Exhibits at the Colburn Earth Science Museum

Mineral Collection
The Museum's primary collection includes some 4,500 specimens from North Carolina and around the world. The Hall of Minerals features the best specimens such as an amethyst crystal cluster from Due West, South Carolina; a green fluorite from the Hamme Mine, Townsville, North Carolina; and ruby in zoisite from Tanzania.

Gem Collection
	The Museum's gem collection includes over 1,000 cut gemstones from North Carolina and around the world. Included is the Sondley Gem Collection of North Carolina gems set in North Carolina gold from the collection of Foster A. Sondley, an important turn-of-the-century resident of Western North Carolina. The Gem Room includes a 220 carat blue topaz from Brazil, a 2,405.5 carat boulder opal from Australia, and rare gems such as hiddenite and stibiotantalite.

Petrology Collection
The Petrology or Rock Collection is used for study and display. It includes the North Carolina Rock Collection, which is comprised of type-specimens from the rock formations of the official North Carolina Geologic Map that were collected by the staff of the North Carolina Geologic Survey.

North Carolina Minerals
This gallery includes a sampling of the over 350 minerals found in North Carolina as well as gems, ores, and historic mining photographs. Favorites include itacolumite (the bending rock) from Stokes County, North Carolina, an emerald crystal from the Old Plantation Mine in Cleveland County, and cut kyanite, rhodolite garnet, tourmaline, rubies, and more. Also included is a gem location map, which identifies counties for gem collecting.

Weather, Climate and You

This fun and interactive exhibition invites visitors of all ages to discover the science behind the weather report. Discover what happens when wind hits a mountain, learn about the history of weather in WNC, including the 2004 floods and watch yourself on TV giving a weather report.

The History of Mining in North Carolina is an entertaining and educational exhibit that will take the visitor from the very earliest mining in our state through to present day mines and minerals. Our mountains were the site of prehistoric mining by Native Americans, followed by early Spanish explorers in quest of gold and silver riches.

And then there's gold. The exhibit chronicles the major role that gold mining played in our history, and the fact that prior to the gold discoveries out west, North Carolina was this country's major gold producer. It was North Carolina, not California that first earned the title “The Golden State.” Gold nuggets mined here, and gold coins minted here, are on display to dazzle visitors.

The exhibit shows how iron, feldspar and mica mining have influenced the cultural development of Western North Carolina. Last, but definitely not least, are the variety of gemstones that North Carolina is known for. Our state has excellent deposits of rubies, sapphires, emerald, aquamarine, amethyst, and other gems. The rare gemstone Hiddenite is found nowhere else in the world. Emeralds found here in the last few years rival the best ones found anywhere in the world. Burnham Colburn himself (the namesake of our museum) has his own significant place in the history of precious gem mining in the area.

Most popular of all, the exhibit offers an authentic replica of a gem mine, complete with impressive gem pockets that the young visitors can blast into by setting off a “dynamite” charge. Antique relics such as old mining lamps, mining ledgers, other hardware used by miners of days gone by are on display to bring the past to life.

Fluorescent Minerals
A push of a button activates a light and sound show of fluorescent minerals. Ordinary under normal light, these minerals glow bright colors when exposed to ultra violet light. The exhibit includes mineral specimens from famous fluorescent localities such as Franklin, New Jersey and minerals from North Carolina such as fluorite, barite, ruby, hyalite opal, and autunite.

Crystals
	This exhibit explores the naturally occurring shapes and habits of minerals. Highlights include a quartz crystal cluster with clay phantoms from McDowell County, North Carolina.

Man and Minerals
This exhibit hall explores the ways man utilizes mineral resources by pairing everyday products with the rough mineral ores used in their manufacture. Included are a 75 pound specimen of native copper from Michigan and a 400 pound galena crystal from Missouri.

Fossil Collection

The fossil collection of over 500 specimens is largely maintained for display and educational purposes.

Archival and Reference Library

The Museum's library includes over 500 volumes, publications, videos, and manuscripts. Included are numerous publications from the North Carolina Geologic Survey and rare books from the early part of the twentieth century.