Last Chance To See Museum Of Natural History's 12-Foot Geode

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — If you haven't checked out the new 12-foot amethyst geode at the American Museum of Natural History, you better go soon. The museum recently announced that the geological wonder will be placed in storage on Tuesday, March 20, and won't return to the museum until next year.

The geode discovered in Uruguay is one of the tallest in the world, and will one day serve as one of the main attractions for the new Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. Work is already started on the new hall, which is expected to open in 2019 for the museum's 150th anniversary celebration.

The 12-foot crystallized structure is currently on display in the museum's Grand Gallery. Visitors can see the geode with general admission to the museum. Suggested admission is $23 for adults, $18 for seniors and students and $13 for children under the age of 12.

The new Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals was announced in October 2017. The space was previously known as the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems and Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals.
"Our new exhibits will allow us to tell how the story of minerals is linked with their natural environment and biology on the one hand and with culture and technology on the other," George E. Harlow, curator in the museum’s division of physical sciences, said when the new hall was announced.

Photo courtesy American Museum of Natural History