Celebrate “The Wonderful World of Opals” at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

September 14th, 2017

(Albuquerque, NM)— Just one month remains to see The Wonderful World of Opals at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.  This one-of-a-kind exhibit disbands after October 15.  It features cut and uncut stones from around the world, including Australia, Mexico, Ethiopia and Peru and a one-of-a-kind rough opal specimen from Australia that weighs over 160 pounds. The exhibit includes set opal jewels from guest curator Katherine Jetter’s own collection. The Australian born, Santa Fe based internationally recognized jewel designer is a GIA graduate gemologist and a leading expert in the opal industry for more than a decade.

"This exceptional collection of opals was curated for this one-time only exhibit by a world leader in the opal industry,” said Margie Marino, director of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. “The Museum is grateful to all the miners and collectors who generously loaned their prize specimen for this Museum-produced exhibition.”

“We hope many more visitors will seize the opportunity during this last month of the exhibit to visit the Museum to see a whole opal in its raw state and examine how it is formed,” Marino said.

The October birthstone, The Wonderful World of Opals highlights the Opals and Other Minerals theme for $5 First Friday from 6:00-9:00PM, Friday October 6 (Fractal shows run until 10pm).

The entire museum is open on $5 First Friday, including the fractal shows, the observatory, the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club displays, demonstrations, and more.

Thursday, October 5^th, join Jayne Aubele, Geologist and Senior Educator, NMMNHS, for coffee, pastries, and an informal discussion about opals. Includes tour of the opal exhibit, from 9:30-11am.  $8 (10% discount for members.  Purchase tickets at NMnaturalhistory.org.

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About the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science: http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org. Established in 1986, the mission of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is to preserve and interpret the distinctive natural and scientific heritage of our state through extraordinary collections, research, exhibits and programs designed to ignite a passion for lifelong learning. The NMMNHS offers exhibits, exhibitions, programs, and workshops in Paleontology, Geoscience, Bioscience, Earth Science, Natural Science, Gemology, is the Southwest’s largest repository for dinosaur fossils, and includes a Planetarium and a DynaTheater. A division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the Museum is open 7 days a week, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. 1801 Mountain Road NW, northeast of Historic Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque, NM 87104, (505) 841-2800.  Events, news releases and images about activities at the Museum of Natural History and Science and other in divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org