EPS Collections

The collections are a unique repository of rock, mineral & gem, meteorite & tektite specimens that are available for study by scientists or for public exhibition.

Over 200,000 samples are maintained by the department. The number is continually increasing as new acquisitions are made. Many specimens represent localities of particular scientific significance, sites that are not generally accessible, or are one-of-a-kind specimens such as meteorites, gems, and drill core collected at significant cost.

Article Meteorites The collection includes meteorites, tektites, impact-related samples, and 3D CT scans & chemical maps of many meteorites. Article Minerals and Gems Minerals and gems have been part of the Museum since it opened in 1869. Article Ore Deposits The AMNH is home to a collection of approximately 5,000 samples from important mineral deposits from around the world.   Petrology Collection The Petrology collection consists of several thousand hand samples and important drill cores from around the world.