Rock hounds looking to ogle rare amethyst geodes or azurite clusters—or, hey, how about some dinosaur bones?—have a new mecca in New York City.
Astro Gallery of Gems, the 54-year-old natural history store (and NYC institution), has moved to spacious new digs—a 10,000-square-foot showroom on Fifth Avenue.
Courtesy Astro Gallery of Gems
A gem and mineral wall inside the Astro Gallery of Gems flagship
The gem and mineral gallery, which opened in 1961, houses an immense collection of meteorites, fossils, minerals, jewelry, and gems—ranging in price from just a few bucks to more than a million dollars.
Over the years the eclectic shop’s been a favorite of interior designers and celebrities including John Lennon, Salvador Dalí, and Shirley MacLaine. The store’s curators and scientists have advised on major collections for private individuals and museums. And since 2009, the company’s hosted a gem and mineral shop-in-shop for kids inside FAO Schwarz on Fifth Avenue.
“Astro Gallery has been a true vanguard of the mineralogical industry since its start 54 years ago,” said Dennis Tanjeloff, president and CEO of Astro Gallery of Gems, in a statement. “We are thrilled to introduce new generations of both native New Yorkers and tourists alike to the wonders of natural history through our impressive collection.”
Tanjeloff’s grandfather, Argentine businessman Julio Tanjeloff, founded the business, which remains family owned to this day.
Courtesy Astro Gallery of Gems
Gorgeous geodes and stones at the new shop on Fifth Avenue
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