Since the early 1890s, the University of Arizona has maintained a trove of wonders: a gem and mineral collection that has steadily grown — and just as steadily moved around campus, from the Douglass building to the State Museum, then to the old Engineering building, and on to its current home, the lower level of Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium.

Now, thanks in part to Allan Norville’s lead gift, the university is expanding the museum and moving into the epicenter of the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase in an iconic downtown Tucson landmark. This new location will be the hub of Tucson’s robust gem and mineral community and will expand the presence of the university’s geosciences department.

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Named in honor of Allan’s late wife, the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum is slated to open in 2020 in the Historic Pima County Courthouse.

The Norvilles have been involved in Tucson’s gem and mineral community for decades. They founded the annual GJX gem and jewelry show, a direct result of Alfie’s vision and foresight. “At the time we opened in 1994, there had been discussion of moving the show to another city because there was a serious lack of exhibit space,” Allan says. “Alfie was totally responsible for the idea of the GJX Show, and her wisdom filled a void that allowed the Tucson Gem Show to remain here. She was a great ambassador of Tucson. Her presence and interaction with the gem dealers each year was incredible.”

“Alfie was the most giving, sharing person I have ever met,” Allan continues. “Without a question, she is the most deserving person to have this museum named after her.”

The museum’s exhibit space will expand from 4,000 to 12,000 square feet, and the facility’s lower floor will house 8,000 square feet of research labs, meeting space and storage. Local and international mineral and gem groups will be able to gather in the meeting rooms.

“What’s most exciting about this is that the university has an amazing collection, but the current space is not sufficient to exhibit it all,” Allan says. “The addition at the courthouse is five times the size and in a better location, so people can easily visit. The first year it’s open during the gem show, more people will visit the museum than have in probably five years. It’s going to be beautiful.”

A Treasure Trove to Explore

• Mineral Evolution Gallery, detailing the origins of minerals
• Arizona Gallery, including a recreation of a Bisbee mine cave
• Minerals of Arizona
• Modern mining exhibit
• Crystal interactive lab
• Fluorescence Gallery
• Gem Gallery
• The Treasury, housing unique and exquisite gems and jewelry
• Rotating exhibits from collectors and designers from across the globe

We hope to see you at the new museum in downtown Tucson, slated to open in 2020. If you would like to support the completion of renovations and help keep us on track for opening, visit gemandmineralmuseum.arizona.edu or call 520-621-4105.

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