Category: Minerals

Rockhounding, the fascinating hobby of collecting and studying rocks and minerals, is more than just a pastime—it’s a journey into the natural beauty of the earth. Enthusiasts, known as rockhounds, spend hours exploring landscapes, searching for unique geological treasures to add to their collections. From precious gems like diamonds and rubies to everyday minerals, rockhounding…

Richard Berger, a passionate collector of rare minerals and fossils, has assembled one of the world’s most awe-inspiring private collections. Dubbed “Masterpieces of the Earth,” his collection of over 100 massive specimens—featuring pieces like an amethyst geode the size of a small car, a 700-pound pyrite cluster, and a 3.5-ton quartz crystal—is now stored in…

The University of Portsmouth has received a remarkable gift of over 5,000 fossils, minerals, and rocks, donated by the widow of geologist Dr. Paul Olver. This extensive collection features rare and ancient specimens, including a plesiosaur thorax, Cretaceous and Jurassic starfish, giant shark and mammoth teeth, ammonites, and flint hand axes crafted by early humans.…

A recent Geoscience BC study sampled treetops for halogen elements to detect underground mineral deposits. The study, “A Geochemical Investigation of Halogens in Spruce Treetops and Integration with Existing Multi-Element Data,” investigates how tree-top samples could be analyzed for halogen elements to determine the presence of mineral deposits or changes in geology below ground. “Our…

On September 18th, 2019, author and collector Peter Cristofono gave a lecture at the Westborough Public Library. His lecture served as an introduction to the 275 minerals that can be found in Massachusetts and the best places to find them. Peter Cristofono has been an avid field collector of New England minerals, gems, and fossils…

The HardRock Summit 2021 in Denver is set to be a groundbreaking event for the gem, jewelry, mineral, and fossil industries. With a full schedule of educational programming and special exhibit presentations, this trade show aims to bring together professionals and enthusiasts alike for a unique experience. The event will be held in two key…

In the quaint town of Bethel, Maine, a new beacon of cultural and scientific exploration has emerged with the opening of the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (MMGM). This state-of-the-art facility, spanning 15,000 square feet across three floors, boasts an impressive collection of 40,000 gems and minerals, 6,000 meteorites, and a comprehensive library of 10,000…

The burgeoning field of subsea mining, particularly off the shores of Norway, is drawing significant attention for its potential to tap into the vast wealth of marine minerals lying deep beneath the ocean’s surface. With projections suggesting an industry capable of generating $20 billion in annual revenue by 2050, the race is on to develop…

A recent study led by Montana State University (MSU) Health and Human Development professor Dan Heil and his team of graduate and undergraduate students has shed light on the potential health benefits of drinking mineralized water. The research focused on the effects of consuming water with a high mineral content, specifically alkaline water supplemented by…

Managing deer herd health is akin to nurturing a good marriage; it requires effort, patience, and a strategic approach. Over the years, the practices of habitat and whitetail management have significantly evolved, introducing advanced methods such as food plots and mineral supplements to enhance deer health and antler growth. Mineral supplements are crucial for deer…

The quest to uncover Earth’s hidden carbon minerals has taken a significant leap forward. Scientists, leveraging advanced statistical calculations, have unveiled that at least 145 carbon-bearing minerals are yet to be discovered. This revelation has sparked a global initiative, enlisting the aid of both amateur collectors and professional mineralogists in a collective effort to uncover…

In a groundbreaking collaboration, researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory have embarked on a mission to assist the Dominican Republic in the exploration of rare earth elements (REEs). These elements, crucial for the manufacturing of modern technologies such as smartphones, computer hard drives, and flat-screen televisions, are found…

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft made history by successfully returning a sample of asteroid soil to Earth, marking the agency’s first-ever asteroid sample return mission. The spacecraft dropped off a capsule containing several ounces of material collected from the asteroid Bennu in the Utah desert, a significant milestone in space exploration and scientific research. About a quarter…

The intersection of geosciences with colonial histories is a complex and often overlooked area of study. The discipline of geology, along with its practices and collections, has historically been intertwined with colonial and Eurocentric approaches. This includes the mapping and study of foreign lands, the extraction of natural resources overseas, and a significant lack of…

Subsea technology company Seatools has achieved a significant milestone by delivering deep-sea mineral collection equipment for Allseas’ innovative seabed mining ship, the Hidden Gem. This delivery marks a pivotal advancement in the exploration and extraction of polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor, which are rich in essential metals for the burgeoning electric vehicle and renewable…

Nashik is home to Gargoti, a unique museum founded by K.C. Pandey, dedicated to showcasing the beauty and rarity of zeolites, minerals formed from ancient volcanic activity. These minerals, known for their delicate structures and vibrant colors, are the result of silicate minerals expelling water when heated, a process that takes place over millions of…

In the heart of Clark County, two rock shops stand as testaments to the enduring fascination humans have with the natural world. Handley Rock & Jewelry Supply, founded by Arlene Handley, is one of these gems. Handley’s shop is a treasure trove of natural wonders, each piece a silent storyteller of the earth’s ancient history.…

The discovery of a rock collected during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 has led scientists to conclude that the moon is approximately 40 million years older than previously estimated. This revelation places the moon’s formation at over 4.46 billion years ago, closely following the birth of the solar system itself. The rock sample, gathered…

A dedicated group of community members is rallying to protect a cherished piece of their local heritage—the historic 1906 truss bridge at Old Stone Fort. These passionate individuals have formed a group, “Save Our Old Stone Fort Bridge,” on Facebook to raise awareness and garner support for preserving the bridge as a pedestrian pathway. They…

Rockhounding, the hobby of collecting and studying rocks and minerals, attracts enthusiasts for various reasons, including the appreciation of natural beauty. Precious stones like diamonds and rubies, which are rocks themselves, exemplify the geological wonders waiting to be discovered by outdoor explorers. Starting with the Basics: The Rock Collector’s Code For those new to rockhounding,…