A selection of gemstones from Glenbow Museum's collection
Spodumene Variety Kunzite
Nuristan, Afghanistan
Some of the world's largest crystals of this gem variety of spodumene were extracted from this remote region of Asia. The mineral collection has many rough-gem to near-gem quality natural crystals such as this.
Quartz Variety Amethyst
Bahia, Brazil
200.50 carats
Extremely large gemstone cuts like this are uncommon due to the limitations of the natural crystals and their limited utility in jewellery or other settings. Glenbow Museum has several large gemstones such as this.
Quartz Variety Citrine
Minas Gerais, Brazil
754.50 carats
The mineral collection encompasses specimens from some of the most well known and important mines and mineral occurrences from all over the world, including the Society Girl Mine in British Columbia, Sterling Hill in New Jersey, the Empire Zinc Mine in Colorado, and various mines in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Polished Ammolite
Sections ready to be cut into pendant forms
Gemstones are usually cut from minerals but they can also come from organically produced sources such as pearl, coral, or amber. There are indirect organic sources as well, as in the case of ammolite. Ammolite comes from the fossilized remains of ammonite shells (squid-like marine animals).
Some of the highest quality ammolite in the world is found in southern Alberta. The Glenbow Museum Shop carries several items featuring ammolite.
