Just about everyone likes looking at minerals, in fact a lot of folks have a passion for them, that has lasted most of their lives, a passion that started out the first time they saw their first mineral, when they were a youngster. Most people are introduced to the wonderful world of minerals as a child, on a School field trip to a local museum or some other such place.
There behind a glass case, sits minerals of every size, shape and color. Often these museums or other sites have small minerals that you can purchase, once purchased and taken home, the mineral bug has bitten, and thus begins a lifetime or mineral collecting.
One of the most exciting places to visit in the USA, on anyone’s list that likes or loves minerals, should be the Mineral Museum in Butte, Montana. A visit to the The Mineral Museum is a mineral collector or admirers dream come true. The Mineral Museum has well over 1000 different specimens to look at, enough to satisfy anyone’s curiosity and desires.
Not only do they have literally tons of minerals that were found right there in Montana, but there are numerous other unique and beautiful specimens that were found throughout different places in the world. Some of the more notable display pieces you can see are:
Highland Centennial Gold Nugget - This massive nugget of gold weighs over 27 lbs, and it was actually found right in Butte, Montana. With the current price of gold, can you imagine what this single mineral is worth in gold value alone. Fluorescent Minerals - Be amazed how these beauties glow in vibrant shades of color when they are exposed to ultraviolet light.
When you are done with your tour of the mineral museum, you can buy some unique and beautiful specimens of minerals to keep for yourself, or to give as wonderful gifts to family and friends in their gift shop. The gift shop not only has minerals for sale, but they also sell unique stones, fossils, gold panning tools, books, and lots more things.
The Mineral Museum is located on the Montana Tech Campus, in Butte, Montana, and is open year around, and this incredible place is absolutely free to visit, but donations are appreciated.