The Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals treats visitors to spectacular themed displays containing specimens from the ROM's impressive collections.
The gallery consists of a state of the art table game, an interactive wall, a giant pure gold coin, a touchable wall of gold ore, and cases with specimens and objects and videos.
The Light of the Desert, at 900 carats, is the largest faceted cerussite gem in the world. The rough material was unearthed from a mine in Namibia. Cerussite is extremely soft and fragile, and faceted examples are extremely rare.
The ROM's meteorite collection of over 100 different specimens includes nine lunar and six martian meteorites. Marvel at the 1.1 kilogram lunar specimen, one of the biggest lunar meteorites on display in the world.
The rare Tagish Lake meteorite contains primitive organic material dating back to the formation of our solar system. Kept frozen (except for the piece in our display) since the day it crashed, this wonder from deep space may one day reveal answers about the beginnings of our solar system.
Close to 3,000 exceptional specimens of minerals, gems, meteorites and rocks represent a collection among the finest in North America.
To the ends of the earth…and beyond.
Treasures from Earth and space unfold in a suite of galleries designed for exploration and discovery. Meteorites, rocks, precious minerals and gems contribute to one of the finest museum collections on display anywhere. In total, over 4.5 billion years of history are represented in the gallery, and reflect the dynamic geological environment in which we live.
Vale Gallery of Minerals, the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Gallery, and the Gallery of Gems and Gold beckon to those who yearn to see, hear and learn how our Earth is constantly changing, what it's made of, and how we interact with it in our day-to-day lives.
Explore the World of Modern Mining
The Barrick Gold Corporation Gallery showcases a range of mineral specimens as well as presentations on the global mining industry, including stories about mining, and how the mining industry impacts our daily lives. The digitally enhanced games and other interactives, such as a touch wall are the most advanced, hands-on, user-driven visitor experiences in the ROM.
The gallery includes an interactive table game, a touch-screen wall, a giant pure gold coin, a touchable wall of gold ore, and cases with specimens and objects and videos.
About the Gallery
What?
Close to 3,000 exceptional specimens of minerals, gems, meteorites and rocks represent a collection among the finest in North America.
Where?
Specimens hail from all over the Earth, the Moon, and beyond.
When?
From over 4.5 billion years ago to the present.