Hendersonville, NC Mineral and Lapidary Museum

The Mineral & Lapidary Museum is a museum located in Hendersonville, North Carolina that showcases a wide variety of minerals, fossils, gemstones, and lapidary art. The museum was founded in 1997 by a group of rockhounds and mineral enthusiasts who wanted to share their passion for geology with the local community.

The museum's collection includes over 4,500 specimens from around the world, ranging from common minerals like quartz and feldspar to rare and exotic gems like alexandrite and kunzite. There are also displays of fossils from various geological periods, including trilobites, ammonites, and dinosaur bones.

In addition to the mineral and fossil specimens, the museum features a collection of lapidary art, which is the art of cutting and polishing stones to create jewelry, sculptures, and other decorative objects. The lapidary collection includes examples of cabochons, faceted gems, and intricate stone carvings.

The museum offers a range of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages, including guided tours, hands-on workshops, and special events. Visitors can learn about geology, mineralogy, and lapidary art through interactive exhibits and displays, and can even try their hand at polishing stones or making their own jewelry.

Overall, the Mineral & Lapidary Museum is a fascinating and educational destination for anyone interested in the natural world, gems and minerals, or the art of lapidary.