Gem Collection

Collections | Updated 4 weeks ago

Many minerals are valued and collected for their beauty, rarity, and the shape, size and perfection of their crystals. Some minerals and rocks have properties that allow them to be fashioned into gems and set in jewellery. Western Australia is a fossickers paradise, with so much area to explore, and home to fine artisans who prepare gems and create jewellery.

The Earth and Planetary Sciences department at the Western Australian Museum maintains a collection of gemstones and jewellery that is primarily focused on Western Australia.

Specimens from the collection can be examined by appointment.

Number of items
~350 specimens

Collection Highlights

Precious opal from the Three Mile Hill mine near Coolgardie, Western Australia.

Opal, Three Mile Hill mine, Coolgardie, WA

Collection Highlights

A pear-shaped pink diamond, weighing 0.58 carats, from the Argyle mine, east Kimberley, Western Australia.

The Argyle Diamonds pink diamond collection

Collection Highlights

Ellendale diamond collection

Collection Highlights

Variscite from the Waldburg deposit on Woodlands Station in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. Specimen number WAM J11.2015.

Variscite, Woodlands Station, Gascoyne region, WA

Collection Highlights

Crystals of beryl (var. emerald) in schist from Poona, WA. Specimen is 8 cm long. WA Museum specimen number MDC1822

Beryl (var. emerald) in schist, Poona, WA

Collection Highlights

Polished slabs of chrysocolla and quartz from the DeGrussa copper mine, Western Australia.

Chrysocolla and quartz, DeGrussa mine, WA

Collection Highlights

Donate to the collection

Donations of suitable, well-documented gem materials are welcomed, particularly from Western Australia. The Western Australian Museum Collection is registered as one to which donations of significant intrinsic value can be made under the Australian Federal Government Cultural Gifts Program.

Guidelines for identification

Staff of the Department identify material for the public on request.

Collection contact

Peter Downes
Curator

Geoff Deacon
Collection Manager, Minerals