Gold inspired the madness of gold rushes, held steadfast in value through world turmoil and transformed into objects of pure beauty. Alluring, fascinating and precious, this noble metal has inspired millions, adorned the powerful—and changed the world. Gold! Natural Treasure, Cultural Obsession provides visitors the chance to explore the role of gold in science, history, art, culture and myth.

See some of the largest gold nuggets in existence; walk through a room completely covered in gold; touch a 25-pound gold bar like those in Fort Knox; dive underwater to the sites of lost treasures; and see golden icons of our culture, including Olympic medals, Nobel Prize medallions and Academy Awards Oscar® statuettes. Trace the human obsession with gold throughout history and across diverse cultures—from ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt to the New World and the Spanish Conquest. Experience the alluring splendor of the finest gold specimens on earth; see hoards of gold bullion and coins from around the world; and learn how gold is found, mined, refined and turned into fascinatingly beautiful objects such as the stunning Indian wedding dress that will be on display. In the exhibit’s X•ploration Station kids can try their hand at panning gold, guess the amount of gold in a boulder of ore and use their senses to investigate the many facets of gold.

Don’t miss this golden opportunity to be dazzled by the beauty and wonder of the world’s most highly coveted and enduring form of wealth!

This exhibition was organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with the generous support of The Wortham Foundation, Inc.; The Hamill Foundation; The W.T. and Louise Moran Foundation; Goldman, Sachs and Company; Wells Fargo; and Fiesta.

No photography, video taping, backpacks or large bags will be allowed in the exhibition. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Dragon - Named for its unique shape, the Dragon originated in the Colorado Quartz Mine in California, one of the state’s most famous sources of beautifully crystallized gold. Despite its artfully crafted appearance, the Dragon formed naturally when lustrous, sheet-like clusters of sharp gold crystals grew around quartz crystals in open pockets. Such specimens exhibit sculptural shapes when liberated from their tight quarters, though the Dragon is by far one of the most recognizable.