General Info
Free with general admission or for Members
Join us to experience Unearthed: Raw Beauty, a one-of-a-kind exhibition featuring some of the largest and rarest mineral specimens ever to be displayed in their natural, uncut form, with some on view for the first time. The specimens, including many from our own collection, are truly magnificent in scale and create an otherworldly experience.
Through an immersive exhibition design, visitors will descend into a world of mystery and wonder to learn about the science behind minerals, crystals, gems, and rocks, emerging with a deeper understanding of the importance and prevalence of minerals in our world.
The amazing collection of all shapes, sizes, and colors of specimens includes everything from enormous crystals that are thicker than a tree trunk to a grouping of extremely rare blue cap tourmalines discovered near San Diego and reunited for the first time. The exhibition features a large collection of California’s mineral treasures, such as a bright pink kunzite, orange spessartine, deep blue benitoite (California’s state gemstone), and a natural gold “flame” (California’s state mineral).
Unearthed also includes other forms of minerals, such as exquisite carvings from China, beautiful jewelry created from rare minerals, a large fossil ammonite that magically comes to life, and massive touchable crystals—all surely to inspire guests’ appreciation for the natural world.
Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about Unearthed: Raw Beauty, as well as stories, videos, and programs related to the exhibition.
Sneak a Peek
Gina Cholick, 2025. Courtesy of NHMLAC.
Red ammolite (Alberta, Canada). The red ammolite on view in Unearthed: Raw Beauty changes colors depending on the viewer’s perspective. When light hits it at a particular angle, a select color will diffract out. It is photographed next to an iridescent Figeater Beetle, Cotinis mutabilis, from the NHMLAC Entomology Collections.
Gina Cholick, 2025. Courtesy of NHMLAC.
Amethyst Oscar and Amethyst Window (Artigas Department, Uruguay). The glittering white crystals in the centers are calcite, which formed after the initial amethyst geodes developed approximately 80 million years ago.
Gina Cholick, 2025. Courtesy of NHMLAC.
The “Chrysanthemum Stone” on view in Unearthed: Raw Beauty weighs over 900 lbs. Celestine crystals grew through the black shale rock, blooming in the shape of chrysanthemum flowers. Dr. Robert Lavinsky Collection.
Amethyst (purple quartz) with calcite
Aragonite
Gold
Tourmaline on quartz
Blue tourmaline with lepidolite
This exhibition was organized by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in collaboration with the Gallery of Natural Art.
Unearthed: Raw Beauty is made possible in part with support from The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
