Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Autumn 2013 | Page 15

WHEATON view A Gem of a Collection The geology faculty in February unpacked a treasure trove of gems, rocks, and minerals from the world-class Smith Collection, a gift to Wheaton College from the estate of Art Smith ’57, a Houston-based petroleum geologist and legendary mineral collector. In addition to amassing a dazzling array of some 30,000 geological specimens from around the globe, Smith discovered the mineral artsmithite, a crystalline mercury-aluminum-phosphate. “In the mineral community Mr. Smith was held in high regard for his knowledge of minerals and his willingness to share that knowledge through lectures, displays at shows, and leadership in the Houston Gem and Mineral Society and the Friends of Mineralogy organization,” writes Marie E. Huizing, editor-in-chief of Rocks & Minerals. The Geology Department storage room is literally brimming with specimens waiting to be catalogued for study. Smith’s collection includes “one of the most comprehensive quartz collections anybody has ever put together” and about 20,000 micromounts, including some very rare minerals, and specialized collections such as 100 different coppers from some 60 places in the world, notes Dr. Jeff Greenberg, professor of geology and environmental science. He adds, “Smith’s collection of micromounts is probably as good as any in the world.” A unique combination of artistry and geology, an eye -popping set of frogs carved from minerals from around the globe are among Smith’s specimens, now on exhibit in the Meyer Science Center. The 260 frogs cover a wide range of exquisite colors, textures, artistic styles, and composition—from emerald, ruby, and amber to whale bone and moose antler. W H E A T O N     13