For jewelry lovers planning a trip to Washington, DC, there's now one more reason to visit the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Just steps from the world-famous National Gem Collection, the museum has unveiled a sweeping new exhibition that celebrates America's natural treasures — including rare gemstones, precious metals, remarkable minerals and fascinating fossils from every corner of the country.
Unveiled on June 18, "From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage" is part of the Smithsonian's nationwide "Our Shared Future: 250" initiative commemorating the United States' 250th anniversary.
The 5,000-square-foot exhibition will remain on view through December 2029, giving visitors more than three years to explore an extraordinary collection of 648 specimens and cultural objects representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five US territories.
Drawn from the museum's astonishing collection of more than 148 million objects, the exhibition showcases everything from dazzling minerals and ancient fossils to cultural artifacts that reveal the deep connections between people and the landscapes they call home.
Among the highlights is a brilliant blue benitoite from California, one of the world's rarest gemstones. Even more remarkable, the specimen comes from the now-exhausted deposit that produced virtually all gem-quality benitoite ever discovered.
The exhibit also features lustrous freshwater pearls from Tennessee, the state's official gem, along with spectacular twinned gold crystals from Nevada and polished smithsonite from New Mexico's famed Kelly Mine, a material once prized by jewelers for decorative cabochons.
A special case devoted to official state symbols showcases 17 different rocks, gemstones and minerals representing 11 states, while another section explores the intersection of geology and culture through carved walrus ivory from Alaska and other objects that demonstrate how natural resources have shaped regional traditions.
Fossil lovers will also find plenty to admire. One particularly eye-catching specimen is a fossilized crocodilian egg from Wyoming that, over millions of years, transformed into a sparkling quartz geode. Elsewhere, iridescent ammonites, ancient corals and sea stars remind visitors that much of what is now the United States once lay beneath ancient seas.
"This exhibition brings the entire country into one gallery — letting visitors encounter the extraordinary breadth of America's natural and cultural heritage," said Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the National Museum of Natural History. "As the country marks its 250th anniversary, From These Lands presents an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our landscapes, the depth of our history and the connections that link people and the natural world across borders."
Co-curator Torben Rick emphasized the exhibition's broader message: "Natural history is everything — it is the people around us, the food we eat and the ground we walk on. At its core, this exhibition is about connection."
After touring From These Lands, visitors can simply walk next door to the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals to experience one of the world's greatest gem collections. There, perennial favorites, such as the legendary Hope Diamond, the spectacular Carmen Lúcia Ruby and the breathtaking Mackay Emerald Necklace, continue to captivate millions of visitors each year.
Together, the neighboring exhibitions offer an unforgettable journey through America's geological wonders and some of the world's most celebrated gemstones.
Credits: Photos by James D. Tiller, Smithsonian.