Aside from the Special Exhibits showcased upstairs, the University of Arizona Mineral Museum also has a permanent museum showcase in the basement with an impressive collection. I had not been down here for several years, and on my previous trip my impression was that the exhibits were outdated and not so impressive. I was pleasantly surprised to see many of the cases refurbished with some new modern cases and interesting minerals. If you are visiting Tucson, it's definitely a worthwhile visit to go downstairs in the museum to view the permanent mineral collection.

Huge
Calcite With Oriented
Pyrite from Chenzou Pref., Hunan Prov. China
Fluorite Rainbow Arch from the De'an Mine, Wushan, Jiangxi Prov, China
Twinned Calcite from the 884 Mine, Leiping, Hunan Prov., China

Minerals of Afghanistan & Pakistan from the Collection of Gene Meieran

Deep Pink
Kunzite and
Elbaite from Kunar Province, Afghanistan (from the above case)

Copper Minerals from the Ed David Collection.
This Exhibit was Put on Display at the Tucson Show, and is Empty in the Meantime.
Click Here to View the Post Where this Display can be Seen.
Platinum Nugget from Nizhnii Tagil, Sverdlovsk, Russia

Exhibit Case of
Gold Specimens from California

Amazing
Brochantite from the Millpillas Mine, Sonora, Mexico
Cassiterite Var.
Wood Tin from Durango, Mexico

Fascinating
Cerussite from the Flux Mine, Patagonia, Arizona

Polished
Linarite from the Collins Vein, Mammoth Mine, Tiger, Arizona
Sphalerite and
Galena from the Iron Cap Mine, Landsman Camp, Arizona

Minerals of the Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

Mottramite from the Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico, found in 2011
Paradamite from the Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico, found in 2011
Iridescent Goethite from the Lavendar Pit, Bisbee, Arizona
Calcite with
Malachite Inclusions Bisbee, Arizona