Beautiful Gems from Around the World Are Now in L.A.
Natural History Museum Unveils ‘Unearthed: Raw Beauty’ Exhibition
The Natural History Museum has unveiled its latest exhibition, “Unearthed: Raw Beauty,” showcasing rare and ancient minerals from around the globe. The gala opening featured canapés and wine, with remarks from Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President of the museum, as guests mingled among the impressive displays of precious gems, set against a backdrop of dinosaurs and dramatic lighting.
“The specimens presented are truly magnificent in scale and rarity within the world of minerals,” Dr. Bettison-Varga stated. “Large-scale minerals in their uncut, raw state are rarely displayed.”
This striking collection highlights the wonder of ancient stones, many of which date back long before human existence. Over time, numerous beautiful specimens have been re-purposed for everyday use; for instance, chunks of fluorite are transformed into toothpaste, red garnet becomes sandpaper, and halite is processed into table salt.
The exhibition offers a captivating experience. Visitors enter a dimly lit hall resembling a cave, where beams of light illuminate 80-million-year-old amethyst and animated projections evoke bubbling lava. Unique effects, such as the revival of an ancient sea creature’s shell through the Pepper’s ghost technique, further enhance the allure of the rocks, rendering gold and diamonds as mere supporting elements in comparison.
The museum has identified over 400 of the world’s 6,000 known minerals, contributing significantly to both scientific research and advancements in pharmaceuticals utilizing these precious resources.
An unusual highlight of the evening was a dessert display that cleverly mimicked a black lava rock outcrop, adorned with edible tourmaline gems. Created by Spanish artist Joanna Cuervo of Kometa, this artistic installation allowed guests to partake in the sweet experience using tiny shovels and hammers to dig into the dessert. The colorful gems were made from agar-agar and blue spirulina, while accompanying cakes were flavored with citrus olive oil and served with a mysterious "dark matter" dip.
Among the crowd, an artist managing a 10-foot tall Ammonoid rod puppet delightfully observed the guests indulging, exclaiming, “Are you all eating rocks over here?!”
“Unearthed: Raw Beauty” will remain open until April 18, 2027, at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, located at 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
