The German Mineral Museum in Idar-Oberstein – fascinating highlights in abundance

One of the smallest cameos in the world, a crystal hall unique throughout the country and an impressive collection of historic diamond replicas: These are just some of the highlights with which the German Mineral Museum is able to inspire countless visitors from all over the world, every single year.

Located in the heart of the district of Oberstein, and in the immediate vicinity of the world-famous “Felsenkirche” church and Castle Oberstein (“Neues Schloss”), the museum, which is run by the Association “Die Heimatfreunde Oberstein e.V.” is one of the most important attractions of the gemstone town situated on the Nahe river.
The museum, situated in a “Wilhelminian” style house, hosts one of the region's most extensive gemstone and mineral collections.  In 24 rooms and across four floors, the exhibits collected over an 81-year period are waiting to offer visitors insight into the fascinating world of minerals and gemstones, as well as the history of Idar-Oberstein.

Some of the most renowned artisans have provided the museum exhibits made of precious stones, including gems, gemstone receptacles and objets d'art.

Visitors to the German Mineral Museum can expect to experience a very special kind of time travel: The exhibition comprises 400 million year-old fossils found in the Hunsrück slate originating from the Devonian period, such as crabs, sea lilies and trilobites, as well as a beautiful collection of jewellery created by Idar-Oberstein’s gemstone cutters and goldsmiths during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Opening hours:

March 16th - April 30th 2024:

Monday - Friday: 12:00 - 5:00 pm

Saturday, Sunday, public holiday: from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

from May 1st 2024:

daily 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Guided tours for groups and school classes are available by appointment outside regular opening hours.

Prices:

Adults: 8,00 €, 

Adults in groups of 10 or more: €7.00, 

pensioners, severely disabled persons, students: 7,00 €,

Children/youth 6 - 18 years: 4,50 €, 

School classes per pupil 6 - 18 years: 3,50 €, 

Family ticket with all children up to 15 years: 17,50 €,   

Children up to 5 years: free.

Guided tours (German) up to 10 persons: 30,00 €, each additional person: 2,00 €.

Guided tours (English/French) up to 10 persons: 40,00 €, each additional person: 2,00 €.

Contact: Hauptstr. 436, 55743 Idar-Oberstein/ Oberstein district.

Tel.: 06781-24619, Fax: 28303, info@deutsches-mineralienmuseum.de, www.deutsches-mineralienmuseum.de. The office can be reached by phone Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m..

Accessibility by public transport: bus line 801, 805, 806, 870, stop: Oberstein Stadtteater / Museum

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