Yamanashi Gem Museum

Exhibition展示紹介

Deep beneath our Earth, gemstones continue to be born and grow. They are a product of nature, coming into being through the passing of many long years and numerous happy accidents. Our museum houses 3,000 pieces of 500 different varieties from around the world. We are proud to present a wide range that covers everything from raw stones to finished jewelry pieces.

History of the Yamanashi Jewelry Industory

Yamanashi has long been known as a crystal producing region, with crystal ware such as seals and beads being produced in the latter half of the 19th century. After World War II, jewelry manufacturing began to capitalize on such processing technology, and Yamanashi Prefecture developed into a major jewelry producing center, offering all stages of the manufacturing process, including polishing, precious metals processing, design and distribution. Currently, one third of jewelry products circulating in Japan are made here in Yamanashi.

From raw stones to gemstones

We exhibit approximately 50 kinds of major gemstones in the form of raw stones, cut stones and jewelry product sets. By viewing and comparing them with one another, you can see the process by which sparkling gemstones are born.

Giant crystal

A giant crystal that is 180cm in height and 1,270kg in weight and made in Brazil is enshrined on the specially installed stage at the back of the exhibit area. Even seen from a global standpoint, a single crystal this big and whose color is this beautiful is a precious item.

Craftsmanship

The precious gemstones dug up from the earth are processed by the hands of highly skilled craftsmen and sparkle beautifully. You can enjoy works by master craftsmen such as German gemstone cutter Bernd Munsteiner and Yamanashi gemstone sculptor Shoichi Takuma.

Rare minerals

We exhibit crystals mined from Yamanashi's Otome mine, which is globally known as a region producing Japanese twin crystals, amethyst, white crystal scepter quartz (made in Madagascar) and specimens that are highly valuable and precious from a mineralogical point of view.