Tektites from the Baker tektite collection. Different shapes are produced aerodynamically when the glassy molten rock is thrown up from the impact site.
Image: Rodney Start
Source: Museum Victoria
Australian tektites
Tektites are categorised by their shape and are referred to as cores, buttons, boats, lenses, dumb-bells, discs, teardrops and fragments. They are shaped by their passage through the atmosphere when they were formed and the length of passage through the atmosphere have largely determined their shape and size.
Museum Victoria has an extensive collection of Australian tektites (australites) as well as representative samples from other major global strewn fields. The collection also contains some impactite rocks from a variety of large meteorite-impact craters.
The collection is considered to be of international significance as the key component of the collection (approximately 3000 tektites) was bequeathed by Dr George Baker (formerly of CSIRO Minerals), a pioneer researcher on tektites and impactites.
Baker’s work stimulated research on the origins of tektites and the nature of major meteorite impacts as well as providing data for the modelling of the Apollo Lunar mission re-entry vehicles. In addition, specimens in the collection have provided key data for solving the discrepancy between the age of the tektites and the apparent age of the recovery sites in Victoria.
Tektites on Dynamic Earth website
Uncut sapphires from Kaffir's Hill, Foster, Victoria.
Image: Frank Coffa
Source: Museum Victoria
Gemstones
The Gemstone Collection comprises 1600–1700 specimens, including some interesting and valuable specimens of faceted stones and polished ornamental minerals.
Its origins can be traced to acquisitions in the 19th century by the Industrial and Technological Museum, the Mining Department and the National Museum, but these records are vague and the provenance of many individual gemstones has been lost. The main acquisitions by the National Museum of Victoria were in the 1960s, when donations were solicited from local jewellers for new gemstone displays.
The collection is significant for its Australian component but lacks large and valuable stones faceted from the main gem minerals. Growth is limited by the cost of gemstones but will concentrate on gem minerals not so far represented (such as Australian diamonds), faceted Victorian minerals (such as sapphire, topaz and zircon) and selected overseas material.
Shaped and polished ornamental gemstones are primarily represented by cabochons, in particular varieties of agate and banded malachite. Many of these were obtained in the 19th century. The Tindall Collection is representative of work produced by hobby lapidaries of the 1970s, featuring about 120 specimens showing polished stones, mostly of Australian origin, in a range of mounts..
The collection of Australian opal gemstones includes some large cabochons or otherwise polished pieces.
Gemstones on Dynamic Earth website
In 1854, two large iron meteorites were discovered near Cranbourne, Victoria, arousing international scientific interest.
The Cranbourne No 1 mass, weighing 3500 kilograms, and the Cranbourne No 2, weighing 1525 kilograms, were at that time among the largest known meteorites. The owner of No 1 donated it to ‘Mother England’, and by purchasing No 2 for £300 in 1862, the British Museum (Natural History), London, acquired both meteorites.
Prominent colonial scientists, led by the National Museum director Frederick McCoy, were outraged at the loss of such important specimens. Through negotiation and to ease political tensions, the British Museum donated the No 2 mass to the National Museum of Victoria.
Image: Rodney Start
Source: Museum Victoria
Meteorites
The study of meteorites is fundamental to the understanding of the formation of our solar system, the development of star systems and perhaps life itself.
Museum Victoria is the sole repository for meteorites in the state. There are 351 specimens in the collection, representing some 201 different finds and falls. The collection is representative of most of the main groups of meteorites. Approximately 53 per cent of the specimens are from Australian occurrences, with all but two Victorian meteorites represented.
Specimens range in weight from a few grams to approximately 1 tonne. Typically specimens weigh less than 1 kg.
The collection is organised systematically on the basis of the standard international classification system. With the exception of three large masses stored at Moreland, the specimens are housed in the Royal Exhibition Building Basement in Carlton Gardens. Most specimens are on a cardboard tray and housed in an S38 cabinet. While the collection is representative of the main types of meteorites, several significant rare types, such as lunar meteorites, are not present in the collection.
Museum Victoria’s Meteorite Collection is of scientific and educational importance. While not as large as some in other state museums, the rarity of some of the collection’s specimens means that they are sought after by researchers.
Significant items
- Several kilograms of the Murchison meteorite. This rare carbonaceous chondrite has probably been the subject of more scientific publications that any other meteorite. The discovery of grains formed in a presolar environment and the abundance of organic molecules within the meteorite has facilitated studies on the formation of stars, the formation of the Solar System and the origins of life.
- Willow Grove: this anomalously nickel-rich iron meteorite contains the second-highest concentration of nickel (28 per cent) of any known meteorite.
- Rainbow: this rare CO3-type carbonaceous chondrite, described by Dr Bill Birch (Senior Curator, Geosciences), is one of only eight of this type known and Museum Victoria has the only two masses of the Rainbow.
The Bunyip Gold Nugget was found near Bridgewater in the Loddon Valley. This 50-ounce nugged was acquired in 1977.
Image: Frank Coffa
Source: Museum Victoria
Gold
The Gold Collection consists of approximately 2300 specimens, half of which are from Victorian occurrences. There are about 850 specimens from other Australian states, and about 300 from foreign localities, half of which are in South Africa.
Most material is for reference and research, as it consists of ore specimens with varying amounts of visible gold. However a number of excellent specimens of gold crystals and small nuggets, such as the 50 ounce Bunyip, are more suitable for display.
The Victorian gold collection is of high economic and geological significance. It is an important record of the historical output of Victorian 19th century mining, while specimens are still being found by fossickers using metal detectors in the central Victorian goldfields.
The museum has purchased small but significant pieces from time to time, which have helped diversify the collection. The collection has both historical and future significance, as Victoria remains a prospective region for gold, and there is also a considerable academic research interest in its origins.
Collection significance
Apart from the monetary value of the gold itself, the greatest importance of the collection is the large number of specimens from deposits that are no longer accessible. This makes it an invaluable resource for future reference by academics and mining companies.
Because the collection contains such a diverse range of habits shown by gold, it is also very important for educational purposes. Some of the more spectacular pieces are ideal for exhibition, subject to appropriate security.
The collection of historical gold nugget models is ideal for display as it conveys directly to the public perhaps the most defining characteristic of the central Victorian goldfields.
Gold on Dynamic Earth website