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

Heavenly Vices Mother Father Spinner Necklace
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’

This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.

Interpol Stolen Works of Art Database, The Louvre Museum Graphic
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing

The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.

My Next Question webinar graphic
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your Business

Experts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: Introducing GIA Jewelry Services

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Seattle PD image of Menashe & Sons Jewelers following Aug. 14 smash-and-grab robbery
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs

The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.

Alison Lou Lumière Fine Collection On-Model
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and Resin

The “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.

DEBEERS_DAY4_DSC_1023-01_1872x1052.jpg
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond Jewelry

From sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.

Buddha Mama gold skull pave huggies
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted Halloween

Show off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.

Is This Love That I’m Feeling event imagery
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History Museum

The “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.

Stock image of person holding shopping bags
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence

Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.

Couture show
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to Watches

The company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.

The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewelry by Beth Bernstein
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide

“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.

Collage of bug jewelry
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful Jewelry

For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.

Gem Awards 2025 at Cipriani New York
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award Nominees

Notable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.

Graphic for Jewelers of America’s 2025 State of the Industry webinar
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry

Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.

Eriness One of One Collection Rings and Necklace
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ Collection

After experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.

Napoleon’s diamond brooch and a pearl and diamond hair ornament
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For Auction

It is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.

Marie Louise’s emerald necklace and earrings stolen in the heist at the Louvre Museum
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist

One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.

Holiday shoppers in Target
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate Jobs

The retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.

Hill Management Group
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry Show

Hill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.

Bonhams New Bond Street London flagship
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives Replaced

London-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.

De Beers Diamond View Zoom machine with monitor
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument Demo

The workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.

Two brooches stolen in the October 2025 heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene

The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.

Wyld Box Jewelry Ray of Light Large Drop Earrings
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ Earrings

Founder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock pendant
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, Kering

The luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.

Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches by Leon Schäfers, Jeanette Lang, Tobias Kargoll
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch History

The book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.

×

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