Minerals

Step back in time to explore the Museum as it was in 1881 with its original oak display cabinets in the Minerals gallery.

Open daily except 24-26 December.

Free, permanent gallery.

See sparkling gems alongside raw minerals, marvel at the variety of colours, textures and shapes and learn how they’re formed.

Star specimens and exhibits

  • a polished slice of agate which reveals an internal pattern with a likeness of HM Queen Elizabeth II
  • ornamental mineral art
  • curiosities from the collection of Sir Hans Sloane
  • a 635-kilogramme iron meteorite that fell in Argentina in 1783
  • a 9,381 carat flawless blue topaz gemstone – the largest of its kind
  • and a wall display of many more meteorite specimens

Explore highlights of the geological collections in an online exhibition.

A collaboration between the Museum and Google Arts & Culture.

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