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Museum Quality Specimens Page 2 Museum quality specimens most of which comes from Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History
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| A large
gold formation. From the Eureka Mine, Tuolumne County, California. The
height is approximately 7", and the weight 454.7 grams. Used in
a popular Smithsonian poster. From the gem and mineral collections of
the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. |
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A stunning
close-up of one of the world's largest diamonds. The Portuguese Diamond
is 127.01 carats, the largest cut diamond to come from Brazil, and the
13th largest diamond in the world. This stone is part of the collections
of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. |
| From Brazil,
this highly faceted rock crystal (quartz) egg is 7,000 carats! Quartz,
in its many forms, colors, varieties and possible uses, is the most
diverse natural substance known. Colorless or transparent quartz is
called rock crystal. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
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Quartz constitutes 12 percent of the Earth's crust and is used in countless products from computers and watches to satellites and medical equipment. Scientists at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History recently discovered a new mineral -Moganite- in the museum's collection of quartz specimens. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History |
| Quartz
crystal can be used by scientists as a tool for finding other mineral
deposits such as petroleum. Quartz crystals also have ornamental value
as gemstones. Quartz constitutes 12 percent of the Earth's crust and
is used in countless products from computers and watches to satellites
and medical equipment. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History |
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The ancient Sumerians valued large quartz chrystals for making jewelry. Scientists at the Smithsonian recently discovered a mineral -Moganite- in fine-quartz specimens, which may, in turn, lead prospectors to reserves of petroleum and other resources. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. |
| A close-up
of a brilliant red on white Rhodochrosite crystal from the mineral collections
of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. |
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The mineral Rubellite. This large purple crystal formation is from the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. |
| The mineral
Smithsonite, a zinc carbonate material first recognized by James Smithson,
a wealthy Englishman who bequeathed funds to the United States for the
creation of the Smithsonian Institution. This specimen is from the Kelly
mine in New Mexico. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
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Stibnite, an ore of antimony, has a bright metallic luster. This spectacular group of crystals is from Iyo, Japan, and is part of the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. |
| This beautiful
spray of sherry-colored topaz crystals is from the Thomas Range in Utah.
Sherry-colored crystals are found in Mexico and Utah, but shortly after
exposure to daylight they become colorless. From the gem and mineral
collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
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Of the 2,000-plus minerals that form good crystals, most never produce large ones. These beautiful tiny yellow crystals are Wulfenite. They are quite perfect, the color is vivid, and the artistry of the composition exquisite. From the gem and mineral collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. |
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