Geology Collection

Predating the Museum

The Geology Collection predates the founding of the Museum in 1879, and forms the nucleus of the original collections. The focus of the collection is North Carolina’s geological diversity. It includes gold and gold ore from pre-WWII mines, specimens from most mines that operated in the state, building stones ca.1903, and samples of every sort of gemstone ever found in the Tar Heel State. The donation of the Treasures of North Carolina collection by SAS Institute in 2006 added nearly 500 exhibit-quality specimens. Specimens from the collection support research in a variety of topics, and have also been used in asbestos litigation and archeological studies.

Interested in donatating to the Geology collection? Please read our donation policies for the Geology collection.