MINERAL SCIENCES EXHIBITS: The E. Hadley Stuart, Jr. Hall of Gems and Minerals

NATIVE GOLD

Subtle design effects give visitors the feeling of being underground as they explore the more than 400 gold specimens, weighing a total of more than 300 pounds. Included are nuggets, crystals, leaves and wires of remarkable size and aesthetics. This exhibit is one of the finest and largest gold exhibits in the world. Among its highlights are the 156 troy ounce "Mohave Nugget", the largest California nugget in captivity, as well as additional nuggets on loan from Robert Peterson, beautiful leaf gold in quartz from the Oriental mine in Sierra County, and a collection of 159 nuggets (1000 troy oz.) from the Ruby mine in Sierra County. Artifacts and memorabilia of the California Gold Rush, as well as a video presentation entitled "Forever Gold" produced by the American Museum enhance this display.

Click on the image to see some of the specimens in this exhibit.