New Exhibit Spotlight: Oceanic Origins Written by Mandy Abel-Zurstadt Intern, Paulina Zamarripa, in front of their exhibit, Oceanic Origins. Oceanic Origins is a showcase of minerals inspired by the deep sea. Some of the included items are on loan to the Museum from Diane Eames or Sharleen Harvey. One of our 2025 summer interns, Paulina […]
New Exhibit Spotlight: Mighty Morphin’ Minerals Written by Mandy Abel-Zurstadt Intern, Addison Hancock, standing next to their exhibit, Mighty Morphin’ Minerals. How can one mineral have so many forms? This was the driving question for our 2025 intern Addison “Addie” Hancock as they designed, researched, and installed this exhibit. Calcite Specimens The showcase centers on calcite,
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Written by Jeremy Salvucci The Art and Science of Fossil Crab Preparation Michelangelo, perhaps the most lauded sculptor of the Renaissance period, said “every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” And while the artist behind David — perhaps the best-known marble sculpture in the
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Rice Museum’s Triumph at Tucson 2025 We are thrilled to announce our recent success at the 70th Annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, where we proudly took home the Betty and Clayton Gibson Memorial Trophy for Best Museum Exhibit. This year’s theme, “Shades of Green – Experience the Magic,” provided the perfect backdrop for our
Let’s dive into the world of amethyst, the dazzling purple gemstone that rocks the month of February! This incredible mineral isn’t just a pretty stone – it’s packed with fascinating stories and cool scientific secrets. What Makes Amethyst Special? Amethyst is a type of quartz with a stunning purple color that comes from tiny amounts
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The short answer is, YES, ice is a mineral. Imagine a special treasure from the Earth that has some super cool rules! A mineral is like a nature-made superhero with these awesome powers: 1. Rock Solid! ? It’s not a liquid or a gas Can’t stick your hand through it 2. Nature Made ? It comes
As the crisp air of autumn settles in, the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals invites you to explore a captivating collection that perfectly embodies the spirit of Halloween. This season, our Museum is showcasing a SPOOKY DISPLAY of minerals and rocks, each with playful names that evoke eerie themes. From “VAMPIRE-ITE” to “SKULL-ECITE,”
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Coming Soon! The Big Find: A Legend Continues. 12 Jewelry Masterpieces made with world class tourmaline from Plumbago Mountain, Newry, Maine. Exhibited on the West Coast for the first time at the Rice Museum! 50 years ago, 4 miners unearthed over a ton of gem quality tourmaline crystals near the top of Plumbago Mountain, Maine– the
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Columbia command module pilot Michael Collins inside the craft. Credit: Photo courtesy of NASA The Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals presents Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission. The poster exhibition from the Smithsonian celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and explores the birth and development of the American space program and
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Throughout American history, women with diverse backgrounds and interests created inventions that changed lives every day. But women haven’t always had equal opportunities to be inventors or received as much recognition. The Smithsonian and the United States Patent and Trademark Office present Picturing Women Inventors, a poster exhibition that explores the inventions of 19 highly
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