EditorsJun 04, 2021
Out & About: The Stories Behind These ‘Beautiful Creatures’ Events & AwardsJun 28, 2021
Univ. of Arizona’s New Gem Museum Opens with ‘Sneak Preview’ Tours
The two-hour immersive experience gives visitors the chance to see all three galleries before the official grand opening early next year.
The University of Arizona’s renovated gem and mineral museum offers a look at minerals from around the world, including the display seen here on famed Arizona locality Bisbee, where 330 mineral species have been found.
Tucson, Ariz.—Great news for those who have been eagerly following its development: the University of Arizona is opening its new gem and mineral museum for tours.
For a limited time, the Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, located in the Historic Pima County Courthouse in downtown Tucson, will offer “sneak preview” tours, two-hour immersive experiences guided and narrated by staff and docents.
They will give 20 visitors at a time the chance to see the museum’s three galleries before the official grand opening early next year.
The museum is named for the late Alfie Norville, a co-founder of the Gem and Jewelry Exchange (GJX) trade show that takes place every year in Tucson.
A gift from the Norville family made the relocation and renovation of the mineral museum possible.
Construction started in 2018.
Related stories will be right here …
For a limited time, the Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, located in the Historic Pima County Courthouse in downtown Tucson, will offer “sneak preview” tours, two-hour immersive experiences guided and narrated by staff and docents.
They will give 20 visitors at a time the chance to see the museum’s three galleries before the official grand opening early next year.
The museum is named for the late Alfie Norville, a co-founder of the Gem and Jewelry Exchange (GJX) trade show that takes place every year in Tucson.
A gift from the Norville family made the relocation and renovation of the mineral museum possible.
Construction started in 2018.
Displaying more than 2,200 specimens, the new museum’s three main galleries and showcases are dedicated to the evolution of minerals, minerals native to Arizona and Mexico, gemstones, jewelry, and gem science.
Notable pieces include a 400-pound malachite specimen from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; a 410-pound silver nugget found outside Globe, Arizona; a 210-pound azurite specimen from the late 1880s; the Wells Fargo Arizona Gold Collection; and a display of gem and mineral art pieces created by local artist Nicolai Medvedev, an award winner and master of the inlay technique called intarsia.
Sneak preview guided tour tickets are available for advance purchase on the museum website.
General admission tickets are expected to be available for purchase before the start of the University of Arizona’s fall semester in August, aligning with a “soft opening” to the public.
The official grand opening event for the museum will occur in 2022, coinciding with the Tucson gem and mineral shows.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
