Sourcing

Yale Peabody Museum to Reopen Hall of Minerals

SourcingJul 08, 2024

Yale Peabody Museum to Reopen Hall of Minerals

The Connecticut museum will unveil the newly renovated galleries on July 9.

Yale Peabody Museum quartz sandstone concretion
More than 170 specimens, including the quartz sandstone concretion pictured above, will be on display in its upgraded Minerals, Earth, and Space halls, the museum said.
New Haven, Conn.—The Yale Peabody Museum in Connecticut is reopening its Minerals, Earth, and Space halls this week.

The galleries, newly upgraded as part of a museum-wide renovation, will become open to the public on July 9. 

More than 170 specimens, some of them the largest and rarest of their kind, the museum said, will be on display.

The David Friend Hall, which contains some of the museum’s mineral and gem displays, has been upgraded with new customized cases and LED lighting, as well as event seating for up to 125 people.

The new galleries will showcase free-standing, large-scale minerals—such as a 1,900-pound quartz crystal from Namibia—as well as small-scale specimens displayed in rotating visual cases.   

The David Friend Hall at the Yale Peabody Museum
The David Friend Hall at the Yale Peabody Museum contains this nearly 2,000-pound quartz crystal from Namibia.


Presented in a “frozen fireworks display” at the entrance is a 436-pound stibnite. 

It was donated by owner, founder and president of The Arkenstone, Robert Lavinsky, who also donated a large stibnite to an Arizona gem museum earlier this year. 

The Yampol Family and The Mineral Trust, who are among many donors and lenders who contributed to the project, loaned more than 200 specimens to the museum, including the “The Rocket,” the largest elbaite specimen recovered from a legendary Brazilian mine, according to the Peabody. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

In 2020, the Peabody began renovating the entire museum, expanding its total gallery space by 50 percent.

The first two floors, which included dinosaur exhibits, reopened in March, and additional galleries opened in April. This week’s opening of the Minerals, Earth and Space halls will be followed by the final reopening, the Hall of the Pacific, set to take place later this summer.

David Skelly, director of the Yale Peabody Museum, said he has seen “enormous anticipation” from visitors about the reopening of the gem and mineral collections and the David Friend Hall, which first opened in 2016 in time for the Peabody’s 150th anniversary. 

The museum said it demonstrated “what a contemporary museum experience could be,” and ultimately influenced the decision to renovate the entire museum. 

“David Friend Hall and the surrounding galleries exhibit some of the rarest and most extraordinary specimens in the world. This hall inspired us to rethink the entire museum when it first opened years ago. Now, with new exhibits and features, it looks more stunning than ever,” said Skelly.

Philanthropist David Friend had an interest in minerals since his childhood, which later sparked in him an interest in crystals, chemistry and other sciences. This led to an eventual career in engineering. He received his bachelor’s degree from Yale in 1969, double majoring in engineering and music. 

In 2014, Friend joined the 22-member Peabody Leadership Council, which the museum said provides philanthropic support and advocacy for the Peabody’s academic mission to advance knowledge and understanding of Earth’s history, life, and cultures.

“I envisioned a mineral gallery for Yale designed to inspire rather than lecture. So, we chose specimens that are jaw-droppingly beautiful, the room is subtly lit so that the specimens themselves shine, and there is a minimum of descriptive labelling. I want visitors to leave this hall overwhelmed by the beauty of what they have seen and anxious to go home and learn more, or even start collecting minerals themselves,” David Friend said. 

The Yale Peabody Museum gem hall
The upgraded galleries feature customized cases and new LED lighting.
 
The Peabody is home to one of the nation’s oldest collections of gems and minerals and the oldest meteorite collection in North America, the museum said. 

It contains nearly 100,000 mineral specimens and over 3,000 meteorites, along with some of the most significant private mineral collections in the United States, the museum said. 

The Peabody is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. 


The Latest

Sylvie Jewelry Auranova Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Pomellato Nudo toi et moi ring
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Deborah Meyers Experience The Birds Earrings
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ Earrings

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

ejap cohort 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (1).jpg
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Wolf CEO Simon Wolf
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. Expansion

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

Iowa jeweler Herman Ginsberg
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

gia1d100 btyb.jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

Charles & Colvard moissanite ring
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to Noncompliance

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

Mined + Found "Hope" Matchbox Locket
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So Charming

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Bulgari’s expanded factory in Valenza, Italy
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in Italy

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Jason McNary accepting FGI Fine Jewelry Rising Star award for Paola Sasplugas
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ Award

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

1999 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to Auction

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

Carmelo Anthony and Jaylen Brown David Yurman campaign
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen Brown

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

Woman wearing Zales jewelry
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine Jewelry

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

JAR Apricot Blossom bracelet
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry Collection

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of Mouth

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

Avi Levy
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth Officer

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

Scottsdale Fine Jewelers store exterior
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow Independent

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cartier Exhibition Installation at Victoria & Albert Museum
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

IJO Director Samantha Larson
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise Strategy

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.

Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host Convention

The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy