Mineralogy

The Department of Mineralogy holds collections covering all inorganic crystalline materials that come from the earth (rocks and minerals) and outer space (meteorites and one moon rock!), as well as a few collections of mineraloids (amber, opal, coal, etc.) and synthetic industrial minerals (quartz, corundum, salts, etc.).

Our lapidary collection of polished stones and faceted gems covers both natural and synthetic materials. With over 35,000 cataloged specimens from around the world, and some dating back to the early 1800’s, the collections are historical as well as scientific. Many of the ore deposits suites are from localities that no longer exist. Besides beauty, we are preserving within these specimens the geologic records of our Earth’s history. 

Research being conducted in the department ranges from collections based research on the origin of agates, to the mineral composition of caddisfly mobile cases.

The Department has a Zeiss Ultraphot and Nikon E400 POL microscopes, and a full thin-section and mineral-preparation laboratory. And, through collaboration, we have access to a Phillips x-ray powder diffractometer in the Department of Geology at Case Western Reserve University, down the street.

Both the research lab and collections area are located off the main galleries and are open to viewing by our patrons through plate-glass windows. Volunteers can be seen cataloging specimens and cutting, grinding, and analyzing the mineralogy of rock specimens with an Ultraphot polarizing microscope.

When we are in the office, we offer free visual identifications of rock and mineral specimens. Phase identifications through thin section and/or XRPD are also available for a fee. 

The Department of Mineralogy offers programs giving an opportunity for a more in-depth look at the discipline. Undergraduate students interested in a paid summer internship in this discipline are encouraged to investigate the Adopt-A-Student program.