Mineralogy Department
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. This specimen is from Ontario, Canada and is displayed in the collections of the Natural History Museum.
We study minerals in order to understand processes which occur in the natural environment. These processes include pollutant dispersion, the formation of valuable natural resources, such as ores, the tectonic processes which have shaped the Earth, and the processes which gave rise to the planets as the Solar System formed. Chemical, physical and, in some instances, biological, particularly microbiological, interactions are involved in these processes.
Minerals are naturally occurring chemical compounds. They make up rocks, meteorites and, with organic matter, soils. About 4,000 mineral species are known and 50 or so new ones are identified each year. We contribute to identifying new minerals and to understanding how the composition, structure and properties of minerals are inter-related, and we use this knowledge when studying natural processes.
We continue to develop our world-class collections of minerals, ores, meteorites, rocks and soils to provide materials for research and as a representation of nature’s ‘geodiversity’ which can be used in exhibitions and other activities for the public. We maintain state-of-the-art laboratories for analysing and imaging minerals and other natural history specimens. These laboratories, together with our collections, provide the critical infrastructure for our research, for visiting scientists and for our training of postgraduate students. We undertake and collaborate on research and consultancy throughout the world. We run the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Mineral Studies (CERCAMS). Our meteorite collection provides material for research from Mars and the Moon and from the earliest bodies to form in the Solar System 4.56 billion years ago.
Natures Treasures II: the Wonder of Minerals and Gems
Sunday 13 December 2009
10:00 am — 4:00 pm
The Flett Theatre
Natural History Museum, London
More details PDF (123.0 KB)
National Treasures IIDepartmental info
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Contact us
Mineralogy Department
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 5BD
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7942 5000
email