WARRNAMBOOL GEM CLUB
SMITHSONIAN MUSUEM, WASHINGTON DC, USA, 2011 TRIP
During 2011, as part of a trip in the eastern half of the USA, I was fortunate to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, in Washington D.C. I had read that it had a fantastic mineral & gem collection, and I was not disappointed. Well worth a visit if you have the opportunity. Some of the collection is shown below, though the photos do not do the collection justice. However I am sure you will enjoy the mineral specimens and gemstones shown, I went back to the museum on 3 consecutive days to try to absorb the beauty of the collection!
A magnificent Apophyllite and Prehnite specimen.
Iron meteorite specimens showing the characteristic crystal structure.
A typical display in the museum, well labelled and lit.
Some magnificent tourmaline specimens and cut gems
A fine collection of metal/mineral specimens, showing a variety of forms.
Some botroyoidal
Hematite.
A collection of copper based minerals from the well known location of Bisbee, Arizona, U.S.A.
A closer view of some of the copper based minerals; some lovely Azurite specimens /crystals.
A specimen of Azurite with Malachite.
A close up view of some of the Malachite specimens.
Some Rhodochrosite specimens.
A magnificent collection of gold specimens, in a variety of forms. Specimens from both the U.S.A. and Australia were included.
Three magnificent ‘blue cap’ tourmaline specimens in their display cases. Close-
An impressive display of Tourmaline crystals and gems.
A close up view of some of the tourmaline gems.
More tourmaline up close!
More tourmaline up close!
Visitors admiring the collection.
An impressive display of topaz in both rough and cut form.
A close-
Spodumene crystals and faceted gems.
Beryl (aquamarine) on Albite.
A display of visually attractive mineral specimens, including beryls and topaz.
A display case featuring interesting ‘inclusions’, crystal forms etc. Many of the displays were highly informative.
Another impressive display of high quality specimens.
An enormous flourite specimen showing the crystal structure/growth.
Opal from Australia and overseas.
A display highlighting the aesthetic appeal of mineral specimens.
Botroyoidal Malachite and Azurite specimens.
An attractive display including Rhodochrosite and Varascite specimens.
Two lovely Beryl gemstones.
A Beryl (Helidor) crystal, approx. 200mm high.
Faceted beryl gemstones.
More faceted beryl gemstones.
More faceted beryl gemstones.
More faceted beryl gemstones!
Large Beryl (emerald) crystals.
Beryl (morganite).
A sapphire crystal and five faceted gems.
A spectacular specimen of Rhodonite.
This large, spectacular specimens of Rhodochrosite was a joy to behold!
Dioptase crystals on Calcite (apologies for the poor focus).
More Rhodochrosite!
More Rhodochrosite!
A display of Indian zeolites from the Poona district.
A close-
Some impressive Peridot crystals and cut gems (in excess of 300ct each).
Part of a display of zircons giving an indication of the variation in colours which occur.
Some impressive Elabaite (tourmaline) crystals.
The largest faceted Chrysoberyl gemstones I have seen!
A visitor viewing some of the Topaz specimens. It provides a good indication of the size of the items in the display.
A display of the many varieties of Quartz.
Cryptocrystalline forms of Quartz, including agates, chalcedony etc.
A 51 lb pink Topaz crystal, quite spectacular (gem quality).
Calcite specimens.
Faceted topaz gem.
Varascite nodule showing cross-
Sapphire jewellery.
Star sapphires.
Emerald jewellery, with close-
Two of the very large and spectacular fossils on display.
A display of mineral specimens (metals).