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 […]
What’s in the Box? Old Familiar Places Read More »
You’ll almost never see gorgeous red realgar crystals on display, and if you do, it won’t be for long. Why? It turns out that realgar is one of several minerals that changes and degrades when exposed to light. If left on display, this light-sensitive crystal would begin to turn dark and eventually change into an
What’s In The Box? A Light in the Dark Read More »
What do you think the object on the left has in common with the three objects on the right? This question isn’t too hard to answer: they’re all fossilized clams. But why do they look so different? The clam on the left is the mineralized shell of a clam from Coal Creek, Washington. After the
What’s in the Box? Clammy Hands Read More »
These concentric green circles look like some kind of painting or an old-fashioned LP gone wrong, but in reality this mesmerizing pattern was created by nature. This is the mineral malachite, a copper carbonate associated with ore deposits. Malachite forms when other copper minerals like chalcopyrite react with acidic water percolating through the rock. This
What’s in the Box? Green Eyes Read More »
You may have heard that lightning strikes can turn sand to glass from the 2002 film “Sweet Home Alabama.” As with most things Hollywood, the movie contains a little bit of both fact and fiction.
What’s In The Box? Lightning Round Read More »
One of the most famous lapidary materials to have ever come from Oregon, Biggs Picture Jasper has captivated many with its beautiful blue and brown lines and swirls. This slab’s pattern is characteristic of the early material found near the town of Biggs Junction. Biggs Jasper was discovered by modern rockhounds in 1964 after a
What’s In The Box? Picture’s worth a thousand… Read More »
The most famous precious opal in the US comes from Virgin Valley in Humboldt County, Nevada. Petrified tree trunks buried in volcanic tuffs have developed opals with gorgeous play of color. In this specimen, white common opal infills large holes, while blue and green precious opal is found in pores preserving the tree trunk’s original
What’s In The Box? Playing with color Read More »
Join us for a new, online feature and discover “What’s In The Box?” with curator Leslie Moclock. Leslie will take you behind the scenes to see some of the beautiful and interesting specimens currently off display. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or Instagram to see photos and learn a little about each one as
Sneak Peek: Find out “What’s In The Box?” Read More »
