MINERAL SCIENCES COLLECTION INFORMATION

The Mineral Sciences collections include minerals, rocks, meteorites, gems, and related synthetic materials. In overall significance the mineral collection probably ranks 4th in the United States and it is the most important west of Washington, D.C. The gem collection ranks 3rd in the country after those at the National Museum of Natural History and the American Museum of Natural History. Besides a fine worldwide representation the greatest strengths of the mineral collection are minerals from California, native gold, and gem crystals. The collections are being actively augmented principally through purchases and donations.

• Size: Approximately 150,000 specimens, including more than 140,000 minerals (nearly 100,000 of which are micromounts), 3,000 rocks, 3,000 gems, and 45 meteorites. Fourteen (14) type specimens.
• Taxonomic coverage: Approximately 2,000 out of about 4,000 known species.
• Geographic coverage: The collection is worldwide in scope, with a specialization in California.
• Accession and loan policy: Collection materials are acquired through purchase, donation, and exchange. Exchanges are transacted only with other institutions, not with private individuals or dealers. Loans are available for exhibition or scientific research to appropriate organizations and institutions.
• Computerization: Because of rapid collection growth in recent years only about 30% of the specimens in the department's holdings are computerized.
• Brief history: In the early years, the collection grew primarily through the donation of numerous small collections. The most important of these was from the Los Angeles Chamber of Mines and Oils (in 1921) and included many fine specimens from Bisbee, Arizona. A stronger commitment to building the mineral sciences collection began in the 1970's resulting in a rapid growth of the collection through donations and purchases. The most significant mineral collections received in recent years have been those of Mark and Jean Bandy (1977-1980), Ben Chromy (1985), George Tunell (1989 & 1994), Jessie Hardman (2000), Julius Weber / Louis Perloff (2005), and Ben Frankenberg (2006). In recent years, numerous donations of high-quality display specimens by Mr. & Mrs. Hyman Savinar and Mr. Melvin S. Hindin have greatly enhanced the collection. The gem collection was initiated through a series of gifts between 1953 and 1961 from a Los Angeles jeweler, William E. Phillips. Major collections from Col. Frederick C. Hixon (1971-1977) and John Jago Trelawney (1988) elevated the Museum's gem collection to world-class stature.

Graph showing the growth of the gem and mineral collection

Inquiries regarding the Museum's gem and mineral collection should be directed to the Collections Manager, Dorothy L. Ettensohn.