Crack open a whole new world at The Gem Museum in Singapore

Ever wondered what lies inside a geode, or why certain minerals glow under ultraviolet light? At The Gem Museum in Singapore, you can find out for yourself.

Located along Perak Road, a short walk from Rochor MRT Station, this privately owned museum offers free general admission and a fascinating look at the world of gemstones.

Learn how they form deep within the earth, the skill involved in cutting and polishing them, and what makes some gemstones more valuable than others.

And there’s plenty to get involved in, too. You can watch minerals come alive under ultraviolet light, crack open a geode to reveal the crystals inside, and even take home a little piece of your discovery.

For an introduction to the world of gemstones, start at the Level 1 exhibition, where you’ll learn how these precious gemstones are formed, mined and brought to market. Explore the displays at your own pace, or join one of the museum’s complimentary guided tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays for more insights into the specimens on show.

On Level 2, take a peek into the Gem Lab for a glimpse of the work involved in studying and identifying gemstones.

Then head to the Space Glow Room ($12 for adults), where ultraviolet light reveals colours that aren’t visible under normal lighting. Look out for minerals such as spinel, whose red fluorescence can be especially striking against the surrounding rock.

For something more hands-on, try the geode-breaking experience ($18 per geode, or $30 for two). Choose a geode, crack it open and examine the crystals that have formed inside. You can even take your discovery home, or polish a small piece for an additional $8.

For anyone curious about what makes one gemstone different from another, the museum also offers workshops and activities that go beyond the basics.

The Gem Discovery series ($58 per workshop) introduces participants to the properties of gemstones, how their quality is assessed and the factors that influence their value. There’s also a Crystal Appreciation workshop ($58), which encourages a closer look at crystals through observation and gemological knowledge.

The museum’s newer programme, The Value Lab, takes an interesting approach to the subject. Led by co-founder Sarah Loke Hui Ying, the three-part series uses gemstones to explore how people perceive value and make decisions, examining the role of information, personal priorities and changing circumstances.

Younger visitors haven’t been forgotten either. The Junior Rockstar programmes introduce children to gemology through age-appropriate activities, while seasonal camps offer opportunities to examine specimens and get involved in hands-on discoveries. Families can also try Gem Art ($10 per set) or Rock Art ($8 per piece), creating their own keepsakes to take home.

Schools, corporate groups and private parties can also arrange tailored visits and learning experiences with the museum.

Before leaving, visitors can also browse The Gem Museum Shop for gemstones, minerals and gem-inspired souvenirs. It’s a lovely way to bring home a little memento of the visit, or pick up a gift for someone who shares an interest in the natural world.

Making all this knowledge accessible to more people was what inspired husband-and-wife team Tay Kunming and Loke Hui Ying to establish The Gem Museum in 2015. The museum also draws on the work and collection of Kunming’s father, Tay Thye Sun, founder of the Far East Gem Research Institute.

Together, they’ve turned that wealth of knowledge and experience into a place where anyone can learn more about gemstones, even without knowing the first thing about them.

It’s also where the museum’s Mine to Market to Memories concept comes in. Visitors can follow the journey of a gemstone, learning how it forms, where it comes from, how it’s cut and polished, and what determines its value. And then there’s the more personal side of it all: how a stone becomes something we treasure, perhaps as a gift, a piece of jewellery or a family heirloom.

The Gem Museum is located at 9 Perak Road, Singapore 208130, near Rochor MRT Station (Exit B).

• Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday, 12pm–5pm; Saturday, 11am–3pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
• General admission: Free, with advance registration required.
• Guided tours: Free on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2pm–3pm. Separate registration required.
• Optional experiences: Space Glow Room, geode-opening activities and workshops are priced separately.

Ready to see it for yourself? Plan your visit and register your preferred time.