Step 1
Treasure hunt through the museum
With a questionnaire you go through the museum looking for the answers. Along the way you learn all sorts of things about the treasures of the earth. Afterwards you get a small surprise.
Museum De Oude Aarde
gemstones, minerals & fossils
De Oude Aarde (The Old Earth) on the Binnenpad in Giethoorn is a museum and shop full of minerals, gemstones and fossils. The museum has existed since 1969. You can also go on a treasure hunt, pan for gold in the ponds and crack open a crystal ball.
Museum and gemstone shop under one roof
In the De Oude Aarde museum you can look at minerals, crystals, gemstones and fossils. In the shop next door you will find souvenirs and gifts made of gemstones and ornamental stones, as well as minerals, fossils and jewellery. For children there is the Lucky Luck package with a treasure hunt, gold panning and a crystal ball that you crack open yourself.
- Museum with minerals, crystals, gemstones and fossils
- Lucky Luck package: treasure hunt, gold panning and crystal ball cracking
- School trips and children’s parties, with a coffee loft for parties
- Shop with souvenirs and gifts made of gemstones and ornamental stones
- Silver and gold jewellery with gemstones
- Wholesale of gemstones, minerals and fossils, visits by appointment
At Museum De Oude Aarde you can visit a museum about gemstones and fossils, go on a treasure hunt with children, pan for gold, crack a geode, hold a children’s party or school trip, and buy gemstones, minerals and jewellery.
You do not need to book for a regular museum visit. If you are coming with a large group, please get in touch in advance.
Museum
A museum since 1969
The museum was founded in 1969 by René Boissevain. The first stones to get a place there were Australian agates that he had collected himself. The finest pieces were put in a display case and could be viewed for a quarter-guilder coin. The other agates were sold in the shop.
Today in the museum you see minerals, crystals, gemstones and fossils, and read interesting facts about the treasures of the earth. Children walk through the museum with the treasure hunt questionnaire.
- Minerals and crystals in display cases
- Gemstones and fossils
- Interesting facts about the treasures of the earth
- Suitable for children, with a treasure hunt through the museum
The Lucky Luck package
For children (and adults who want to give it a try), De Oude Aarde has the Lucky Luck package. It consists of three parts that you do one after the other. Museum entrance is included.
Step 1
Step 2
Gold fever
Like the gold diggers in the Wild West, you use a gold pan to search through the sand for crystals and “gold”. You do this in the ponds of De Oude Aarde.
Step 3
Cracking a crystal ball
Finally, you crack open a Mexican crystal ball (geode). A ball like this formed millions of years ago in cooling lava. Inside there may be crystals, and you are the first to see them.
Three versions
The package comes in three versions. The difference is the crystal ball you crack open at the end.
- Casino: museum entrance, treasure hunt, gold panning and a crystal ball without a crystal guarantee
- Crystal: museum entrance, treasure hunt, gold panning and a crystal ball with a crystal guarantee
- Jackpot: museum entrance, treasure hunt, gold panning and an extra large crystal ball with a crystal guarantee
School trip and children’s party
You can also do the programme with the treasure hunt, gold panning and crystal ball cracking with a class or with a group of friends. You book a school trip or children’s party in advance on 0521 36 13 13.
School trip
A school trip with the class is also possible at De Oude Aarde. Depending on its size, the class is divided into a number of smaller groups. Each group takes turns doing a part of the programme, so that everyone takes part in the treasure hunt, the gold panning and the cracking of a crystal ball.
Children’s party
The birthday child goes on a treasure hunt through the museum with friends and learns all sorts of things about the pieces in the collection along the way. For the party you can use the coffee loft: a room with tables and chairs that is decorated with garlands and balloons. A children’s party takes about one and a half to two hours.
Shop and wholesale
Besides the museum, De Oude Aarde has a gemstone shop and a wholesale business. The stones are imported directly from various countries and selected on the spot by De Oude Aarde itself.
Gemstone shop
In the shop you can buy souvenirs and gifts made of or with gemstones and ornamental stones. There is also a wide choice of minerals and fossils.
- Souvenirs and gifts made of gemstones and ornamental stones
- Rough and polished minerals and gemstones
- Fossils and stone engravings
- Silver and gold jewellery with gemstones
Wholesale
De Oude Aarde is also a wholesaler of gemstones, minerals and fossils. The range runs from rough stones to jewellery. A visit to the wholesale business is always by appointment.
- Direct import from all over the world
- From rough stones to jewellery
- Visits by appointment only
Practical information
- AddressBinnenpad 43, 8355 BR Giethoorn
- Museum visitno booking needed; contact them in advance with a large group
- School trip or children’s partybook on 0521 36 13 13 or [email protected]
- Children’s partytakes about one and a half to two hours, including use of the coffee loft
- Wholesalevisits by appointment only
Frequently asked questions about Museum De Oude Aarde
Do you have to book for a visit to Museum De Oude Aarde?
No, you do not need to book for a regular museum visit. If you are coming with a large group, please contact De Oude Aarde in advance at [email protected].
What is the Lucky Luck package?
The Lucky Luck package is a programme in three parts: a treasure hunt with a questionnaire through the museum, gold panning with a gold pan in the ponds and cracking open a Mexican crystal ball. Museum entrance is included with all versions.
What is the difference between Casino, Crystal and Jackpot?
With Casino you crack a crystal ball without a crystal guarantee, with Crystal a crystal ball with a crystal guarantee, and with Jackpot an extra large crystal ball with a crystal guarantee. The treasure hunt, gold panning and museum entrance are part of all three.
Can you hold a children's party at De Oude Aarde?
Yes. The birthday child goes on a treasure hunt through the museum with friends. For the party you can use the coffee loft, with tables and chairs and decorated with garlands and balloons. A children's party takes about one and a half to two hours. You book by phone on 0521 36 13 13.
Can you go on a school trip to De Oude Aarde?
Yes. The class is divided into smaller groups, who take turns doing a part of the programme. You book a school trip by phone on 0521 36 13 13.
What can you buy in the shop of De Oude Aarde?
In the shop you will find souvenirs and gifts made of gemstones and ornamental stones, minerals and fossils, stone engravings, rough and polished stones, and silver and gold jewellery with gemstones.
How old is Museum De Oude Aarde?
The museum was founded in 1969 by René Boissevain. The first stones in the museum were Australian agates that he had collected himself.