How to Complete the Museum in Stardew Valley
Struggling to find that last artifact? Here is the fastest way to complete the Museum, farm minerals, and unlock the best rewards from Gunther.
The Museum collection consists of 95 items total: 53 Minerals and 42 Artifacts. Don't just rely on random digging—use the meta strategies like Omni Geodes and Artifact Troves to fill the gaps.
Quick Summary
- The Goal: Donate all 95 items to Gunther.
- Key Sources: Artifact Spots (worms), Geodes, Fishing Chests, and Artifact Troves.
- Major Milestones: Rusty Key (60 items), Ancient Seed (1 item), and the Stardrop (95 items).
Farming Minerals
Minerals are the easy part. You just need to spend time in the Mines and break everything in sight.
- Geodes: Take them to Clint. Different geodes (Normal, Frozen, Magma, Omni) drop different loot tables.
- Omni Geodes: The "king" of geodes. They contain almost everything. You can buy them from Sandy on Wednesdays.
- Mining: Rare gems like Diamonds, Rubies, and Emeralds can be mined directly from nodes in the deeper floors.
Farming Artifacts
This is where the grind gets real. Most players get stuck on the last 2-3 artifacts. Here's how to fix that:
The Artifact Trove Strat
Trade 5 Omni Geodes for 1 Artifact Trove at the Desert Trader. These only contain artifacts, making them much more efficient than digging random spots.
Artifact Spots (The Worms)
Artifacts are region-locked. If you need a Dinosaur Egg, farm the Mountains or Skull Cavern. Always keep an eye out for the 3 little "worms" wiggling in the dirt—those are guaranteed artifact/resource spawns.
Best Rewards from Gunther
Gunther isn't just a collector; he pays well. Here are the rewards you actually care about:
| Milestone | Reward | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Seed (Artifact) | Ancient Seed Recipe | Required to start your wine empire. |
| 60 Items | Rusty Key | Unlocks the Sewers, Krobus, and another Stardrop. |
| 95 Items (Complete) | Stardrop | Permanently increases your Max Energy. |
Note: When you donate the Ancient Seed artifact, Gunther gives you one plantable seed and the recipe. Do NOT sell the artifact before donating it!
Pro Tips
- Check the Description: If an item says "Gunther can tell you more about this," it means you haven't donated it yet. Keep it.
- Use the Collection Tab: In the 1.6 update, items you haven't donated are grayed out in your collections menu. Use this to track what's missing.
- Rearrange the Layout: You can move items around at any time by clicking the paper on Gunther's desk. It doesn't affect progress, but it looks better.
Related on StardewHub
- Diamond Guide — Best ways to farm and use the most valuable gem.
- Don't Sell These — Check this list before you clear out your chests.
That final Stardrop is worth the grind. Plus, having a fully stocked Museum just feels like a proper late-game achievement.
Updated for Stardew Valley 1.6.