Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Another major renovation is planned at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

The beloved Gems & Minerals Hall is getting its largest glow-up in decades, thanks to a $30 million donation from longtime supporters Cathy and Peter Dea.

Their transformational gift will fund a 50% expansion and complete reimagining of the space, which will reopen as the Dea Family Gems & Minerals Hall.

Set to open in 2027, the new hall promises to deliver a fully immersive experience built around the theme “My World is Made of Minerals.”

Guests will be transported underground into realistic cave environments, interact with mine machinery, and explore glowing minerals under UV light, all while learning how minerals quietly shape everything from our bodies to our smartphones.

Expect dramatic environments, cutting-edge tech, and nearly 700 specimens on display, including the museum’s massive 10,588-carat Dali Topaz and a glowing “constellation” of 450+ minerals that light up based on their role in daily life.

While favorites like the Crystal Grotto and Sweet Home Mine will remain, everything else is being reimagined with new interactive elements, storytelling stations, and hands-on discovery zones that bring geology to life.

The museum will stay open during construction, with the current Gems Hall closing in 2026.

This isn’t just about rocks, it’s about reminding visitors that minerals build our world, support our health, and power the tech in our pockets. And it’s all happening right here in Colorado.

If you need your rock fix while the exhibit is closed, check out some local mineral dealers like @madeofminerals & @perssonrareminerals.