Wallets, laptops and iPods are stolen all the time on campus, but it's not everyday that you hear about a gem heist taking place at the University.

Campus police are investigating the theft of tens of thousands of dollars worth of semi-precious gems and minerals from several Geology Department display cases in the C.C. Little Science Building. Sixty-eight stores were taken in two thefts, which appeared to occur on two different days, according to the Department of Public Safety.

In the first incident, which took place Saturday, a third floor display case was broken into. After Monday morning's theft, which occurred on the same floor, police discovered an additional six to seven display cases damaged with shattered glass covering the ground, according to DPS Lieutenant Melissa Overton. Police have no suspects in the case.

The loading dock doors leading to C.C. Little were damaged, leading police to believe that the thief or thieves might have entered the building that way.

Overton said in an e-mail message that some of the Department's stones and gems were taken in the thefts.

Though the semi-precious stones have an estimated cost in the five-figure range, Overton said they would likely have very little street value if someone were to try to sell them.

The displays contained both refined gems and minerals still embedded in rock. Also missing from one of the display cases are a jewelry box and a letter opener studded with gems.

DPS spokeswoman Diane Brown said police have been monitoring the area more closely since the incidents.

The University is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspected burglar or burglars.