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New Exhibit Spotlight: Mighty Morphin’ Minerals

Written by Mandy Abel-Zurstadt

Addie smiling at the camera and standing beside the Mighty Morphin' Minerals exhibit.
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.

A close-up of three white calcite specimens. The one labelled A is rhombohedral, as is the one labelled B. The one labelled C is botryoidal.
Calcite Specimens

The showcase centers on calcite, with a variety of forms of this mineral displayed on the middle and bottom shelves. Each form has a chemical formula of CaCO₃ but exhibits different sizes, colors, and crystal habits (patterns). Interpretive signs, some pictured above, explain the reasons for such diversity.

A close-up of a spiky, white gypsum crystals
Gypsum

Several other minerals that demonstrate multiple visual forms, such as gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) and barite (BaSO₄), are on the top shelf.

Though most of this exhibit is behind glass, there is a travertine lamp to the left of the display case that is a touchable part of the collection.

Curved lamp with rectangular block of travertine (limestone) for its base.
Lamp with Travertine (Limestone) Base.

Mighty Morphin’ Minerals can be visited in the Museum Community Room (aka the Living Room) until the end of February 2026. Come witness one of the miracles of geology!

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