Special exhibition "Brilliant. Violet. Changeable - Amethyst from the heart of the Ore Mountains" extended until 10 March
The Chemnitz Museum of Natural History's special exhibition "Brilliant. Violet. Changeable - Amethyst from the Heart of the Ore Mountains" will be extended until 10 March 2019. Since the opening on 21 February 2018, 17,000 visitors have already visited the special exhibition. An analysis of the postcodes revealed a high visitor response throughout Saxony. The exhibition also attracted visitors from all other federal states as well as from Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria and Italy.
As part of the extension of the exhibition, amethyst crystal specimens from the Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz were refurbished and integrated into the presentation together with other objects from private lenders. The new additions include an amethyst necklace set in gold from the estate of Elisabeth Charlotte Constanzia von der Recke (* 20 May 1754 in Schönberg, Latvia; † 13 April 1833 in Dresden). In addition, extensively restored amethyst crystal specimens from the collection of the Museum für Naturkunde show rare long-prismatic amethyst crystals from the historic site of Wiesenbad.
The presentation has also been expanded to include three unique cabochons from the cross-section of Mildenau amethyst specimens. They were produced by Hubert Bieser from Wurms based on a historical model. Finally, the faceted amethyst of 48.5 carats from Wiesenbad amethyst, newly added to the exhibition, illustrates the brilliant craftsmanship of stone cutting, which a young amateur cutter from Chemnitz learnt on his own.
On Tuesday, 2 October 2018 at 3 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a public guided tour of the special exhibition. Registration is not required. Admission is 5 euros, concessions 2.50 euros.
Click here for the public tour.
Image: Amethyst necklace from the estate of Elisabeth Charlotte Constanzia von der Recke, set in gold; decorated with pearls from the river pearl mussel, made in the 19th century. Lender: Jens Häusler, object no. 296 (Photo: Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz).