The purpose of the Virtual Museum of the History of Mineralogy is to bring together photographs and descriptions of representative historical objects and information related to the early mineralogical and crystallographic sciences. The Virtual Museum is organized into 5 major categories of objects covering the history of mineralogy and crystallography in the pre x-ray diffraction era. The collections include: General introductions: books goniometers optical instruments non-optical instruments crystal models   Mineralogy and crystallography books book collection Crystallographic goniometers contact goniometers vertical circle goniometers horizontal circle goniometers 2 circle goniometers 2 circle contact goniometers ocular goniometers Optical instruments polarizing microscopes polariscopes and related instruments axial angle apparatus refractometers dichroscopes spectroscopes Non-optical instruments blowpipe kits areometers & balances sclerometers Crystal models crystal model collection crystallography catalogs Besides annotated pictures we include links to museums, collectors and antiquarian book dealers. We continuously add new materials and keep you informed through our newsletter. You are welcome to contribute to the development of this site; we would appreciate receiving pictures, information, links and advertisements. Use the site map for a quick overview of what is available. Museum Shop In the museum shop you may find antiquarian mineralogy books, old mineralogical or crystallographic instruments, antique crystal models, etc. If you have anything for sale that is related to the contents of our site, you are welcome to place a free advertisement. If you are desperately looking for that one special antiquarian mineralogy book or that particular crystal model or instrument, why not place a free request over here? oryctics - join now oryctics is a discussion list devoted to the history of mineralogy and crystallography Subscribe to oryctics: email: