Museums
directory of mineralogy museums grouped by country, state and city in alphabetical order:Virtual museums
Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame
a web-based resource to recognise the prospectors and miners of Australia
Virtual Museum of the History of Mineralogy
includes antiquarian books, goniometers, crystal models, optical and other instruments once used in mineralogy or crystallography
Virtual museum of the University of Huelva
Society of Mineral Museum Professionals
Society of Mineral Museum Professionals (SMMP)
the Society of Mineral Museum Professionals (SMMP) is an international organization of mineral museum curators and others with related interests
Museo de Mineralogía y Geología "Dr. A.Stelzner" (Córdoba)
mineralogy and geology museum of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Museo Camín Cosquín (Cosquin)
private mineral museum
Museo Mineralis (La Cumbrecita)
gems from different countries, minerals, gemological, geological and survey instruments
New South Wales
Australian Museum (Sydney)
mineralogy, petrology, meteorite and tektite collection
Geoscience Australia (Symonston near Canberra)
The collection contains 15 000 gem, mineral and meteorite specimens from Australia and across the globe. Over 700 of the most impressive specimens are on display in the foyer
Queensland
Crystal Caves Museum (Atherton)
private mineralogical collection with over 600 minerals, crystals and fossils on display
Minerals Heritage Museum (Southbank, Brisbane)
run by a not-for-profit small organization. Their goal is to assemble and display a collection of finely crystallized mineral specimens open to the public. They currently have over 700 specimens in the collection
South Australia
The South Australian Museum (Adelaide)
The strengths of the collection are undoubtedly the fine specimens from South Australian localities, particularly from the copper mines of Burra, Moonta and Wallaroo, as well as secondary minerals from Broken Hill
Victoria
Museum of Victoria (Carlton, Melbourne)
the Mineral Collection consists of 50 000 registered specimens from Victorian, Australian and foreign localities
Western Australia
Edward de Courcy Clarke Earth Science Museum (Crawley)
the Museum is part of the School of Earth and Environment of the University of Western Australia
Western Australian Museum (Perth)
the Earth and Planetary Sciences Dept maintains six Earth Science collections comprising of fossils, minerals, rocks, gems, meteorites and tektites, totalling more than 1.5 million specimens
Museum Bramberg (Bramberg, Salzburg/Pinzgau)
the museum highlights mainly local Alpine minerals in attractive displays
Inatura (Dornbirn)
modern Natural History Museum that has some minerals on display
Krahuletz Museum (Eggenburg)
the museum has permanent displays of mainly local minerals, rocks and fossils
Universalmuseum Joanneum (Graz)
historical important mineral collection and mineralogical instruments in contemporary show cases on display. Other mineral collections available for research
Museen Hüttenberg (Hüttenberg)
mineral museum, mining museum and tourist mine in Hüttenberg (Carinthia)
Tiroler Landesmuseen (Innsbruck)
this provincial museum has a collection of about 2500 mineral specimens
Bergbaumuseum Klagenfurt (Klagenfurt)
mining museum with a large permanent display of mainly local minerals
Landesmuseum Kärnten (Klagenfurt)
this provincial museum has a collection of about 38000 mineral specimens
Mineralogisches Kabinett der Sternwarte (Kremsmünster)
the second floor houses an 18th century mineral collection on display in its contemporary furniture
Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum (Linz-Leonding)
this provincial museum has a collection of about 8000 mineral specimens
Mineraliensammlung Stift Melk (Melk)
the systematic collection (now ordered accoring to the Strunz system) started in 1767, open to the public
Museum Felberturm (Mittersill, Salzburg/Pinzgau)
mostly local (Alpine) minerals on display
Haus der Natur (Salzburg)
permanent displays of mainly local minerals (including giant quartz crystals), but also worldwide minerals and gems
Landesmuseum Niederösterreich (St. Pölten)
this provincial museum has a collection of about 2000 mineral specimens
Naturhistorishes Museum (Vienna)
department of Mineralogy and Petrography
Musée de l'Iguanodon (Bernissart)
the Museum of the Iguanodon has mainly fossils, but also some nice minerals on display
DIVA (Antwerp)
enter the dazzling world of DIVA, filled with diamonds, jewellery and silverware. DIVA takes you on a journey through Antwerp’s diamond story. Outstanding workmanship, fascinating anecdotes, intense emotions and impressive sets await you in this brilliant museum
Diamantmuseum Brugge (Brugge = Bruges)
the Diamond Museum of Bruges Situated in the centre of Bruges
KBIN - IRSN (Brussels)
the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences runs the national museum of natural sciences which also has a fine Mineral Gallery
Natuurhistorisch Museum Boekenberg (Deurne, Antwerp)
permanent displays focusing on mineralogy, paleontology, archaeology and prehistoric life
De Wereld van Kina (Gent)
modern nature museum for kids & adolescents. Lots of cool displays on rocks, gems, volcanoes, earth quakes, etc.. About 500 minerals on display: systematic, fluorescent, Belgian and recent acquisitions.
Museum Vieille Montagne (Kelmis) this new (2022) museum has an important collection of old specimens of local zinc and lead minerals & a lot about the history of this most unusual mining district.
Museum ACAM (Merksem, Antwerp)
minerals of Belgium and the rest of the world; a large display of fluorescent minerals, also some fossils and temporary exhibits
Muséum régional des Sciences naturelles (Mons)
This natural history museum also has an earth sciences section with some nice minerals on display.
Musée du coticule (Salmchâteau)
coticule is a unique wetstone, found only in Belgium. The museum is located in an authentic coticule workshop and has a small mineral collection on display
Royal Museum for Central Africa (Tervuren)
the museum will re-open in 2018. Part of the mineral collection can be studied online, starting at this webpage
Diamantmuseum (Zoersel)
visitors are taken all the way from a diamond mine to the moment the diamond is set in a jewel and asking for attention
Museums of Mineralogy and Paleontology in Brazil
MM Gerdau - Museu das Minas e do Metal (Belo Horizonte)
on the history of minerals and mining in Minas Gerais, with many excellent displays (unfortunately only documented in Portuguese)
"Luiz Englert" Mineralogical and Petrological Museum (Porto Alegre)
institute of Geosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil
Museu da Geodiversidade (Rio de Janeiro)
museum of the Geology Department of the UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
Museu de Geociências (São Paolo)
Instituto de Geociências da Universidade de São Paulo
National Museum of Natural History (Sofia)
Department of Minerals and Rocks
Rhodope Crystal (Madan)
collection of mineral samples extracted from the mines of the region over an extended period. The museum exhibits approximately 600 items
Alberta
Mineralogy and Petrology Museum (Edmonton)
like a glistening treasure chest in the basement of the Earth Sciences Building, the museum exhibits approximately 1,000 specimens
British Columbia
Pacific Museum of Earth (Vancouver)
the PME has a wealth of mineral displays that highlight the truly spectacular natural beauty on Earth
Manitoba
Robert B. Ferguson Museum of Mineralogy (Winnipeg)
the collection numbers some 7,500 mineral specimens. Over 15% of these are on display in the hallway of the Wallace Building
Nova Scotia
Museum of Natural History (Halifax)
the Geology Gallery of the museum displays many types of ore, rocks and minerals that can be found in Nova Scotia.
Ontario
Bancroft Mineral and Mining Museum (Bancroft)
mineral Museum of the Bancroft Gem and Mineral Club, opened in 2013
Miller Museum of Geology (Kingston)
an active Earth Science museum with a large display collection of the Earth’s rocks, minerals and fossils
Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa)
Earth Sciences Collection
Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto)
close to 3,000 exceptional specimens of minerals, gems, meteorites and rocks on display!
University of Waterloo Earth Sciences Museum (Waterloo)
minerals, fossils, meteorites and even a mining tunnel are on display in the Earth Sciences building
Québec
Malartic Mineralogical Museum = Musée Minéralogique de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Malartic)
original exhibits and interactive attractions engage visitors in learning about the many fascinating aspects of minerals
Redpath Museum, McGill University (Montréal)
its mandate is to foster understanding and appreciation of the diversity of our biological, geological, and cultural heritage through scientific research, collections-based study, and education
Musée de géologie René-Bureau, Université Laval (Québec City)
hosts the largest and oldest geological collections in Quebec. More than 1000 mineral samples from around the world on display. Designed as a teaching collection.
Minéro - Musée de Thetford (Thetford Mines)
The museum focuses on asbestos, mineralogy, geology and mining history. The collections include more than 15,000 mineral specimens from around the world.
Saskatchewan
Sesula Mineral & Gem Museum (Radisson)
the museum is curated by 13 year old Judah Tyreman and displays over three thousand specimens. It is the only fully hands on musuem of its kind in Canada
Hunan Provincial Museum of Geology (Changsha, Hunan)
very modern museum with an extensive collection of mainly Chinese minerals on display
Moravian Museum (Brno)
Department of mineralogy a petrography
Narodni Museum (Prague)
Natural History Museum of the Czech Republic
Natural History Museum (Copenhagen) Mineral Hall
The mineral Halls cover more than 300 m2. The major part of the two halls is occupied by the systematic exhibition, further completed by many regional thematic exhibits.
Museum Mors (Nykøbing Mors)
This museum has cultural history and (mainly local) fossils and minerals on display, including the world's largest ikaite crystal cluster, measuring almost a meter in length!
more info here
Egyptian Geological Museum (Cairo)
geological specimens from Egypt and other parts of the world
Musée de minéralogie et de pétrographie (Ambazac, Haute-Vienne)
about 500 rocks and 3000 minerals (both worldwide and local) are on permanent display in the museum
Musée des Minéraux Bourg d’Oisans (Bourg d’Oisans, Isère)
the Museum of Minerals is located in the attic of the church and houses a fine collection of French Alps minerals.
Musée de la Mine du Cap Garonne (Cap Garonne, Var)
the old copper mine of Cap Garonne is turned into a museum
Musée des Cristaux (Chamonix)
minerals of the (French) Alps
Musée de Minéralogie (Crozon, Finistère)
largest fluorescent mineral display of Europe! Permanent exhibits on local geology and mineralogy.
Musée Crozatier (Le Puy en Velay, Haute-Loire)
the museum has a nice mineral collection. Closed for renovation till the end of 2015 !
Collection de Minéraux (Paris)
the mineral collection at the University P. and M. Curie (Sorbonne)
Musée de minéralogie (Paris)
the mineral collection of the School of Mines of Paris (École des Mines de Paris)
Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (Paris)
the French national Natural History Museum
Terrae Genesis (Saint-Amé, Vosges)
rocks of the Vosgian Massif, minerals, fossils
Capitale de la Minéralogie (Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines)
mineral museums and tourist mines in the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines area
Le Musée du château de Montiracle (Villemoirieu, Isère)
Private collection of over 1,400 specimens of more than 200 species, carefully selected, including many from France (especially from the Isère and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions)
Musée de Géologie de l’Université de Rennes (Rennes)
Over 20 000 mineral specimens, many from France but also the rest of the world.
list of mineralogical museums and university collections in Germany
Gesteins- und Mineraliensammlung Freie Universität Berlin (Berlin)
rock and mineral collection of the Freie Universität Berlin
Mineralogische Sammlungen Technische Universität Berlin (Berlin)
the collection of the TU Berlin consist of many diverse sub-collections, some started as early as 1781!
Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum (Bochum)
largest mining museum in Europe, with detailed displays of all kinds of ore deposits, as well as systematic minerals displays and a huge section on mining lamps, and much, much more
Mineralogisch-Petrologisches Institut und Museum (Bonn)
mineralogical institute and museum at the University of Bonn
Museum Huthaus Einigkeit (Brand-Erbisdorf)
silver mining museum with minerals on display
Mineralienkabinett (deutsch) Mineral Gallery (english) (Bremen)
pictures of common minerals according to the classification of Strunz. Universität Bremen
Clausthal Mineral Collection (Clausthal-Zellerfeld)
mineral collection of the Technische Universität Clausthal
Schwerspatmuseum Dreislar (Dreislar, Sauerland)
mineral museum mainly focussed on the barite with chalcopyrite specimens found at this classic locality
Besucherbergwerk Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf (Ehrenfriedersdorf)
tourist mine and mining museum with over 1000 minerals on display
Geowissenschaftlichen Sammlungen der TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Freiberg)
minerals, rocks, fosils, etc.
Krugerhaus (Freiberg)
without doubt the best collection of German minerals on display in a single museum
Terra Mineralia (Freiberg)
experience a mind blowing mineral journey around the world at the Freudenstein Castle in Freiberg
Silberbergwerk Freiberg, Reiche Zeche (Freiberg)
tourist mine and mining museum with marvellous minerals (fluorite and barite) on display
Rammelsberg (Goslar)
tourist mine and mining museum with minerals on display
Mineralogisches Museum der Universität Hamburg (Hamburg)
approximately 1500 mineralogical objects are exhibited
Die Lagerstättensammlung der Wismut GmbH (Hartenstein)
about 1800 minerals and rocks, mainly from old, local uranium mines, are on display. Visits mainly by appointment only (see website)
Werra Kalibergbau Museum (Heringen, Werra)
tourist mine and mining museum with minerals on display
Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe (Karlsruhe)
the mineral collection of the museum counts about 40 000 specimens
Geologisches und Mineralogisches Museum (Kiel)
geological and mineralogical museum of the University of Kiel
Erlebnis Bergwerk Merkers (Krayenberggemeinde)
tourist mine with large natural salt crystals to be seen in their crystal cave
Mineralogisches Museum (Marburg)
nice mineral museum of the Philipps-Universität located in Marburg
Mineralogische Staatssammlung München (München)
Museum Reich der Kristalle with minerals, gems, meteorites, temporary exhibits
Mineralogisches Museum der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität (Münster)
minerals, including a systematic collection according to Strunz
Mineralienmuseum Oberwolfach (Oberwolfach)
mining and mineralogy museum, including a collection of minerals from the Black Forrest (Schwarzwald)
Public and private collections in Oberpfalz-Nord
linked list of public and private collections in this area of Germany
Bergbaumuseum und Besucherbergwerk Ramsbeck (Ramsbeck, Sauerland)
minerals of the Ramsbeck mining district and other areas, mining museum, tourist mine
Besucherbergwerk “Grube Wohlfahrt“ (Rescheid, Eifel)
tourist mine. Minerals of the Wohlfahrt mine on display
Kristallmuseum Riedenburg (Riedenburg)
Large diamond replica collection, sets of slices of large tourmalines, 7.8 tonnes quartz crystal group, and much more!
Vulkanhaus Strohn (Strohn)
museum focussed on volcanism
Deutsches Goldmuseum (Theuern, Thuringen)
gold geology, history, exploration, mining
Museum Kunstsammlungen Zwickau (Zwickau)
the minerals are shown in a systematic collection, a regional collection and an esthetic collection
Milos mining museum (Adamas, Milos)
local mining museum with quite a few interesting Greek minerals on display
Museum of Mineralogy and Petrology (Athens)
faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment of the Athens University. The oldest Museum of Greece. Collections were established in 1835
Mineralogical Museum of Lavrion (Lavrion)
the museum has over 3,200 specimens. 740 mineral samples of unique beauty (representing 220 mineral species) are on display
The volcanological museum of Nisyros (Nisyros)
mainly about volcanology, but also some interesting rock and mineral specimens on display
Stamatiadis Mineralogy and Paleontology Museum (Rhodes)
both local, Greek and worldwide mineral specimens on display
Museum of Minerals & Fossils (Santorini)
mainly fossils, but most likely also some minerals on display
Herman Otto Museum (Miskolc)
collection of Hungarian minerals
Ásványmúzeum (Siófok)
Mineral Museum of the Carpathian Basin - Kövecses Collection
Huldustein (Höfn)
the museum has a nice collection of rocks and minerals of mainly Iceland on display
Volcano Museum (Stykkishólmur)
The museum includes works of art, old and new, showing volcanic eruptions, as well as objects, artifacts, volcanic rocks
Gargoti Mineral Museum (Sinnar, Maharashtra)
Indian zeolites, worldwide minerals, rocks from the moon and mars, fossils and carvings
Natural History Museum of the National Museum of Ireland (Dublin)
the Royal Dublin Society was founded in 1731 and started collecting minerals soon after. Today, these specimens are part of the Natural History collections of this museum
Mineralogy and Petrology collection of the Hebrew University (Jerusalem)
this collection consists of over 6,500 mineral specimens from all over the world and more than 13,000 rock samples from Israel and other countries
Naturmuseum Südtirol - Museo di Scienze Naturali (Bolzano)
the museum includes a mineral collection of about 9000 specimens
Museo Mineralogico Naturalistico di Bormio (Bormio)
minerals from the Alps and from abroad
Museo Mineralogia e Litologia di Firenze (Florence)
mineralogical Mmuseum of the University of Florence as part of the Museo di Storia Naturale
Mineralogical Museum (Lanzada)
The collection has mainly regional minerals (Valmalenco, Sondrio Province, Italian Alps), including type locality minerals artinite and brugnatellite, as well as the famous demantoids.
Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano (Milan)
Italian minerals are well represented in this natural history museum, along with specimens from Madagascar, Malawi, Faeroe Islands, etc.
Museo di Archeologia e Scienze Naturali "G. Zannato" (Montecchio Maggiore, Vicenza)
archeology and natural history museum, also with mineralogy collections and exhibits
Museo di Mineralogia, Università degli Studi di Padova (Padua)
the museum hosts mineral specimens from all over the world, including some notable collections from Faroe Islands, Elba Island and Tirol
Bergbau Welt Ridnaun Schneeberg (Ridnaun, South Tyrol)
tourist mine and mining museum with local minerals on display
Museo di Mineralogia, Universita "La Sapienza" (Roma/Rome)
the museum was founded in 1804 and today houses about 34 000 mineral specimens
Museum Kirchler (St.Johann, Ahrntal, Italy)
about 1000 beautiful Alpine specimens found in the Eastern Alps are on display
Mineralienmuseum Teis (Teis, South Tyrol)
small but nice mineral museum with mainly local minerals
Museo Mineralogico Monzoni (Vigo di Fassa)
mineral museum mainly focused on the minerals of the Dolomites and the Fassa Valley
Ikuno Mineral Museum (Ikuno near Asago)
Museum dedicated to this ancient silver mine. More info: https://www.mindat.org/loc-11621.html
Fossa Magna geology museum (Itoigawa)
The Fossa Magna geology museum in Itoigawa is one of the best I've seen anywhere (Petrov, 2022, Mindat messageboard)
Yamanashi Gem Museum (Kawaguchi-ko)
gem and mineral museum, with both Japanese and worldwide minerals. Labels almost exclusively in Japanese
Masutomi Geology Museum (Kyoto)
rock and mineral museum. Most labels also mention the mineral names in English
National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo)
the museum also has quite a few minerals on display
Geological Museum (Tsukuba Science City)
Geological Survey of Japan
mim museum (Beirut)
museum showing the private collection of exquisite mineral specimens of Mr. Salim Eddé
Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle (Luxembourg)
the museum has quite a few exceptional mineral specimens on permanent display
Kristall Galerie (Swakopmund)
this architecturally astute gallery features some of the planet’s most incredible crystal formations, including the largest quartz crystal that has ever been found
Kristalmuseum Borculo (Borculo)
minerals, crystals, gems, fossils
Oertijdmuseum De Groene Poort (Boxtel)
the Oertijdmuseum is the largest geology museum of the Netherlands, with permanent displays of fossils, rocks and minerals
Museon (Den Haag)
Over 4 000 specimens in the collection. About 180 minerals on display throughout the museum
De Oude Aarde (Giethoorn)
minerals, fossils
Mineralogisch Museum Grou (Grou, Friesland)
the museum has about 40 display cases showing minerals from all over the world
Teylers Museum (Haarlem)
mineralogical collection from the 18th century in the oval room
Geologisch Museum Hofland (Laren, Noord Holland)
rocks, fossils, minerals, geology
Naturalis (Leiden)
unfortunately not that many minerals; plenty of fossils, dinosaurs (including a T-rex) and geology
Geologie Museum Losser (Losser)
On display are the most beautiful fossils ever found in the area. So far no (local) minerals on display yet.
Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht (Maastricht)
mostlty geology and fossils
The Prehistoric Flint Mines of Rijckholt - St. Geertruid (Rijckholt)
The Neolithic flint mining industry in the Netherlands is of the same rank as that of other well-known Neolithic mines in Europe. The mines can be visited.
Natuurhistorisch Museum (Rotterdam)
No minerals! Only fossils and other things of interest on display in this museum
De prehistorische vuursteenmijnen van Valkenburg aan de Geul (Valkenburg)
Not a museum, but the site where 7 Neolithic flint mines were found during road constructions. The mines can only be observed from the outside.
Gelders Geologisch Museum (Velp)
the museum has a nice mineral collection on display (arranged according to Strunz). It also has micromineral collections that can be studied on the spot
Blaafarveværket (Åmot i Modum)
Cobalt mining Museum (cobalt was used to make the blue dye for the porcelain and glass industries)
Mineralparken (Hornnes)
amusement park focusing on minerals and rocks. Kids can search for rocks, touch them and learn about them
Mineral exhibit inside a mountain
Norsk Bergverksmuseum (Kongsberg)
this museum documents more than 335 years of silver mining in the famous Kongsberg silver mines
Agder Naturmuseum (Kristiansand)
the Agder Natural History Museum also has minerals and rocks on display
Fossheim Steinsenter (Lom)
focus on Norwegian specimens: over 700 mineral species and 30 different gems on display
Næs Jernverksmuseum (Nesgrenda)
Naes Ironworks was in operation from 1665-1959 and is currently the best preserved of the old Norwegian ironworks
Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalparksenter (Oppstryn)
geological park displaying a nice collection of local Norwegian rocks
Geology Museum (Oslo)
the geology museum of the University of Oslo houses both a fossil and a mineral exhibition
Evje og Hornnes geomuseum Fennefoss (Rysstad)
museum with a focus on Norwegian minerals, with lots of local mineral specimens on display
Slemmestad Geologisenter (Slemmestad)
Geological Cemter and Cement museum with minerals and rocks on display
Mineralogy and Geology Museums in Lima, Peru
detailed information on the 4 Mineralogy and Geology Museums located in Lima, Peru:
- Museo Andrés Del Castillo
- Museo de Mineralogía y Paleontología
- Museo Geologico “George Petersen”
- Museo “Mina Modelo”
Muzeum Mineralogiczne Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego (Wroclaw)
Mineralogical Museum of the University of Wroclaw, has over 30000 objects, including Polish minerals, meteorites, tektites and precious stones
Polish Academy of Sciences Museum of the Earth in Warsaw (Warsaw)
minerals, meteorites, amber, etc.
Geological Museum (Warsaw)
rock collections, numerous specimens of minerals and fossils arranged in thematic exhibitions
Museu da Ciência - Universidade de Coimbra (Coimbra)
the collection of the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra holds nearly 5000 foreign and Portuguese minerals
Museu Geológico de Lisboa (Lisbon)
Museu do Quartzo (Viseu)
Monte Palace Museum (Funchal, Madeira)
There are around 700 mineral samples on display, mostly from Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Zambia, Peru, Argentina and North America.
Mineralogisches Museum Baia Mare (Baia Mare)
over 1500 mineral specimens
Mineralogy and Petrography Museum "Grigore Cobălcescu" (Iasi)
More than 25000 samples from the territory of Romania and all over the world. The oldest samples belong to the Krantz collection, purchased by Prof. Grigore Cobălcescu in 1888.
Museum of Mineralogy (Cluj-Napoca)
mineralogy museum of the Babes-Bolyai University
Fersman Mineralogical Museum (Moscow)
worldwide mineral collections include more then 135 000 items
The Gem Museum (Singapore)
the museum features gems and minerals from around the world, including the much revered painite and alexandrite
Bleloch Geological Museum (Johannesburg)
this Museum of the University of Witwatersrand houses a spectacular collection of rock and mineral specimens
National Geoscience Museum (Pretoria)
the South African National Geoscience Museum was established in 1897, with its doors being opened to the public for the first time in 1905
List of mineralogical museums and university collections in Spain
Museo Mollfulleda de Mineralogia (Arenys de Mar)
a fairly small but very cosy mineral museum, based on the private collection of Joaquim Mollfulleda i Borrell
Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona (Barcelona)
opened in 2011, it shows one of the most complete mineral collections in Spain, containing around 14,000 specimens
Gavà Mines Archaeological Park (Gavà, near Barcelona)
This park allows one to visit the site of the Gavà prehistoric mines, the oldest gallery of mines in Europe, which were used to mine variscite to make body ornaments.
Tesoros Minerales de la Universidad de Huelva (Huelva)
Systematic collection, minerals from Spain, and minerals from the Huelva Province are on display at the Campus El Carmen.
Museo Geominero (Madrid)
part of the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, this museum houses over 150 years of Spanish geological research. The mineral collection has over 12000 specimens, of which about 3500 are on display
Museo Historico-Minero Don Felipe de Borbón (Madrid)
museum of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Minerales y Tesoros de la Tierra (Malaga)
the mineral resources in Malaga region, south of Spain. Collection of local minerals, rocks, ores, gemstones, fossils and mining heritage
Natural History Museum (Santiago de Compostela)
Modern museum housing the old collections of the local university. Modern exhibits of local rocks and minerals.
Museo Escuela de Soto (Soto de Sajambre, León)
more info on this school museum and it's (mineral) collections can be found here
Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Álava (Vitoria-Gasteiz)
A natural history museum located in Northern Spain. Over 90% of the more than 21 000 specimens are Spanish and more than 2000 species are present.
Colección de Minerales de la Facultad de Ciencias (Zaragoza)
Both historical and educational mineral specimens are on display in an aula of the Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra (in the Geology Building).
Swedish Museum of Natural History (Stockholm)
department of mineralogy
Aargau
Eisenbergwerk Herznach (Herznach)
old iron ore visitor mine illustrates the history of iron ore mining in the upper Fricktal in connection with the geology and the landscape
Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Mineralienausstellung Säntisgipfel (Urnäsch) deals with mineralogical, palaeontological and geological topics of the Alpstein (Säntis Mountains, Northeast Switzerland)
Bern
Natural History Museum (Bern, Canton of Bern)
minerals, including those from the Swiss Alps
Goldkammer Schweiz (Burgdorf)
collection includes gold samples in a wide variety of forms, including washing gold and gold nuggets from various streams and rivers in Switzerland and abroad, as well as crystallized gold from Europe, Canada, the USA and Australia
Kristallkluft Gerstenegg (Innertkirchen)
the unique crystal cavern Gerstenegg is approximately 1,5 km in the interior of the Grimsel massif and it is the only cavern in the Alps accessible in its original form
Museum der Landschaft Hasli (Meiringen)
the museum exhibits beautiful crystal groups and individual pieces that have been found in Hasli over the past few years
Kristallkeller (Reichenbach)
mainly Alpine minerals on display
BEO Mineralien Museum (Wimmis)
contains a large variety of crystals, minerals and fossils from the Bernese Oberland (BEO) and other regions of Switzerland and international exhibits are on display. Kristallmuseum Guttannen (Guttannen)
2000 minerals from the Grimsel area on display
Baselland
Museum.BL (Liestal)
paleontological, mineralogical, zoological and botanical collections can be found in its holdings, it has around 700 minerals
Basel-Stadt
Naturhistorisches Museum Basel (Basel)
the mineral collection represents a cross-section of the mineral types occurring worldwide, around 1800 are represented in the collection of the museum
Freiburg
Naturhistorisches Museum Freiburg (NHMF) (Freiburg)
the mineralogical collection comprises 15700 inventory numbers with material from all parts of the world, alpine and systematic minerals, Binntal minerals, meteorites and fossils
Genève
Muséum d'histoire naturelle (Geneva)
natural history museum with mineral collection
Graubünden
Bündner Naturmuseum (Chur)
regional Alpine minerals, gold from Graubünden
Bergbaumuseum Graubünden (Davos)
museum of local and cantonal mining history Mineralien-Museum Cristallina (Disentis)
on display are about 500 regional mineral specimens
Museum Alpin Chesa Delnon (Pontresina)
minerals from Oberengadin, Puschlav and Bergell
Museum La Truaisch (Sedrun)
regional minerals and minerals of the Gotthard tunnel
Museo Bregaglia Ciasa Granda (Stampa Val Bregaglia)
minerals from the Bergell area
Luzern
Naturmuseum Luzern (Luzern)
general mineralogy and minerals of the Alps
Neuchâtel
Muséum d’histoire naturelleNaturmuseum Luzern (Neuchâtel)
insects, stuffed animals, shells, fossils, minerals
Schwyz
Mineralienmuseum Einsiedeln (Einsiedeln)
Minerals from Switzerland and worldwide
Solothurn
Naturmuseum Olten (Olten)
general mineralogy, minerals of the Jura area, fossils
Naturmuseum Solothurn (Soloturn)
the focus of the minerals shown is on the Jura minerals
St. Gallen
Naturmuseum St Gallen (Sankt Gallen)
displays of large mineral crystals, minerals of the Alpstein, and fossils
Schweizer Mineralienwelt (Uzwil)
more than 620 exhibited Swiss minerals are housed in a total of 15 showcases, arranged according to their localities
Ticino
Grotta dei minerali (Bedretto)
In artificially created crystal grottos, you can admire finds from ticino fissures in particular
Museo Nazionale del San Gottardo (Gotthard)
Alpine minerals of the Gotthard area
Museo Cantonale di storia naturale (Lugano)
minerals from Ticino
Sasso San Gotardo (Gotthard)
historical ortress, also collection of large quartz crystals
Uri
Uri's crystal museum (Seedorf)
said to be the most exceptional and fascinating mineral museum in Switzerland
Vaud
Musée des minéraux et des fossiles (Rougemont)
displays of worldwide minerals, quartz, calcite and precious stones
Musée Cantonal de Géologie (Lausanne)
Alpine and other minerals
Wallis / Valais
Binn Regionalmuseum (Binn)
the basement of this museum has an extensive display of minerals from the Binn Valley. Lengenbach minerals are well represented
Mineralienmusuem Gorsatt (Binn)
minerals from the Binntal area
Musée des sciences de la Terre (Martigny)
minerals from the Canton of Wallis
Strahler Museum Werner Schmidt (Mörel)
there are over 700 specimens, all of which were found by Strahler Werner Schmidt
Schweizer Strahlermuseum (Naters)
the aim of the museum is to make visible the search for minerals in the Swiss mountains
Zurich
Goldmuseum Siber+Siber (Aathal)
the impressive gold collection of the company Siber+Siber is on public display
Naturmuseum Winterthur (Winterthur)
Minerals from Switzerland and worldwide localities
ETH Earth Sciences Collections (Zurich)
the collections were started in 1746 and are still going strong today. Many specimens can be seen online as well
Gold Museum (Jinguashi, New Taipei City)
Museum on gold, opened in 2023. A report of a visit to this museum can be found here.
Museum of Geosciences of the Onsekiz Mart University (Canakkale)
its primarily aim is to serve students and lovers of nature exhibiting the collections of the various types of minerals, rocks, gemstones and fossils
Geo-mineralogical museum (Odessa)
pride of the prewar Odessa National University. Considered one of the best in Europe regarding meteorites. Many specimens on display, as well as old instruments.
Lapworth Museum of Geology (Birmingham)
one of the oldest geological museums in the UK. The mineralogy collections contain about 12,000 mineral specimens
Sedgwick Museum, University of Cambridge (Cambridge)
originating in the 17th century, this historically important collection contains around 50,000 minerals from around the world in a wonderful contemporary setting
National Museum Wales (Cardiff, Wales)
Department of Geology
Treasures of the Earth (Corpach, Scotland)
quote from their website: "One of Europe’s finest private collections of crystals, gemstones and fossils"
National Museums of Scotland (Edinburgh, Scotland)
minerals, gemstones and rocks
Hunterian Museum (Glasgow)
the museum has important collections: William Hunter (one of the few surviving 18th century mineral collections), Thomas Brown, Frederick Eck, Frank Rutley (the author of Rutley’s Elements of Mineralogy), etc.
Haslemere Educational Museum (Haslemere, Surrey)
the mineral collection is over 5,000 specimens, mostly from British localities. It includes a diverse range of minerals and is the largest collection of its type in the county of Surrey
Museum of lead mining (Leadhills, Scotland)
including a real 18th century lead mine set deep in the hillside where visitors can experience the thrill of going underground
New Walk Museum (Leicester)
Come face-to-face with the Rutland dinosaur – 10ft high and 165 million years old! Museum Crush has named the New Walk Museum as one of the best places in Britain to see dinosaurs and fossils!
Natural History Museum (London)
mineralogy department
The Manchester Museum of the University of Manchester (Manchester)
The mineral collection contains a wide range of stunning specimens, which include meteorites, gemstones, ore samples and rare minerals
Oxford University Museum of Natural History (Oxford)
around 30 000 specimens from localities worldwide
Staffin Museum (Staffin, Island of Skye, Scotland)
the museum displays dinosaur fossils, stone age artefacts, minerals, crystals and agricultural implements
Arizona
Pinal Geology Museum (Coolidge)
mineral reference collection fills the "back room" of the museum, and more. Four walls of cases feature spectacular specimens from Arizona, Australia, and around the world
Arizona Museum of Natural History (Mesa)
collections available by appointment and include a "Minerals with Arizona Type Localities Collection" as well as comparative collections of copper, lead and silicon minerals
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson)
Sonoran Desert region gem, mineral and fossil collection totaling 14,095 catalogued specimens, some nice ones on display
University of Arizona Mineral Museum (Tucson)
located in the Flandrau Science Center, the collection currently represents 1,561 different species with over 2,000 minerals on display
Arkansas
Matilda & Karl Pfeiffer Museum (Piggot)
more than 1400 worldwide mineral specimens and geodes, many on display
California
Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Museum (Fallbrook)
displays of local San Diego County minerals (tourmalines!) and their rough & cut sets
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (Los Angeles)
mineral sciences exhibits, including a systematic mineral display
California State Mining and Mineral Museum (Mariposa)
on the importance of mining and minerals to the history of California
San Diego Natural History Museum (San Diego)
minerals from southern California and minerals from around the world, including about 15000 specimens of minerals and precious gems
California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco)
collection of about 40,000 mineral specimens. A new permanent mineral display will open in Sept 2016 in the third floor gallery at the Academy
Colorado
Denver Museum of Nature & Science (Denver)
Department of Earth Sciences
Geology Museum at the Colorado School of Mines (Golden)
approximately 50,000 minerals, fossils, gemstones, and artifacts
Connecticut
Connecticut Museum of Mining & Mineral Science (Kent)
collections of noteworthy minerals from Connecticut, and displays on local decorative building stone, mining and smelting artifacts, technology and history
Peabody Museum of Natural History (New Haven)
Yale University
Delaware
Mineralogical Museum (Newark)
mineralogical museum of the University of Delaware
Florida
Gillespie Museum at Stetson University (DeLand)
over 15,000 minerals (worldwide, Florida, fluorescent), rocks and fossils; one of the oldest and largest collections in southeast USA
Georgia
Tellus Science Museum (White, Georgia)
Georgia gems, minerals, & fossils
Hawaii
Lyman Museum (Hilo)
the public display of the collection is organized by crystal systems rather than the usual Dana classification
Illinois
Field Museum (Chicago)
minerals, gems, jade
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art (Oak Brook)
more than 200 pieces of jade and other hard stone carvings from around the world
Fryxell Geology Museum at the Augustana College (Rock Island)
the museum, named after Dr. Fritiof Fryxell, has become one of the largest and finest collections of rocks, minerals and fossils in the Midwest
Funk Prairie Home Museum (Shirley)
LaFayette Funk II started collecting minerals at age 53. Nevertheless, he amassed a huge and diverse collection of minerals, gems, and fossils. The museum represents some of the most beautiful, strange and exotic minerals most people have ever seen.
Kansas
Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum (Baxter Springs)
The museum is filled with exhibits depicting the various stages of the city's history from the days of the Osage Indians through the Civil War and the lead and zinc mining era.
Galena Mining & Historical Museum (Galena)
Housed in the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas train depot, this museum contains items of local history and numerous artifacts from the days of lead and zinc mining.
Kansas University Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum (Lawrence)
There's a small mineral display (mainly fluorescent species), but the fossil displays are superb, including complete skeletons of a mosasaur, an ichtyosaur, several giant fossil fishes, etc.
Kentucky
Clement Mineral Museum (Marion)
a collection composed of thousands of fluorite crystal specimens
Maine
Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (Bethel)
fine mineral and gem collections from Maine and throughout the globe, including the Perham Collection
Massachusetts
Rausch Mineral Gallery, University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
located in the Department of Geosciences, the Gallery displays more than 250 superb specimens from the mineral collection of the late Professor Marvin Rausch
Harvard Mineralogical & Geological Museum (Cambridge)
about 4,000 of the finest specimens are displayed in the mineral gallery
Michigan
Wayne State University Geology Mineral Museum (Detroit)
Home to over 350 artifacts on display spanning a collection of nearly 50 agates from across the globe. The museum also features a private collection once owned by Thomas Edison and a display of antique miners' lamps dating as far back as the 1800s
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum (Houghton)
the official Mineral Museum of Michigan. An extensive worldwide mineral collection with a world-class suite of specimens from Michigan and the Great Lakes region
Missouri
Granby Miners Museum (Granby)
The museum documents and preserves the history of one of the oldest mining towns in southwest Missouri
Joplin Museum (Joplin)
The Everett J. Ritchie Tri-State Mineral Museum has one of the world’s most exceptional collections of minerals found in the Tri-State Mining District
Missouri Mines State Historic Site (Park Hills)
With exhibits on lead, geology and mineral resources, and featuring an outstanding systematic mineral collection, as well as an array of fluorescent minerals.
Montana
BMG Museum (Butte)
the museum of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology now holds about 13,000 specimens, of which about 1000 are on display
Nebraska
University of Nebraska State Museum (Lincoln)
this natural history museum also houses rocks and minerals displays
Nevada
W. M. Keck Museum (Reno)
Mackay School of Mines Building at the University of Nevada, Reno houses an outstanding collection of minerals, ores and photographs, in addition to mining related relics
New Jersey
Franklin Mineral Museum (Franklin)
over 4000 mineral specimens on systematic display, including fluorescent minerals
The Sterling Hill Mining Museum (Ogdensburg)
fluorescent minerals; part of The Sterling Hill Mining Museum
Morris Museum (Morristown)
The Morris Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate and has an Earth Science Gallery where some of the best specimens on display in New Jersey can be enjoyed.
New Mexico
Museum of Natural History & Science (Albuquerque)
no online information regarding minerals on display at this museum
The Sherman Dugan Museum of Geology (Farmington)
exhibits featuring minerals and fossils from around the world, historical mining artifacts, geological and engineering features of petroleum exploration and extraction, and more
The Zuhl Museum (Las Cruces)
part art gallery, part natural history museum, the Zuhl Museum at NMSU is the home of the Zuhl Collection containing over 1,800 beautiful specimens of petrified wood, fossils and minerals
Miles Mineral Museum (Portales)
most of the specimens on display are from the original Miles Collection. Additional specimens have been obtained through donations and purchases
New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Museum (Socorro)
the main exhibit hall, constructed in 2015, highlights top-quality minerals from New Mexico, the United States, and around the world. Over 5000 mineral specimens are on display
New York
New York State Museum (Albany)
the mineral collection of the New York State Museum contains approximately 30000 specimens
American Museum of Natural History (New York City)
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Collections of minerals, gems, meteorites, ores, rocks, and xenoliths
North Carolina
Colburn Earth Science Museum (Asheville)
mineral crystals and gemstones from North Carolina and around the world
Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County (Hendersonville)
minerals of North Carolina, geodes, fossils
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh)
the geology collection numbers approximately 7500 mostly North Carolina specimens
Ohio
Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum (Youngstown)
mineral museum on the campus of Youngstown State University with approximately 450 specimenson display, and thousands in storage
Crystal Cave (Put-In-Bay, South Bass Island)
Also known as "The World's Largest Geode". The walls of this cave are covered in strontium sulfate, a blueish mineral called celestite. These crystals range from 8 to 18 inches long.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Cleveland)
Department of Mineralogy. Approximately 35,000 specimens of minerals, rocks, ores, lapidary arts, gemstones and meteorites from locations all over the world
Oregon
Crater Rock Museum (Central Point)
a large collection of minerals (many world class) and fossils (very good display of the fossil record of plant evolution)
Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals (Hillsboro)
rocks and minerals
Pennsylvania
The Bryn Mawr College Mineral Collections (Bryn Mawr)
one of the finest collections in the USA of minerals from Pennsylvania and around the world. There are 1500 minerals on exhibit
Masters Mineral Gallery (Elizabethtown)
numerous specimens from around the world, from quarries in Pennsylvania to the Andamooka Ranges of South Australia. The displays are grouped to accent subcollections such as fluorite, quartz and fluorescent minerals
Delaware County Institute of Science (Media)
the displays and research collections of minerals include many from famous localities in Delaware County, United States and the World
Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh)
Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems
Earth & Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery (University Park)
collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils totaling over 22000 specimens
South Dakota
Black Hills Institute of Geological Research (Hill City)
mineral collection with special emphasis on the local finds. Great agate display. Some local mineral specimens for sale
Museum of Geology (Rapid City)
exhibits of minerals of South Dakota (especially the Black Hills) and worldwide specimens. Fluorescent mineral exhibit. Fossils from the Badlands and surrounding region, meteorites, Kids Zone, museum shop. Free admission.
Texas
Texas Memorial Museum (Austin)
the Texas Memorial Museum on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin contains minerals, meteorites, and fossils
Perot Museum of Nature and Sciences (Dallas)
fairly new museum with a nice mineral building with many fabulous displays
Houston Museum of Natural Science (Houston)
more than 750 beautifully crystallized mineral specimens, including some of the world's rarest and most beautiful examples
The Petroleum Museum (Midland)
the Petroleum Museum’s Mineral Gallery opened in December 2012 to showcase nature’s most beautiful wonders
Utah
Utah Museum of Natural History (Salt Lake City)
more than 5000 specimens from all over the world, including Utah and surrounding regions
Virginia
Museum of Geosciences (Blacksburg)
housed by the Department of Geosciences of Virginia Tech.
James Madison University Mineral Museum (Harrisonburg)
over 500 crystals and gemstones from around the world
Washington, DC
The Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC)
the Smithsonian has many must see exhibits of minerals, gems, rocks, volcanoes, and meteorites
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Geology Museum (Madison)
free to visit, welcomes visitors of all ages. Come discover the amazing history, geology and mineralogy of our planet
Weis Earth Science Museum (Menasha)
walk through a lead-mine tunnel, explore Wisconsin's mining history, discover how Native Americans mined copper, learn how we use rocks and minerals, marvel at beautiful minerals
Milwaukee Public Museum (Milwaukee)
the MPM's geology collections had their origin in the 1850s. Today they house about 35,000 rocks, minerals and meteorites
R. Harder Gallery of Gems and Minerals (Neenah)
the collection was started in 1994 and claims to be one of the US's largest private collection of minerals and gemstones in their natural form
