The Allison and Roberto Mignone Hall of Gems and Minerals has been part of the Natural History Museum since the 1970s.
Although it has been closed for three years, the museum finally announced that it will open its completely redesigned halls this upcoming fall- to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
A Long Line of History
“Halls like these are crucial and tangible teaching tools that communicate an understanding of humanity’s place in the universe,” said Allison Mignone. “Our family’s experiences at the Museum have helped us see the discoveries…and remarkable stories, such as those that will be featured in these renovated galleries, are told.”
The Design
The 11,000 square-foot halls have now been optimized to be the greatest collection of its kind. It will feature recently acquired specimens, including two remarkable amethyst geodes that are among the world’s largest on public display and a gallery of gems with treasures such as the legendary 563-carat “Star of India” sapphire and 632-carat Patricia emerald with much more.
Interactive Tour
The hall will also have interactive displays, touchable specimens, and redesigned exhibits that will tell the story of the vast diversity of minerals that arose on earth. The highlight will include a luminous gallery featuring a wall-sized panel of rock glowing fluorescently in the shade of orange and green.
High-End Animal Jewelry Exhibition
Animal jewelry designed by Cartier, Bulgary, Tiffany & Co as well as other luxurious brands will be featured in the exhibition hall. “The opening of the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will be a milestone in a wide range of capital and programmatic enhancements commemorating the Museum’s 150th anniversary,” said museum president Ellen V. Futter.
Telling a Story Through the Gems
“By telling the fascinating stories of the complex processes that gave rise to the extraordinary diversity of minerals on our dynamic planet and describing how people have used them throughout history for personal adornment, tools, and technology, the Halls will not just be glittering but also intellectually engaging.”
On your next trip to the Museum of Natural History, check out the hall of gems. You won’t be disappointed!
A Latin-American Twist That Instantly Elevates Any Fish Dish
Whether a person loves including fish in their diet or isn’t too keen on the prospect is sure to like this amazing recipe with a Latin-American twist. The secret lies in its simple yet very flavorful marinade that’s sweet, savory, and spicy. Pair this recipe with homemade fries for a delicious and satisfying meal!
What’s Needed for the Cured Chilean Fish Recipe
One of the great things about this recipe is that it’s quite simple to make and only requires a few ingredients that are easy to find in most stores. The marinating time requires a bit of patience, but the rewards are well worth it. This recipe calls for:
- 8-9 ounces of fish of any meaty variety
- Minced garlic
- 0,7 ounces of oyster sauce
- 0.3 ounces of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 0.4 ounces of minced ginger
- 0.7 ounces of chili powder
- 5-6 ounces of chopped potatoes
- Oil for frying
- Butter for brushing
Marinate the Fish
Wash and clean the chosen variety of fish and, if needed, slice into manageable portions. It’s necessary to pat it dry with kitchen paper towels before marinating it. In a bowl, mix the honey, oyster sauce, soy sauce, ginger, chili powder, and garlic. After stirring it into a uniform paste, spread the marinade generously over the prepared fish. Let it rest and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Time to Cook
Take the marinated fish out of the fridge about an hour ahead of time to let it get back to room temperature before frying. Fry the potatoes in hot oil in the meantime. Remove the potatoes from the pan and toss them in salt, butter, and chili powder while they’re hot. Apply some butter on the fish and grill it or fry it in a buttered skillet. Make sure that it’s cooked through and serve it hot!
