estimated value of the specimen. In return, the adopted specimen will henceforth and always bear the donor’s name or designated credit line. Each specimen can only be adopted once and adoptions are permanent. The adopted specimen will be a permanent tribute to the donor’s generosity. Monies received for adoptions are restricted to the purchase of additional specimens for the museum’s gem and mineral collections.
Please consider adopting mineral and gem specimens to help us expand and improve our collections. For information about specimens available for adoption and their exact adoption costs contact Tony Kampf.