GROWING, PRESERVING, USING, AND CONTAINMENT OF YOUR DEPARTMENT’S MINERAL COLLECTION

University mineral collections often consist of a variety of samples. Examples include research, teaching and display specimens. At the University of West Georgia we have greatly increased our teaching, research and display minerals by donations of three mineral collections and student faculty sampling on Experiential Learning fieldtrips to Colorado, Utah and Arkansas. The largest donation is the Frank Willis Comer mineral collection. It consists of thousands of samples that Mr. Comer either collected or purchased. Many were obtained in the 1960s. One specimen of Colombian emeralds on matrix contains five hexagonal emerald prisms. The matrix is white and grey calcite on black shale. The collection also includes rocks (marble and a dark mafic rock) that have been made into large cubes modified by a dodecahedron. Mr. Comer also made 14 large polished spheres of agate. This large donation will be highlighted in new display cabinets. Other minerals will be used in teaching mineralogy and physical geology labs.

Sampling trips when coordinated with local experts can result in obtaining excellent mineral specimens. For example, in 2012 one of our students arranged with members of the Lake George Gem and Mineral Club for students to collect on three mining clams. Research on samples resulted in many student presentations at GSA. Excellent specimens from pegmatites were collected.

On the other extreme many geological mineral collections contain surplus specimens that are multiple copies of common minerals and research samples from previous fieldtrips. What to do with extra minerals? We make and provide mineral and rock kits to local schools. We have had the mineral of the month where small specimens are offered to students. Our students make mineral and rock kits for students in our physical geology class. Containment of the mineral collection ensures its usefulness and avoids wasting storage space.