Darya-ye Noor Stone and Gem Museum of Shiraz

Eram Garden is one of the most famous gardens of Shiraz and is also known as the symbol of this city. There are two mansions in this garden, one of which is known today as the Darya-ye Noor Stone and Gem Museum in which a collection of the most beautiful and unique stones and gems of the world are on display. Due to the beauty of the stones and gems preserved in it, the reputation of Darya-ye Noor Museum has gone beyond the borders of Iran and every year many tourists from all over the world come to Shiraz to visit this museum, which was founded in an area of 300 sq. meters under the supervision of Shiraz University.

Where Is the Darya-ye Noor Stone and Gem Museum of Shiraz located?

Eram Garden is known as one of the 9 complexes that were inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2011. This garden was earlier inscribed in the list of Iran’s cultural heritage in 1974.

Eram Garden is located in the northeastern end of Shiraz over an area of about 9 hectares. The garden is built on a surface that slopes from north to south. The main entrance of the garden is in its lowest part, in the southeast corner, which is about 15 meters lower than the highest point of the garden. Cypress and orange trees make up most of the vegetation in this garden. Some of the species of trees that can be seen in this garden are unmatched anywhere in Shiraz.

Darya-ye Noor Museum is located in the kiosk of the Eram Garden. This pavilion is built at the northern end of the garden. There is a middle courtyard in the pavilion where cypress and orange trees and all kinds of ornamental flowers can be seen. A large water fountain is also built in front of the kiosk, which adds to its beauty. The decorative tiles of the pavilion are designed with motifs from the historical stories of Iran, doubling the beauty of this mansion. In fact, every tourist who visits this building hesitates between enjoying the beautiful gems and its eye-catching building! The architect of this building, Haj Mohammad Hassan Khan, was one of the most famous architects in the history of Shiraz.

Features of Darya-ye Noor Museum

Being inaugurated in 2009, Darya-ye Noor Museum houses a large number of precious stones. Earlier, a similar museum called the Stone and Gem Museum had been established in Tehran, and as the second museum in Iran with this theme Darya-ye Noor Stone and Gem Museum exhibits 140 beautiful stones and gems.

Most of the stones of this museum have been collected from different mines and areas of Iran. Nevertheless, the museum also has a collection of precious and semi-precious stones from other countries.

Objects preserved in Darya-ye Noor Museum

Some gems of this museum such as amber, diamond, ruby, emerald, turquoise, agate, and jasper are quite rare.

Some beautiful handmade ornaments made with such stones and gems are also displayed in the museum. One can also visit this museum to see the art of cutting stones and the subtle ways in which ornaments and jewelry are made with them.

In short, one has to spend rather a long time to see the colorful earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets preserved in the various showcases of the museum.

Due to the beauty of the stones and gems preserved in it, the reputation of Darya-ye Noor Museum has gone beyond the borders of Iran.