Check out this recent donation from master faceter Steve Richards. At first glance, it may seem like just another large faceted stone… until you peer into the middle. Look closely and you’ll see a decoration fit for Halloween! Just how did that get there?
What’s in the Box? Will you walk into my parlour… Read More »
October’s birthstone can be a bit confusing: what is “precious” opal, anyway? Is it different from fire opal? And what kinds of opals are “common”? This post is a short primer for all your opal terminology needs.
What’s in the Box? Opal Read More »
This evening, Thursday, October 1, at 8 PM, OPB will be broadcasting the documentary “Unprepared.” It investigates the state of Oregon’s earthquake preparedness, and, according to OPB’s summary, finds “that when it comes to bridges, schools, hospitals, building codes and energy infrastructure, Oregon lags far behind…” Watch this evening to learn what Oregonians need to do to become resilient in the face of our seismic threats.
TONIGHT: Watch “Unprepared” documentary on OPB Read More »
You’ve known how to name 3D shapes since elementary school. They’re easy: cube. Cylinder. Pentagonal dodecahedron?
What’s in the Box? Shaping Up Read More »
The 2015 Portland Regional Gem Mineral Show Association is the 35th Annual event hosted by the Portland Regional Gem and Mineral Association October 9-11, 2015. This is one of the largest rock, gem, and mineral shows in the Pacific Northwest, bringing together over 40 dealers and hundreds of exhibits. There will be demonstrations, lectures, workshops, educational programs, specimens, and more through out the entire weekend. Admission is $5 per day for adults. Children 12 and under are free accompanied by an adult. The event will be at the Washington County Fair Complex across from the Hillsboro Airport in Hillsboro, Oregon. For more information, see the 2015 Portland Regional Gem Mineral Show Association announcements and news.
35th Annual Portland Regional Gem and Mineral Show in Hillsboro Read More »
Do you already like to shop with Amazon.com? You can now use Amazon Smile to have Amazon donate money to the Rice Museum each time you make a purchase. It’s easy! Just follow these three simple steps: Go to Amazon Smile and sign in with your usual Amazon username and password. When prompted, type “Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals” into the charity search box. Select our museum as your preferred charity. Use smile.amazon.com to log into Amazon every time you shop. And that’s it! Each time you make a purchase using Amazon Smile, the Rice NW Museum receives a small donation. Sign up now and support our museum by using Amazon Smile!
Support the Rice NW Museum with Amazon Smile! Read More »
Quick, name a purple mineral! Did you say amethyst? Or perhaps fluorite? While those minerals may show standout examples of the most royal of colors, others may show off fine purples, too.
What’s in the Box?: Purple Edition Read More »
Come enjoy a new, interactive display at the Rice Museum, featuring some of Planet Earth’s oldest rocks. Learn about the oldest-known mineral, rock, and fossil, and touch a genuine piece of each specimen on display!
New Display: Touch Earth’s oldest continent Read More »
Want to know a super easy way to support the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals? You can now help the Rice NW Museum earn donations just by shopping at Fred Meyer with your Rewards Card! To link your Rewards Card to the Community Rewards program: Register your card Search for the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals by our unique non-profit organization number: 85221 or by name. That’s it. Every time you shop using your Fred Meyer Rewards Card you earn points and you are donating to the museum. On a quarterly basis, Fred Meyer sends a donation check to the Rice Northwest Museum. Your shopping supports our programs and activities. If you don’t already have a Fred Meyer Rewards Card, you can sign up for one at the Customer Service Desk at any Fred Meyer store. Remember, you earn rewards points, fuel points, downloadable coupons, and more, and the Rice Northwest Museum can earn donations. It’s a win-win! While shopping at Fred Meyer, be sure and let them know how much you appreciate this easy way to donate and support local charities.
Support the Rice Museum by Shopping at Freddy’s Read More »
The outdoorsy among us who have spent time in the Seattle area are surely familiar with Mount Si, a popular hiking destination close to the city. But did you know that Mount Si hosts beautiful minerals as well as incredible views? This specimen is on its way back to the box after three months on display in the Washington County Museum in Hillsboro, OR. It is a plate of quartz crystals covered with dravite tourmaline from the Bald Hornet claims on Mount Si in Washington state. The Bald Hornet claims were developed in the aftermath of the 1869 discovery of iron ore in the Snoqualmie Pass area. While these small-time claims did not manage to produce any economic ores, they did give us crystallized mineral specimens like these. Such specimens are generally associated with contact zones, where intrusive granitic rocks interacted with surrounding sedimentary rock, especially limestone. (Mining claim information sourced from “Discovering Washington’s Historic Mines (Vol. 1)”, ed. Ina Chang.) This post is part of our What’s in the Box? series.
What’s in the Box? Old Familiar Places Read More »
