Rocks, Minerals, and More

Earth Experience houses thousands of rock and mineral specimens. The collection ranges from our twinkling Hall of Minerals, to our hands-on rock table, to our exhibits on meteorites, cave rock formations, and radioactive materials. Check out a few of our favorite pieces and exhibits.

Elmwood Mine Collection

Did you ever wondered where the metal in pennies came from? Located in Carthage, Tennessee, the Elmwood Mine provided much of the zinc for penny production after the switch from copper-based coins in 1982. Today, Elmwood mine still produces zinc metalwork, medications, batteries, and sunscreens, but rockhounds know it best for its incredible mineral specimens.

In the early days of operation, miners often squirreled away beautiful crystals like sphalerite, calcite, fluorite, and barite, selling them to rock and mineral collectors. The mine owners did not approve of the side hustle and soon prohibited the practice. Therefore, Elmwood minerals are sold at a premium and are much beloved by collectors for their beauty and their rarity. Earth Experience is proud to display and store the largest Elmwood Mine collection available for public viewing. (You can even take home a small piece from our gift shop!)

Lewis and Anna Elrod Hall of Minerals

Dedicated to Earth Experience’s late co-founder, Lewis Elrod and his wife Anna Elrod, the Hall of Minerals houses thousands of minerals of all kinds from all over the world, even from here in Rutherford County, TN.

Pictured here is a piece of the Murchison Meteorite which contains 7 billion year old matter, about 2.5 billion years older than our own sun.

Meteorites and Tektites

Is anything cooler than rocks from space? Earth Experience’s meteorite collection contains several special specimens including lunar meteorites, a piece of the only confirmed lethal meteorite, and a piece of the a meteorite that is literally older than our own solar system.

Cave Formations and Radioactive Material

Our rock and mineral collection can get a little spooky. In our Rock Hall, you can see stalactites, stalagmites, and other examples of cave formations. You can also see radioactive minerals and man-made materials, some even glowing under blacklight.