UArizona MMNRE Museum

@UArizona’s Mining, Mineral and Natural Resources Education Museum, currently in development on the Capitol Mall in downtown Phoenix.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

AZ is the nation's leading producer of copper, providing around 70% of all Cu mined in the US. It has many industrial uses in construction, renewable energy, and even health sciences. Fun fact: Cu is antimicrobial, meaning it naturally kills or inactivates bacteria and viruses.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

Copper is Arizona’s most iconic mineral. It is the driver of our robust mining economy, one of the 5 Cs, and the official AZ State Metal. This specimen of native copper with gypsum is from the Ray Mine, Pinal Co., AZ.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

The 2026 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show has begun! This year’s theme is “Red, White & Blue - Celebrate the Spirit of Minerals.” Our exhibit captures why museums are the spirit of America and important to our country’s future. Find our case in spot A9 on the Convention Center floor.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

Happy New Year from the museum! Best wishes for an amazing 2026 to all of our friends and supporters.

Pictured: Wulfenite from the Glove Mine, Santa Cruz Co., AZ.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

Yesterday we attended the Payson Rimstones Rock Club meeting and gave a presentation with updates about the museum. What a great club with incredible members! We are so appreciative to have support for our Phoenix museum from all around the state. Thanks Rimstones!

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

We’re preparing for the 2025 Denver Gem and Mineral Show! This year’s theme is “Worldwide Barite and Calcite” and we’re showcasing specimens from our museum collection, including this historic barite from the Magma Mine, Superior, Pinal Co., AZ. Look at that sparkle!

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

The "Rockhound Cafe" is back at the Sun City Mineral Museum! The cafe showcases delicious rock and mineral food including a pancake breakfast, hamburger lunch, and steak dinner - plus drinks and desserts. Make a visit and see our exhibit of historic AZ rocks and minerals too.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

New blog post on our website with photos of our new exhibit, "Minerals of Arizona's Historic Mines and Mining Towns" at the Sun City Mineral Museum. The museum is celebrating it's 35th Anniversary this year - check out the post and make a visit sometime!

https://t.co/M1sN4AHbou

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

This photo is looking to the west and shows the old stage, which was covered up during the renovation. Check out the palm tree murals, too! During the renovation, a mezzanine level was added on the footprint of the balconies to create more space both upstairs and downstairs.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

#TBT a neat view of the interior of the Polly Rosenbaum building (formerly the El Zaribah Shrine) in 1990 during the renovation that transformed it into the new space for the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum. Prior to 1991, the museum was located at the AZ State Fairgrounds.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

You may have seen this photo on our website - an iconic Sleeping Beauty turquoise specimen from the Copper Cities Mine, Sleeping Beauty Peak, Miami, Gila Co., AZ. Turquoise from this locality is known for the gorgeous light blue color and is very popular with collectors.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

The original collector was AZMMM curator Art Bloyd (1974-1988) and it was cut and polished by Frank Paulich. It is around 10cm in diameter.

#DYK that serpentine was declared the official State Rock of California by state law in 1965? Arizona does not have an official state rock.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

Our museum collection includes a number of carved spheres fashioned in the old AZ Mining & Mineral Museum’s lapidary shop. This yellowish green sphere of serpentine (altering from limestone) is from Dago Spring, north of Miami, Gila Co., AZ.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

Photo: Sun City Mineral Museum Director Carol next to the ‘Arizona Minerals’ display, which features specimens listed in the former Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum’s teaching kit.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

New display coming soon to the Sun City Mineral Museum! Our exhibit of southwestern rocks & minerals has ended. Our new display (coming in July) will showcase exceptional AZ minerals from historic mining localities in celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the museum’s opening.

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

Here’s a link to an 1897 photo of Goodwin from the @StateLibAZ (via the Arizona Memory Project): https://t.co/415KedFmdI

Here’s his obituary: https://t.co/XrrILyrIC7

(History courtesy of Dr. Ray Grant, Pinal Geology & Mineral Museum.)

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

This historic silver specimen from the James C. Goodwin collection is from the Monte Cristo Mine, Wickenburg, Yavapai Co., AZ. Goodwin’s collection is very special and has a fascinating history. (See continued posts below.)

[UArizona MMNRE Museum @MMNREMuseum]

Goodwin helped assemble much of the museum’s early collection. The minerals in his collection are mounted on a plaster base with hand-written names and localities. It is neat and touching to have this connection to someone who was an important part of our museum over 100 yrs ago.