After observing the natural beauty of minerals and gems in Hillman Hall, venture into Wertz Gallery where the same natural specimens have been crafted into gemstones and jewelry. Approximately 500 gems, crystals, and pieces of jewelry are on display in the gallery’s permanent collection, which is supplemented by special exhibitions.
View beautifully crafted necklaces, extraordinary pieces of amber, large diamonds, and a full spectrum of artfully displayed birthstones. A rotating door of special exhibitions offer unusual and innovative designs including space age-inspired jewelry or garden-themed gem art.
Meet our Researchers
Travis Olds, Ph.D.
Assistant Curator of Minerals (Mineralogy)
Learn about our Mineral (Mineralogy) and Earth Sciences Collection
The Section of Minerals (Mineralogy) and Earth Sciences includes an outstanding suite of minerals from the former Soviet Union, a historically important suite of nearly 5,000 Pennsylvania minerals formerly owned by the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, and more than 2,700 Pennsylvania minerals acquired from the Bryon Brookmyer collection.
Mineral Gazing
by Debra Wilson Have you ever gazed up at the sky and noticed a cloud that looks like a face, or an …
Fungi make minerals and clean polluted water along the way!
Fungi are all around in the environment. For example, the mold that invades wet basements, the mushrooms that we cook with, and …
Roll Out the Beryl
Beryl has many different varieties that you may be familiar with, the most recognized being: Emerald (green), Heliodor (yellow), Morganite (pink), and …
Everything Pennsylvania
On May 10th a new temporary exhibit is scheduled to be installed in Wertz Gallery: Gems and Jewelry that will feature gemstones, cabochons, …
