Lovers of jewelry rejoice! I’ve researched many of the best jewelry museums in the world and have narrowed them down to my favorite 5. I chose these because of their diverse locations, from the U.S.A. to South America to Eastern and Western Europe, as well as for the diversity of their collections. Of course there are many, many more in addition to those on this list, but these were my favorites. You’ll see why!

1. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC, U.S.A

Although an eclectic collection of artifacts, art, antiques, and more, this museum is on the list because it includes the Burmese sapphire donated by Countess Mona Von Bismarck in 1967, and also the Hope Diamond which was donated by Harry Winston in 1958. The Hope Diamond, probably the most famous single diamond in history, has been visited by over 100 million people since its placement into the museum.

2. The Jewel House at the Tower of London, London, England

The world has a particular fascination for the Royal Family of England, which is one of the main reasons why this collection of royal jewels is so widely-known. Not only are the crown jewels beautiful, but they are also housed in a centuries-old castle, providing visitors with the whole historic experience. One particular item of importance is the Cullinan I diamond, which is the largest single polished white diamond in the world, sizing in at 530 carats!

3. Swarovski Crystal World, Wattens, Austria

This museum is also sometimes referred to as a theme park! It features multiple chambers full of the famous Swarovski brand crystals, including a mirror chamber which simulates what it would be like inside a giant crystal! This museum is one of Austria’s most popular tourist attractions for it’s modernity and style. As an added bonus, the property outside the museum is a beautiful scenic park.

4. The Kremlin Armoury Museum, Moscow, Russia

This is one of the oldest museums in Russia and houses items made specifically for many of Russia’s great historical tsars, such as Peter the Great and Ivan the Terrible. One of the more impressive pieces is the Orlov Diamond, pictured below.

5. Gold Museum, Bogota, Colombia

This museum has the largest collection of gold work crafted by the many cultures and societies that inhabited Colombia before Europeans arrived to the Americas. The collection includes 55,000 pieces but only has space to display 6,000 at a time. The items are mostly gold but the museum also has artifacts of pottery, wood, and other material. The most famous artifact at the museum is the “El Dorado Raft,” a centuries-old gold figure depicting the ritual of offering gold to the gods.

Which one is your favorite? Have you visited any of these jewelry museums? Have you been to one not listed here? If so I’m jealous! Remember if you have any jewelry to sell, we’ll be happy to buy your gold at Orlando Jewelry Buyers. We buy coins, diamonds, silver, and more!