The Mineral Gallery
Explore the mineral world in its colourful diversity in the Mineral Gallery, displaying some of the finest specimens from our collection of more than 40 000 minerals and gemstones from around the world.
Minerals are displayed by chemical group, and mixed with scientific information about the chemistry and structure of the minerals is general knowledge about their use.
More commonly found in a translucent clear crystal form, calcite occurs in many different varieties. In this display, find out about its beautiful variety of form and colour.
The minerals displayed in this gallery show that the natural palette of the Earth is as varied as any artist's paintbox. Find out why colours of minerals vary, how the colours are caused and how minerals are used to colour paint.
The gallery is named after William Whewell (1794-1866). He was the third Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Cambridge, a brilliant Victorian scientist and philosopher of science.
