The exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the hidden world of colors within dark tourmalines. Light-colored varieties such as rubellite, verdelite, and indigolite have long been known as gemstones. It was only recently discovered that crystals of the black tourmaline variety schorl also reveal a stunning variety of colors, shapes, and plays of light—when cut thin enough. Using microphotography, chemist Dr. Paul Rustemeyer succeeded in capturing these enchanting crystal worlds and interpreting them mineralogically. Some thin sections reveal structures of extraordinary detail and color brilliance.

The exhibition presents numerous large-format detailed photographs, over 400 crystals, and around 1,500 backlit original thin sections. The interplay of science and aesthetics invites you to be enchanted by magical images in dark tourmaline crystals and to learn about the growth and decay of crystals.

For this exhibition, Dr. Rustemeyer was awarded the 2024 Doris Schachner Medal by the German Mineralogical Society.

You will find the special exhibition on the 1st floor of the special exhibition building.