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.
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