Mineralogical Museums & Collections –Preserve. Protect. Engage.

TheWorking Group on Mineralogical Museums and Collections brings together public mineralogical museums and scientific collections within the German Mineralogical Society (DMG). It provides a platform for professional exchange, collaboration, and the continued development of museum and collection-related activities within the geosciences.

Its activities focus on the regular exchange of experience, the promotion of joint projects, and networking among colleagues from museums, universities, and other scientific institutions. Working group meetings are held every two years, complemented by gatherings during the DMG Annual Meetings and the Munich Show – Mineralientage München.

The working group meetings combine scientific talks and poster presentations with opportunities to visit mineralogical museums and collections, gain insights into their work, and discuss current challenges. They provide a forum for developing new collaborations, sharing established practices, and initiating joint activities.

Projects of the working group include the poster “Mineralogical Museums and Collections in Germany”, the email network connecting participating museums, and the German Type Mineral Catalogue.

The German Type Mineral Catalogue documents type specimens (type minerals) held in mineralogical museums and scientific collections throughout Germany. Type specimens serve as the scientific reference for the description of mineral species and are essential for research, comparative studies, and the long-term documentation of mineral diversity.

The Working Group records these specimens in a central database, providing information on their locations, the scientific institutions responsible for them, and further relevant details. The catalogue aims to improve the international discoverability and scientific use of type specimens, support their long-term preservation, and increase the visibility of mineralogical collections in Germany.

The catalogue complements the international records of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) and thus contributes to the documentation and preservation of the world’s mineralogical heritage.

Further information is available in the German Type Mineral Catalogue.