Carnegie Museum of Natural History

One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Minerals

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Did you know?

display case full of different minerals

Did you know that the Section of Minerals has the most nearly complete and comprehensive collection of Pennsylvania minerals in the world?

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A Couple of Rock Stars

Deb and Marc standing in front of a mineral display case with their prize ribbons
Above: Deb (left) and Marc (right) Wilson celebrate award for best museum exhibit at the 2017 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

After 25 years at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Curator of Collections for the Section of Minerals, Marc Wilson, retired in August 2017. Marc began managing the museum’s impressive mineral and gem collection in 1992 and greatly improved the collection and exhibition halls during his tenure.

In 2007 Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems was renovated and expanded with the addition of Wertz Gallery: Gems and Jewelry. He received the Friends of Mineralogy Award of Merit and was recognized as EFMLS Honoree for the 2001 AFMS Scholarship Award. He was inducted into the National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame in 2001 and served as a consulting editor for Rocks & Minerals since 1998. Collection Assistant Debra Wilson will now serve as Collection Manager for the Section of Minerals at Carnegie Museum.

Congrats to both Marc and Deb!

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Remember the Poppy Scene in Wizard of Oz?

Poppy jasper, a vibrant, reddish mineral
(photo by Debra Wilson)

Remember the Poppy Scene in Wizard of Oz?

These poppies are not going to put anyone to sleep.

Poppy jasper is a vibrant, reddish variation of brecciate jasper. This piece is on display in Wertz Gallery of Gems and Jewelry.

When quartz is impure and opaque, it is called jasper.