gems

Woman holding award for mineral garden display.

Green Gems galore

Education, Exhibits, News, Science /

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 stunning display of verdant minerals. Our Award-Winning Exhibit:  Our exhibit showcased a breathtaking array of green minerals, each with its unique charm and characteristics, including: Malachite: This iconic green mineral, known for its striking banded patterns, captivated visitors with its rich, forest-green hues. Prehnite: Our collection featured exquisite specimens of this pale green to yellow-green mineral, prized for its subtle beauty and spiritual properties. Dioptase: The deep emerald-green crystals of dioptase were a highlight, their intense color rivaling that of emeralds. Austinite: This rare arsenate mineral, with its delicate mint-green crystals, added a touch of elegance to our display. Austinite. Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Mun. de Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. The Magic of Green Minerals Green minerals have long fascinated collectors and enthusiasts alike. They evoke memories of lush landscapes and symbolize nature, spring, and renewal. The variety of green hues in the mineral world is truly astounding, ranging from the electric lime of pyromorphite to the deep forest green of malachite. What is “green”? Light is made up of many wavelengths, but these minerals absorb everything except for green. So our brains see that wavelength and say, “yep,that’s green!” But, about 350 million people don’t see all wavelengths of the light spectrum and instead of shades of greens, might be seeing colors like orange, red, yellow, beige, brown, or blue in this display. How cool is that? What are some things that make minerals green? Physical material. For example, green clay. Structures that affect how a mineral absorbs or reflects light. For example, green flash in opal. Elements that are part of the mineral’s structure. For example, the copper (Cu) in Malachite’s chemical formula. Chemical impurities. For example, when beryl contains Chromium (Cr), it is called an emerald. Prehnite with epidote. Sadiola Gold Mine, Sadiola hill, Kayes Region, Mali. Collector’s Corner For mineral enthusiasts looking to start or expand their green mineral collection, here are some tips: Research the hardness and durability of minerals before purchasing. Consider the rarity and origin of specimens to build a diverse collection. Look for unique crystal formations or patterns that make each piece special. Invest in proper storage and display options to protect and showcase your collection. Malachite ‘Corn on the Cob’.   Looking Ahead The success of our exhibit at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show has inspired us to continue our mission of educating and inspiring the public about the wonders of the mineral world. We invite you to visit the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals to experience our award-winning collection firsthand and discover the magical world of green minerals for yourself.

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Amethyst cluster, purple crystals closeup.

Amethyst: The Purple Gem of Mystery and Magic!

Education, Exhibits, News, Science /

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 of iron inside the stone, and irradiation. It’s super tough, scoring a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means it can handle some serious adventure! Ancient Stories and Cool Facts Did you know that ancient Greeks believed amethyst could prevent drunkenness? In fact, the name “amethyst” comes from a Greek word meaning “not drunk”. Imagine that – a magical stone that was thought to keep people sober! Fun Transformations Here’s a mind-blowing science fact: If you heat amethyst to super high temperatures (over 500°C), it can actually change color and become citrine, another type of quartz. Talk about a rock star with shape-shifting powers! Where Do Amethysts Come From? These purple gems are found in awesome locations around the world, including: Brazil Uruguay Zambia Canada United States The coolest part? Amethysts often hide inside geodes – rocks that look totally ordinary on the outside but reveal sparkling purple crystals when cracked open! Amethyst on Epidote, Las Vigas, Mexico. Photo: Jeff Scovil. So next time you see this beautiful purple stone, remember – it’s not just a pretty gem, it’s a geological superhero with a history as colorful as its amazing purple shine. 

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A close up of the top part of a snowflake

Is Ice a Mineral?

Education, Exhibits, News, Science /

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 straight from nature Not made by humans Can be found in the ground, mountains, or caves 3. No Living Stuff Allowed! ? Not made from plants or animals Totally non-living 4. Secret Chemical Recipe ? Has its own special mix of elements Like a unique ingredient list 5. Crystal Magic ? Grows in a super organized pattern Looks like tiny building blocks perfectly stacked But, what about water? Isn’t ice just frozen water? Water checks off 4 of the 5 requirements of being a mineral, but it is not SOLID.    What about ice cubes from the fridge?  No! Because they are made by humans. What about frozen treats, like shave ice? Most likely not, because it is made with ice from a freezer.  The next time it snows, enjoy playing in a mineral!

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Spooky minerals: ghost in geode.

Eerie Elegance: The Spooky Mineral Display You Can’t Miss

Events, Exhibits, News /

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,” these geological wonders offer a unique twist on the traditional Halloween experience.  Whether you’re searching for “rocks and minerals near me” or simply looking to indulge your curiosity, this special exhibit promises to thrill visitors of all ages. Join us as we delve into the mysterious world of these bewitching specimens, where science meets the supernatural. Prepare for a hauntingly good time at the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals, where every stone tells a story and every visit is an adventure! On display through the end of October 2024.  Can’t visit in person? Check out our virtual museum! Some minerals we tweaked their names, some we didn’t! Can you figure out which ones? Answers are at the bottom of the page.  Don’t miss Halloween at the Museum, Saturday, October 26th 2024 10am-2pm.  Answers:  Vampire-ite = Pyrite Azure-fright = Azurite Mal-achite = Malachite Diablo-eite = Diaboleite Devilline = Devilline Die-optase = Dioptase Skullecite = Scolecite Skeletal Quartz = Skeletal Quartz Screamatite = Hematite Frankenstein-linite = Franklinite Petrified Wood = Petrified Wood Jasper the Friendly Ghost = Jasper Morgue-enite = Morganite Rhod-crow-site = Rhodochrosite Count Rockula = Geode

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Summer Fest August 6-7, 2016

Events /

Our annual Summer Fest 2016 will be at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals Saturday and Sunday, August 6-7, 2016. This year will be bigger than ever! The hours are 10 AM – 5 PM. Admission is only $5, and kids 17 and under are FREE. The outdoor festival features a wide variety of rock, mineral, gem, and fossil dealers. We will have food, music, and plenty of fun family activities. Of course, our favorites Fred and Wilma Flintstone will be rolling in on the famous Flintmobile to give “rides” to children and adults. Rock clubs from around the region will be offering wonderful educational displays, demonstrations, and activities. The road construction is complete so you will have no problem finding your way through the new interchange at Highway 26 and Helvetia. Come early and stay the whole day. The entire museum will be open during this event, so you can explore all our displays after browsing vendors’ tents and creating a “pet rock.” Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy the refreshments at the museum. It’s a perfect event to spend with friends and family. Bring them all!

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New Display from Columbia-Willamette Faceters’ Guild

News /

We would like to welcome the Columbia-Willamette Faceters’ Guild’s new club display! Members of the CWFG will be displaying their own cut gemstones in two cases located by the Fred Van Sandt faceting display in the Master Gallery. This materials in this display will be rotated every six months in order to showcase new works. The word “gemstone” often conjures up the image of a round brilliant-cut diamond or one of a few other simple shapes. But many other faceting designs exist, and more are being dreamed up every day. CWFG members are inventive practitioners of the craft and we are delighted to show off their innovative stones. The CWFG joins four other regional rock & lapidary clubs who showcase their members’ work at the museum. Be sure to look for other display cases by the Oregon Agate & Mineral Society, Tualatin Valley Gem Club, Mt. Hood Rock Club, and the Clackamette Mineral & Gem Society.

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Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
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