Gem collection moves to Steelworks Museum

CSU-Pueblo has placed their geology gem collection at the Steelworks Museum of Industry and Culture, located at 215 Canal Street.

On Oct. 3, the university unveiled the collection in a press conference and later that day, held a reception for public viewing.

The 300 piece collection of minerals and gems has been in storage since 1990 when the university terminated its geology program.

Corinne Koehler, president of the Steelworks Museum is excited about the collection being available for public display.

“People have been fascinated by the shapes, color, size and brilliance of minerals for thousands of years and Bessemer Historical Society is honored to be the caretaker of this collection so students of all ages can again enjoy this collection and hopefully spark a new generation of geologists in Southern Colorado,” she said.

An irreplaceable piece in the collection is a large desert rose that came from Texas. Many of the other pieces were purchased.

Some of the specimens came from famous mining sites that are no longer in operation and others from former university professors, university alumni and community members.

Fundraising will begin in an effort to purchase display cases for all of the gem collection.

Anyone interested in donating toward the purchase may do so by contacting Maria Kennedy at 564-9086.

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