Mineral collecting is the hobby of systematically collecting, identifying and displaying mineral specimens. Mineral collecting can also be a part of the profession of mineralogy and allied geologic specialties. Individual collectors often specialize, for example collecting examples of the various colors and forms taken by the mineral calcite, calcite from widely scattered locations in a region or the world, or minerals found in pegmatites.
Generally considered the "father of mineralogy", Georgius Agricola (1494–1555) was also an avid mineral collector. He wrote several books, including two of enduring significance: De Re Metallica, an early treatise on mining, and De Natura Fossilium, the first (1546) modern textbook of mineralogy.
Another famous 16th century mineral collector was Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II (1552–1612). He built a large mineral collection while employing Anselmus de Boodt (ca. 1550–1634), his court physician and another avid mineral collector, to expand and tend his collections. After Rudolf's death his collection was dispersed.
Mineral collectors find a variety of reasons to collect minerals. Many minerals are strikingly beautiful and collected for their aesthetic value. Others collect to learn more about mineralogy, the local mining industry and/or local geology. Some simply enjoy exploring the outdoors and socializing and trading with other mineral collectors. Serious collectors will go so far as traveling great distances to find the right specimen.
Geological Museum, Mineral Collection, London
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collection, Washington, D.C.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Hall of Gems and Minerals
Houston Museum of Natural Science, Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, Houston
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Australian Museum, Albert Chapman Mineral Collection, Sydney
Musée de Minéralogie, École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris, Paris
Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano, Milan
Mineralogisches Museum Hamburg (1500 specimens on display) Mineral hall, Hamburg
Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow
Mercer County District Library (900 specimens on display), Ron & Ruth Langsdon Mineral Collection, Celina, Ohio
Mim museum (over 1500 specimens representing 350 species on display), www.mim.museum, Beirut, Lebanon
Andrew Ketcham Barnett (1852–1914), principal, Penzance School of Mines
Albert Chapman (1912–1996) after death collection moved to Australian Museum.
Dr. James S. Douglas (1837–1918), mining engineer. His collection of classic Bisbee minerals was donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Walter Frederick Ferrier (1865–1950), Canadian geologist and mining engineer
Jack Halpern (collector) (born 1920), collection reviewed in Mineralogical Record
George Frederick Kunz (1856–1932), gentleman scientist, VP of Tiffany & Co., "special agent" for the US Geological Survey (1883–1909)
William F. Larson (born 1945), Founder of Pala International, board of San Diego Natural History Museum, owner Sinkankas Library
Gene Meieran (born 1937), 2nd Sr Intel Fellow (after the inventor of the microprocessor), 2003 Carnegie Mineralogical Award winner. Collection also at A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum.
J. P. Morgan (1837–1913), famous international banker. Morganite was named after him by G.F. Kunz.
Perkins D. Sams (1927–2010), West Texas oilman. After death collection moved to Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Stephen Smale (born 1930), Professor in mathematics, UC Berkeley. World's best Chinese mineral collection published in book. Appraised Houston Museum of Natural Science collection.
Abraham Gottlob Werner (1749–1817), pioneering German geologist
Henrietta Clive, Countess of Powis (1758–1830), one of the first female mineral collectors in the United Kingdom, whose well-organised collection is now part of National Museum Wales.
The website of Mineralogical Record magazine includes a Biographical Archive containing biographical sketches of approximately 1,800 (as of 2016) mineral collectors and specimen dealers, most of whom were or are active between the late 19th century and the present day.
