UA Mineral Museum Special Exhibit
100 Years of Arizona’s Best: The Minerals That Made The State

The UA Mineral Museum’s special exhibit, “100 Years of Arizona’s Best: The Minerals That Made The State” will commemorate Arizona’s State Centennial with a dazzling display of Arizona minerals on loan from top collectors. Arizona is famous for both its copper wealth and its mineral specimens. This exhibit celebrates the state’s rich mining history with captivating archival photos and a rare chance to see the best of Arizona’s incredible minerals gathered together in one special exhibit.

Welcome to the University of Arizona Mineral Museum

The Museum is dedicated to providing public education and the preservation of minerals and meteorites while also serving the research needs of professionals, students and collectors. The collection is world-wide in scope, but with specific emphasis on minerals from Arizona and Mexico.

Funded through Flandrau: The University of Arizona Science Center, and sponsored in part by Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society

UA Mineral Museum Special Exhibit

February 3rd, 2012

100 Years of Arizona’s Best: The Minerals That Made The State Exhibit Opens Feb 3, 2012 The UA Mineral Museum’s special exhibit, “100 Years of Arizona’s Best: The Minerals That Made The State” will commemorate Arizona’s State Centennial with a dazzling display of Arizona minerals on loan from top collectors. Arizona is famous for both [...]

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Senior Curatorial Specialist Shirley Wetmore retires

January 16th, 2009

After 30 years, Shirley Wetmore has retired from the University of Arizona Mineral Museum. It is with great sadness that the Museum sees Shirley leave.

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About Quartz


Quartz is the most abundant single mineral on earth. It makes up about 12% of the earth’s crust. It’s no wonder that quartz has gained the reputation of being the “chameleon” of gemstones. Pure quartz often called “rock crystal” was used in ancient times to make crystal balls and bowls.