$5 First Friday at NM Museum of Natural History & Science Last Chance to see one-of-a-kind The Wonderful World of Opals before it disbands

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 October’s $5 First Friday Event 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.