News July 2023:
The region around Lake Lucerne is enriched by a new interesting attraction. The long-established company Gübelin creates the Gübelin Gem Museum to mark the 100th The Gübelin Gem Museum is a new place for gemstone enthusiasts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its gemmological laboratory. Here the family business, founded in 1854, presents its knowledge of gemstones as well as its history in a multi-faceted way.
Raphael Gübelin (left), President of Gübelin, has a vision for the Gübelin Gem Museum: “With the museum, we want to create a lively forum for interaction and inspiration. This is where we choose to share our passion with interested persons.”
Eduard Josef Gübelin set standards in gemstone research
Located in the heart of Lucerne, the museum offers an insight into the ground-breaking research conducted by Eduard Josef Gübelin (1913-2005). The gemmologist is considered one of the fathers of modern gemmology. His research into the inner world of gemstones and their inclusions set standards among experts.
A.KRÜSS is not only connected to Gübelin through its passion for gemmology, but also through the quality instruments required for its investigations. His favorite loupe was a special magnifier from A.KRÜSS. This triplet wine loupe was sold with great success until a few months ago. Unfortunately, it is no longer in production. It was a fine optical masterpiece and used high-quality lenses and had flexible adjustable magnification levels (10x, 20x, 28x).
The museum combines innovation and tradition
The museum is presenting the pioneering spirit of the Gübelin company, from its foundation to the present and future. The exhibition shows exciting insights into the work of the laboratory, from its beginnings to the latest analytical capabilities. Today, Gübelin also relies to the latest analytical possibilities and the developments of Gemtelligence and Deep Learning (part of machine learning). There will also be a presentation of new technologies from the company Provenance Proof, here it is, for example, one of the first blockchain for coloured gemstones.
Exhibits worth seeing in the Haus zum Stein
In the exhibition the digital and interactive elements not only deliver inspiring experiences, they also create very special moments. The reference stone collection of the gemmological laboratory is definitely a highlight. This is considered the most complete of its kind in the world. It now comprises more than 28000 thousand gemstones. Eduard Josef Gübelin brought back gems from his travels all over the world. The collection is continuously expanded and completed. In the museum, visitors can discover 174 selected gemstones from the reference stone collection. Gemmologist Edward Boehm also contributed to the conception, execution and he was also providing some of the exhibits. He is the grandson of Eduard Josef Gübelin.
The exhibited objects from the company’s own collection of watches and jewellery will delight lovers of fine design. The selected pieces are on public display for the first time.
In addition, the Haus zum Stein is also the new home of the Gübelin Academy, where practical knowledge from the world of colored gemstones is taught in all its facets.
The museum was curated by the House of Gübelin together with jewelry expert Beatriz Chadour-Sampson. Sampson’s works with institutions such as the Swiss National Museum in Zurich and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Atelier Ingold Raschke is responsible for the staging of the exhibition.
Anyone visiting Switzerland should not miss a visit.
Place: Gübelin Gem Museum, Schwanenplatz 7- Haus zum Stein, 6004 Lucerne
Opening hours: Wednesday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm ; Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm