New Gem & Mineral Gallery Combines Display & Technology

The gems that I use to create stunning jewelry can be equally stunning in their natural state.  The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, one of the world’s preeminent natural history museums, has just opened David Friend Hall, a state-of-the-art gem and mineral gallery that will showcase those natural pieces. The beauty offered in the new display appeals equally to experts on gems, rocks and minerals, and nature and arts lovers looking for unique natural sights.

The gallery integrates free-standing, large-scale minerals with small-scale specimens. It will utilize customized cases to showcase the uniqueness of each specimen. The hall’s custom lighting will further enhance the experience by highlighting each specimen’s natural — but often otherworldly — features.

This display features new approaches to learning that reduce the need for signage and wall text, and engage a broad audience through the latest technology.  Visitors learn about the gem and mineral specimens through cloud-based, open source software accessible via smart phone or tablet. As new information about the specimens becomes available, the learning tools can easily be updated to reflect these changes.

I can’t wait to explore the David Friend Hall!