The Smithsonian gem and mineral collection contains an amazing array of Gold, Silver, and rare metal compounds. Many of the Gold and Silver specimens are among the finest for their localities, and there are also many examples from unusual localities. While not all the minerals show here are composed of precious metals, they are still rare and unusual examples of metallic compounds, especially sulfosalts.
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Jordanite, Lengenbach Quarry, Binntal, Switzerland
Jamesonite with
Calcite, Cavnic, Maramures, Romania
Bournonite, Quiruvilca, Peru
Dyscrasite with
Stibarsen from Pribram, Czech Republic
Hessite with Quartz, Botes Transylvania, Romania
Enargite with Pyrite, Butte, Montana
Polybasite from the Las Chispas Mine, Arizpe, Sonoroa, Mexico
Exhibit Case of
Silver and
Copper
Thick
Silver Wire with
Calcite, Batopilas, Chihuahua, Mexico
Silver "S" Wire from Dreikonigsstein, Lahr, Baden-Wurttenberg, Germany
Exhibit Case of
Gold
Gold Nugget, Whitehall Mine, Spotsylvania Co., Virginia
Large
Gold Nugget (898.4 grams), Telegraph Mine, California
Hoppered
Gold Crystal, Amador Co., California
