Editor’s Note
This article details the opening of the Gübelin Gem Museum in Lucerne, a new cultural venue from the renowned Swiss luxury house. It highlights how the museum showcases both the natural science of gemstones and the heritage of the family business.
In July 2023, the Swiss firm Gübelin, known for its luxury timepieces, jewelry, and its gemological laboratory, opened the Gübelin Gem Museum in Lucerne, Switzerland (figure 1). The collection allows visitors to explore the formation, origin, and diverse colors of fascinating gemstones (figure 2), as well as the history of the family-owned business, founded in 1854.
The opening of the museum commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Gübelin Gem Lab, which became a world-renowned institution in the field under the leadership of Dr. Edward J. Gübelin. Recognized for his gemstone inclusion research, Dr. Gübelin’s groundbreaking work is a focal point of the museum, including many of his instruments and gemstones he collected during his travels worldwide. Visitors will discover 174 gemstones selected from the company’s reference collection in addition to selected Gübelin watches and jewelry pieces from various eras.
The compact space not only houses historical exhibits but also provides a window to the future. Visitors will learn about Provenance Proof, the company’s blockchain technology for colored gemstones, and Gemtelligence, a colored gemstone analytical tool that uses artificial intelligence to increase consistency in data interpretation, origin determination, and identification of heat treatment. It is also the new home of the Gübelin Academy, offering courses to inspire students in the museum setting. Through digital and interactive elements, the exhibits will be continuously updated and expanded, ensuring new experiences for years to come.
