Collection: Elmwood Mine Collection

The Elmwood Mine was initially drilled in 1969, fully operational by the mid 1970’s, and stayed in operation all the way up to the initial closing in 2004.  In 2010 the mine was reopened by Nyrstar, and has had several closings since, involving its current closure as of Dec. 2023. 

Initially a Zinc mine, the three combined mines making up the Elmwood mining complex(Cumberland, Gordonsville, and Elmwood), have each produced distinctly different, yet equally sought after specimens by collectors and museums all around the world. 

The main collectible mineral specimens we see from the middle Tennessee locale are fluorite, calcite, sphalerite and barite.  Secondary associations are galena, quartz, marcasite, and an occasional presence of various other minerals. 

The mine has not allowed any specimen mining since the early 2000’s adding to the lore and mystery surrounding the specimens.