Nature’s Art: Geodes from the Collection of Robert R. Wiener

The Rye Arts Center

Spring - Summer 2021

Curated by Gail Harrison Roman, PhD A Tribute to Robert R. Wiener

The Rye Arts Center extends its gratitude and love to Bob Wiener:

Humanitarian, Connoisseur, Collector, Scholar, Educator,

Cherished Friend

Front cover: Vanadite, Morocco Back cover: Malachite, Congo

1 NATURE’S ART: GEODES FROM THE COLLECTION OF ROBERT R. WIENER Guiding Light of The Rye Arts Center

Robert R. Wiener exemplifies the Mission of The Rye Arts Center. He is a supporter of cultural endeavors for all and a staunch believer in extending the educational value of the arts to underserved populations. His largesse currently extends to the Center by his sharing geodes with us. This is the latest chapter of his enduring support that began thirty-five years ago.

Bob is responsible for saving 51 Milton Road by spearheading in 1986 the movement to prevent the city’s demolition of our home. He then led the effort to renovate the building that we now occupy. As a member of the RAC Board in the 1980s and 1990s, Bob helped guide the Center through its early years of expansion and success. His efforts have enabled RAC to become a beacon of the arts for the local community and beyond it. Bob has joined with RAC to place cases of his geodes in area schools, where they attract excited attention from children and adults alike.

Bob’s maxim is “The purpose of life is to give back.” Led and inspired by Bob, The Wiener Family Philanthropy supports dozens of organizations devoted to the arts, community initiatives, education, health care, and positive youth empowerment. From his home in Westchester County to New York City and Colorado, and throughout Israel, Bob has facilitated programming that educates, inspires, and elevates people around the globe. A humanitarian, Bob opens his heart to thousands of people. A dynamo, his involvement with individuals and groups quickly becomes a shared commitment to helping those in need. Among his many efforts to help underserved children, we gratefully acknowledge Bob’s support for RAC’s outreach programs that began with Head Start decades ago.

A dedicated and prescient collector, Bob has amassed a vast collection of magnificent crystals that originate in geodes -- long in advance of the current vogue for collecting them. While galleries, auction houses, and individual collectors have recently focused increasing attention on these works, Bob has been admiring and collecting them for more than forty years.

2 Bob fondly remembers his childhood visits with his grandmother to New York City’s Museum of Natural History, where he was fascinated by the mineral exhibit there, which -- for a young boy -- rivalled the dinosaur fossils on display. Some years later, Bob made his first purchase of geodes by chance when he was twenty-seven years old on a visit to Puerto Rico. On a nighttime walk in Old San Juan, he spotted a window display of diamonds in a jewelry store, which were showcased against a backdrop of minerals. Bob explains, “I didn’t buy any diamonds, but I bought six geodes.”

Since that inaugural moment in his collecting history, Bob has amassed nearly three thousand geodes. An authority in his own right, he works with geologists and other professionals to acquire many of his pieces from the major annual trade shows in Tucson and Denver. His advice to fledgling collectors is: “Start small. Enjoy the passion. Buy one you really like instead of three.”

What distinguishes Bob’s collection is that his voracious appetite for collecting is informed by his deep knowledge and boundless love of these “rocks.” These add to our visual delight and enhance our knowledge of the earth. Rather than collect jewelry, decorative objects, or artworks that feature crystal forms in a variety of contexts, Bob maintains focus on the rocks themselves. Aesthetics and science account for his choice of objects and their display. Wide-ranging in their geographic origins and prismatic reflections, Bob’s geodes allow us to experience our planet’s geologic history, their vital practical uses, and their visual delights.

In Bob’s ongoing collecting, he has become an accomplished scholar of crystallography and the other disciplines that explain geodes (geology, mineralogy, etc.). He is familiar with international research and with mining activities around the world. Bob’s extensive scholarship and mindful collecting have informed the display of his geodes with excellence and elegance. Bob’s collection rivals those in museums of natural history around the world, and they have been exhibited in art and science museums. These stellar works are a testament to Bob’s aesthetic sensibility, his visual acuity, and his enthusiastic appreciation of the blending of Art, Nature, and Science.

3 Shared joy

Bob states that geodes bring him joy, a feeling that he hopes will affect others. He explains that “Geodes are part of the eccentric beauty that God delivers to us.”

This exhibit enables RAC to extend Bob’s “joy” to visitors of all ages. The first exhibit of “Nature’s Art: Geodes from the Collection of Robert R. Wiener” took place in our Gallery in 2013, with huge attendance and with public and critical acclaim. As Bob claimed in 2013, “The Rye Arts Center may have started something!...”

We invite you to contemplate—with “joy” -- the intimate relationships among Art, Nature and Science, and the ways in which they are intricately linked, producing “Nature’s Art.”

Gail Harrison Roman, PhD, curator

4 Special Thanks to:

■ Robert R. Wiener ○ for his generosity, wisdom, love, and support ■ Claudia Mauro and Suzi Randolph ○ for their help in all things geodes and beyond ■ Alan M. Piñon Navarro and Melvin Hernandez ○ for their patience and assistance ■ Adam Levi ○ for his expertise, guidance, and friendship ■ Caitlin McMenamin ○ for her design capabilities, creativity, and sense of humor ■ Sarah McKay ○ for her aesthetic sensibilities and discerning eye ■ Laura Wilcox ○ for being our legendary saint of paint ■ Vicky Blank ○ for her many indulgences, large and small ■ Anne Fumasoli ○ for her camaraderie and smiling encouragement ■ Noah Opitz ○ for his engaging dialogue and thoughtful suggestions ■ Kim Wilson ○ for ensuring we get it done ■ The Gallery Committee, the Staff, and the Board of The RAC ○ for their continued interest and involvement ■ The Roman Family ○ for their endearing support and enduring love

5 NATURE’S ART: GEODES

ESSAY BY GAIL HARRISON ROMAN, PhD

Geodes pictured in this catalogue are from the Robert R. Wiener Collection and appear with his permission.

6 Geodes from the Collection of Robert R. Wiener on Exhibit at The Rye Arts Center 2021

■ Agate ■ Crocoite ■ Memetite ■ Amethyst ■ Dioptase ■ Mesolite ■ Apatite ■ Dolomite ■ Muscovite ■ Aquamarine ■ Epidote ■ Orpiment ■ Aragonite ■ Fluorite ■ Prehnite ■ Arsenopyrite ■ Galena ■ Pyrite ■ Azurite ■ Garnet ■ Quartz ■ Barite ■ Goethite ■ Rhodochrosite ■ Brasilianite ■ Gypsum ■ Scolecite ■ Calcite ■ Helvite ■ Sphalerite ■ Cassiterite ■ Hematite ■ Stibnite ■ Celestite ■ Hemimorphite ■ Stilbite ■ Cerussite ■ Heulandite ■ Sulfur ■ Chalcedony ■ Magnetite ■ Vanadinite ■ Chalcopyrite ■ Malachite ■ Vivianite ■ Chrysocolla ■ Manganoan ■ Wulfenite ■ Citrine Calcite ■ Creedite

Plus: ■ Trilobite [Fossil] ■ Petrified Wood ■ Phosphorescent Rock (calcite, fluorite, et al.)

A discussion of selected minerals from the Collection appears later in this essay.

7 What is a Geode?

A Geode is a rock with a hollowed-out cavity in which crystalline structures form where minerals have been deposited by groundwater or hydrothermal activity over millions of years.

Cracking open a Geode might reveal a colorful crystal inside. Enlivened by their natural beauty and prismatic color and informed by their environmental context, Geodes are an explosive celebration of nature’s finest aesthetic productions. The word Geode derives from the Greek word meaning “the shape of the earth” (γεώδες). Geodes are found all over the world, mostly in rocky and volcanic areas, in Afghanistan, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Russia, Spain, the western United States, and elsewhere (perhaps read: everywhere).

These precious minerals -- among them gold, silver, copper, malachite, and azurite -- have inhabited the earth for eons. Together, they carry within them the geological history of our planet.

8 Geodes and our Earth

Geology is the study of the earth.

Geodes tell the story of the Earth subsequent to the extraordinary cosmic event known as the “Big Bang,” which formed the earth approximately 4.5 billion years ago. They appear in the earth’s outer and inner layers. The Earth’s layers are:

● Core - a solid inner core and a fluid outer core ● Mantle - a layer of dense minerals ● Continental Crust - a thin crust composed of rocks and minerals with chemical compositions that differ from those in the Core and Mantle. Its rocks and crystalline masses have been subjected to the natural processes of the rock cycle: erosion, metamorphism, and sedimentarism. This crust covers about one-third of the earth’s surface.

9 Mineralogy is the study of Minerals, which are the building blocks of rocks (the study of which is petrology; they are naturally occurring inorganic solids with a distinct chemical composition and an ordered atomic arrangement. These types of rocks characterize Planet Earth, and examples of these can be found in Geodes from the Robert R. Wiener Collection. Like fossils, they contain the history of our earth.

Igneous Rocks begin in volcanoes of hot lava. As the molten rock cools and crystallizes, it forms into granite, obsidian, amethyst crystals, or other materials, depending on the rate of cooling. These are found in mountainous and volcanic terrain.

10 Metamorphic Rocks develop when extreme heat and pressure cause rocks to melt and flow, changing as new minerals replace the old ones, as in one example, marble.

Often considered luxurious decorative material, marble is extremely strong and can be used as a building material.

Sedimentary Rocks are formed when wind, water, and ice break rocks into small pieces called sediment.

As water flows downhill, it carries the pieces of sediment into lakes and oceans, where they pile up and stick together as rock again, as in most of the earth’s surface. These are found in rocky formations and desert areas. Fabulous natural elements and limestone buildings result.

11 Note: Phosphorescent Rocks can be sourced from volcanic (igneous) rock. They glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet light. All minerals can reflect light; this is called fluorescence, which makes the rocks visible to the human eye. Fluorescence occurs when energy from a light source reacts with chemicals in a mineral and causes it to glow.

Phosphorescent Rocks glow for a longer time than fluorescent ones after their light source is turned off; they do not immediately emit the light they have absorbed. Short-wave ultraviolet light - aka “black light” - reacts with chemicals in the rock and makes it glow. When a mineral continues to glow after the black light is turned off, it is phosphorescent (also seen in glow-in-the-dark paints and toys).

12 Crystallography Crystals are found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock. They are most commonly recognized in gemstone jewelry. The most popular among these are the lustrous, colorful, light-reflecting crystals that are found in a rock cavity (Geode); these are highly prized by collectors and museums as stunning examples of “Nature’s Art.”

The crystalline state of matter is the most fundamental property of minerals. The word “crystal” derives from the Greek word meaning "ice" or "crystal” (κρύσταλλος). Extracted from Geodes, they typically begin as liquid. As the liquid cools and evaporates, the atoms in the liquid join together to form the crystal. Crystals are solid formations whose atoms are arranged in a specific repetitive 3-dimensional pattern, seen as flat, geometric shapes called “faces,” and they occur in numerous shapes and colors.

13 Crystals are rated according to varying criteria by geologists, collectors, and curators: ● Color - clear - best for diamonds; otherwise, intensity most important ● Transparency – suggests internal perfection ● Luster – reflective, refractive, and absorptive properties

● Size – measured in carats (= 1/5 gram) ● Clarity/Perfection – of “masterpiece” quality, without defects -- a rare occurrence ● Provenance – history of ownership from its discovery to present owner ● Matrix of Presentation – original rock in which a geode forms ● Orientation and Grouping – how a crystal is seen in relation to its matrix (those in high relief from the matrix will appear more aesthetically pleasing than those in low relief) ● Aesthetics – visually pleasing quality of a geode, determined by any one or several of its characteristics, and often verbally described using arts terminology ● [Rarity is added when determining value]

14 The word “crystal” derives from the ancient Greek “krustallos,” meaning “icy cold” because ancient philosophers believed that quartz crystal was a form of supercooled ice, which is rapidly brought from its freezing point to -42 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kyanite & Tourmaline, Afghanistan Fluorite & Quartz, China

Pink Quartz & Chalcedony

15 From Earth to Us: Excavation and Mining

Geology is the study of the earth; Mineralogy is the study of minerals; Petrology is the study of rocks; Crystallography is the study of crystals.

Together, these scientific disciplines are used by humans to discover and extract geodes from the earth both for scientific study and aesthetic display. Geodes are mined all over the world and have been for millennia – unearthed by primitive bone or stone tools and by contemporary sophisticated robotics.

From Paleolithic hand-chipping and burning rock to Roman water-powered hydraulic pumps, ancient mining rapidly gave way to increasingly advanced technological methods of extracting ore and precious stones from the earth.

Excavation and Mining go hand-in-hand in bringing geodes out of the earth. Excavation is the act of making hollow (literally, “ex-cavating”) by cutting, scooping, or digging out part of a solid mass. Mining is the activity of removing solid forms from the earth.

16 Removing minerals from rocky ground is difficult and dangerous. Working in a mine requires proper field equipment designed for scientific investigation and adherence to carefully prescribed safety methods. Furthermore, proper documentation must be recorded (hand-written notes now replaced by digital tablets); and secure and timely arrangements must be made to ensure identification and transport of the specimens to a site where they will be cleaned, preserved, and stored. Ownership and display are the final determinants of the rocks’ ultimate home. Mining and Excavation are carried out by specially trained personnel who, today, use heavy-duty industrial machines and tools.

Hard-Rock Mining takes place in rocky areas by blasting and drilling. Placer Mining takes place in areas where valuables have not been eroded by weather conditions and have been carried by water from their places of origin. These deposits are then sifted to separate out the denser materials -- gold and gemstones such as sapphires, jade, and some quartz crystals -- through the process of Panning. As Geodes are delicate by nature, blasting and drilling are reserved for the most stubborn environments. A large number of Geodes are destroyed in the removal process.

The most notable historical incidence of mining springs from the mid-nineteenth century “Gold Rush” in the western United States and Canada.

17 Mining for precious stones and minerals was an important factor in the westward expansion of the United States, abetted by the extension of railroad tracks across the country. To encourage mining on federal lands, the government passed the General Mining Act of 1872. Subsequently, mining camps were established throughout the western territories.

Mining has become increasingly controversial in today’s environmentally sensitive times. Along with deforestation, it is considered a detriment to the natural landscape, its flora and fauna, and is especially harmful to people because of hazardous air- and water-borne pollutants that often accompany mining activities. Advanced technologies have facilitated safer and more efficient mining activities, lacking only stronger policies regarding clean air and water.

Quartz, Arkansas

Note: See PostScript I for a listing of mines and mining districts where geodes on exhibit originate

18 The Ins & Outs of Rocks

19 Facts and Fun Facts about Selected Geodes in the Collection of Robert R. Wiener and Exhibited at The Rye Arts Center (2021)

Each element has its own chemical formula and geometric structure, which vary greatly and account for their origin and form. These crystals attract visual fascination, and they evoke imaginative, historical, and cultural interest. Their prismatic effects, startling colors, and often unexpected shapes are the subjects of ongoing scientific and aesthetic investigations and exhibits.

Notes: Readers should consult scientific resources for detailed information. Some specimens may contain minerals that are not listed. Partial listings of geographical locations may appear.

20 AMETHYST is a violet or purple variety of Quartz with a vitreous luster. It has a six-sided pyramidal structure that makes it sparkle as it reflects light from different angles, making it a highly desired gemstone. It is found in granite rock quarries throughout the world. Its purple color is caused by the presence of iron.

Amethyst on exhibit at RAC comes from: ● Santa Ana Quarry, Artigas, Uruguay [right image, above] ● Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil ● Vera Cruz, Mexico ● Goboboseb Mountains, Namibia [left image above

Fun Facts: ● Because the ancient Greeks believed amethyst was an antidote to drunkenness, they used it as a material for wine glasses. ● Medieval soldiers carried amulets made of amethyst in battle to bring them protection. ● Amethyst poses a challenge to gem cutters, who must cut the stone so that the color of the finished gem will be homogeneous, ensuring the maximum “sparkle” effect.

21 APOPHYLLITE is a multi-colored, light-hued mineral whose luster appears vitreous to pearly, Apophyllite often appears with Stilbite, Calcite or Quartz and is found in igneous rock formations, notably in Maharashtra State, India.

STILBITE is typically colorless, white or pink, and may occur in other colors as well, with a vitreous to pearly lustre. It typically appears in thin tabular or bowtie forms.

APOPHYLLITE AND STILBITE frequently appear together, often with other minerals, in various districts in Maharashtra, India.

Those on exhibit on RAC come from: ● Pune (Poonah)District ● Jalgaon District ● Sakur Plateau

22 AZURITE is a brilliant deep blue caused by the oxidation of Copper, which gives this mineral its distinctive coloring, enhanced by its vitreous luster. It is found in areas of low humidity, such as deserts of the Middle East and North Africa. It frequently occurs with Malachite.

Fun Facts: ● Our knowledge of this mineral dates at least to the ancient Roman text, Natural History, published by the poet Pliny the Elder in 77CE, in which he referred to the substance by its Latin name “caeruleum”. ● Mixed with oil and water, Azurite was used as a blue pigment by artists during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and has often been confused with the much more expensive Lapis Lazuli.

MALACHITE occurs in all shades of solid or banded green. If crystalline, its lustre is vitreous; if massive, its luster is dull to earthy. Individual crystals are rare but may occur as slender or needle-like prisms. It is typically found in deep underground spaces where the water table and hydrothermal fluids provide the means for chemical precipitation that forms the Malachite. It frequently occurs with Azurite.

23 Fun Facts: ● In ancient Egypt, where green was associated with death and resurrection; the latter was attained in a “field of malachite” where the dead would reside in the afterlife with no suffering. In life malachite was worn as a talisman to ward off evil spirits and natural disasters as well as to ensure health, success, and love. ● From ca. 2500BCE to 600CE, mining in Britain with bone and stone tools produced nearly 1800 tons of copper from mining Malachite. ● The Malachite Room in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia [formerly the tsar’s palace] is a unique and extraordinary display of decoration in the malachite wall pilasters and much of the furniture. ● Considered today to be rare and expensive.

MALACHITE AND AZURITE on exhibit at RAC come from: ● Morocco: Bou Azer District, Quarzazate Province, Souss-Massa-Draa Region ● Congo: Katanga (Shaba) Province Greece: Christiana Mine, Kamariza

24 BARITE is typically white or colorless and can be yellow, red, green or black in the presence of iron ore.Its luster is pearly. It is found in lead-zinc veins, hot springs, and some limestones, and it often forms with other minerals.

Barite on exhibit at the RAC comes from: ● Morocco: Khenifra Province in the Meknes-Tafilalet Region ● Algeria:Sidi Lachen Mine ● China: Xiefang Mine, Rujin Co., Gangjhou Prefecture, Jianxi Province ● Romania: Herja Mine,Chiuzbaia Mare, Maramures County

Fun Facts: ● 17th century alchemists considered the phosphorescent quality of some Barite found near Bologna, Italy, to have the desired “magic” formula for transformation into gold; sometimes called “Bologna Stone.” ● It is a source of the chemical Barium and is used in oil and gas exploration and in the construction and automotive trades.

25 CALCITE is extremely varied in color and shape; more than 800 forms have been identified. It is typically colorless or white but can be red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or brown. Its luster is vitreous, and its soft surface can be scratched with a knife. It is found throughout the world in deposits in hot springs and caverns.

Calcite on exhibit at RAC comes from: ● Sweetwater Mine, Missouri ● Jalgaon District, Maharashtra, India ● Palmarejo Mine, Mexico

Fun Facts: ● Trilobite (a fossil included in this exhibition) had unique compound eyes that used clear calcite crystals to form the lenses. ● Much Calcite is formed from the shells of dead marine organisms ● The ancient Egyptians named this element for their goddess named Bast and used this alabaster for decorative objects. ● Among optical experiments using Calcite, there have even been some investigations into developing a cloak of invisibility. (Harry Potter fans, take note!)

26 FLUORITE is commonly seen as green or blue but often appears colorless; In the presence of impurities, however, it can appear in a variety of colors. Its luster is vitreous. It occurs as a result of hydrothermal activity in veins that have been identified by miners.

Fluorite on exhibit at RAC comes from:

● China: Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China ● Namibia: Okoruso Mine, Otjiwarongo District

Fun Fact: ● The word “fluorescent” comes from Fluorite because it might glow (or “fluoresce”) under ultraviolet light ● It makes a valuable contribution to the advancement of glass used in microscopes and telescopes.

27 HEMATITE is rusty reddish-brown, black, or gray with a dull, earthy luster, Hematite is a significant ore of Iron. Often occurring with other elements, it is found in banded iron formations, typically in aqueous environments in still standing water or at hot springs.

Hematite on exhibit at RAC comes from: ● China: Jin Hill Mine, Guangdong Province, China [standing water] ● Wyoming, Montana, Idaho: Yellowstone National Park [hot springs]

Fun Facts: Hematite has been identified on several sites on the planet Mars, spotted through NASA’s infrared spectrometer on the 1998 Mars Global Surveyor and again on the 2001 Mars Odyssey.

28 HEULANDITE occurs pink, white, colorless, or green and with a pearly or vitreous luster, It is found in igneous basalt rock from Iceland to India.

Some reddish-brown specimens have been found in England and Italy as well, as well as at ancient sites in Sardinia. It is found in igneous basalt rock and in hydrothermal veins.

Heulandite on exhibit at RAC comes from: ● India: Pune (Poonah) District, Maharashtra

Fun Fact: Heulandite often forms with other elements to produce the most striking miniature “scenes.”

29 MANGANOCALCITE (MANGANO CALCITE) is not considered a separate element but a varietal based on its dual composition, with a pearly luster. It appears in light to dark tones of pink, as determined by the amount of Manganese present; occasionally, white inclusions of Calcite appear. It occurs as irregular rounded shapes and pointed spiky forms. At times it forms with other minerals.

Manganocalcite on exhibit at RAC comes from: ● Peru: Pachapaqui Mine, Ancash Province, Peru

Fun Fact: Manganocalcite is extremely popular among those who believe in the metaphysical properties of crystals. These healing stones are celestite

30 PYRITE (“Fool’s Gold”), with its brassy, golden color and metallic luster creates Pyrite’s association with Gold. Its hardness and brittleness distinguish it from Gold, as does its regular shape (which is cubic or multi-faceted crystals)

Pyrite on exhibit at RAC comes from: ● Spain: Navajun, La Rioja ● Italy: Elba Island, Livorno Province, Tuscany

Fun Facts: Known as “Fool’s Gold'' for its deceptive likeness to natural Gold, Pyrite was responsible for disappointing many miners in the mid-nineteenth century gold rush in the western United States and Canada; no doubt it was the culprit in many fraudulent schemes.

● Dishonesty or ignorance among alchemists in the fourteenth-seventeenth centuries in Europe no doubt accounted for fraudulent transactions when an awestruck buyer was deceived by the transformation of a base metal into “Gold.” ● Pyrite was used as a flint-like material to ignite firearms in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. ● In the early, twentieth century, Pyrite was used as a mineral detector in radio receivers (still used by crystal hobbyists).

31 QUARTZ The most commonly known crystal, Quartz is typically-- but not exclusively -- colorless, appearing in vitreous luster. One of the hardest crystals, it forms as flat faces and sharp edges. It is composed of silicon dioxide, which makes up about 59% of the earth’s crust. Silica is essential to human life, to the environment, and to technological progress. It often twins with other quartz crystals that may obscure or distort it, producing new formations of color and shape.

Quartz on exhibit at RAC comes from: ● The Zigras Mine, Reynolds County, Missouri ● Collier Creek Mine, Mt. Ida, Montgomery County, Arkansas ● Hamilton Mine, Garland County, Arkansas ● Santander Department, Colombia ● Jin Long Iron Mine, Guangdong,China ● Madan, Smolyan Province, Bulgaria

Fun Facts: Well-formed quartz crystals typically form as “druse” (layer of crystals lining a void) and are popular as jewelry.

32 SCOLECITE is colorless as well as pink, salmon, red, green with a pearly luster. It appears in sprays of thin prismatic needles and in fibrous masses. Its form presents a challenge to the observer: to the naked eye, it looks soft and “fluffy,” whereas to the naked finger, it feels sharp and prickly. It seems large and imposing in contrast to the crystalline structures which often share the same matrix (rock on which the minerals form). Scolecite on exhibit at RAC comes from:

● Maharashtra, India

Fun Fact: Scolecite is named for the Greek word for worm (σκουλήκι) because of the mineral’s tendency to curl into a ball when heated in a blowpipe, much the way a worm might curl in on itself when threatened.

33 VANADINITE is reddish-brown in color with a resinous to vitreous luster, Vanadinite is a relatively uncommon mineral. It is formed by oxidation of lead deposits in arid areas.

Vanadinite on exhibit at RAC comes from:

● Morocco’s Mibladen Mining District, Midelt, Khenifra Province: ● MeknesTafilalet Region ● Draa-Tafilalet Region ● El Kwal, Upper Moulouya Lead District

Fun Fact: Vanadinite was originally known as “brown lead,” and has also been called Vanadium, Johnstonite, and Lead Vanadate.

34 The Ins & Outs of Rocks

Quartz & Sphalerite, Peru

35 A Selective Look at Geodes, Crystals, and Gemstones in History and Culture:

From Rock to Jewel

Gem cutting by a lapidarist is an art that requires a good eye, great dexterity, proper equipment, and both simple and high-tech tools (hand and mechanized buffers, chisels, files, grinders, hammers, saws, and lasers, etc.). These techniques have been enhanced by technological methods, but traditional gem-cutters are prized among gemologists for their hand-wrought artistry and crafted design.

The evolution of gem cutting has evolved from creating individual objects to certain specifications on commission to thriving luxury and mass markets.

Inspired by Geodes from the Collection of Bob Wiener, I have added this essay about related historical and cultural topics.of precious minerals. Precious minerals (crystals) and organic gems (pearls) have a long history in gemology, and their various uses are impressive. Scientists have long explored their uses in molecular investigations, establishing the relationship between crystallography and mineralogy.

36 In addition, many Geodes’ crystals have applications in agriculture, design, industry, and medicine. Artists and writers have engaged with these natural forms -- both as physical material and creative content -- from the Stone Age to the present, in many cases revealing their fascination with minerals of all kinds. Many believe that crystals contain healing powers.

A selective history follows, highlighting particular uses of gemstones, crystals, and other precious minerals before the “modern” world. Granite (igneous rock), marble (metamorphic rock), and limestone (sedimentary rock) -- as well as wood -- are among the natural materials used throughout much of history to build structures and to create utilitarian and decorative objects. Fortified and combined with modern (steel) and synthetic (plastics) innovations, these materials have produced a rich and fascinating array of architecture, sculpture, and design.

As Stone Age peoples transformed from a nomadic lifestyle to settled communities, they began to mine obsidian from Geodes, and the objects they created (such as arrowheads and dishes) were likely the earliest items of trade. As that trade led to the development of communication, Geodes significantly impacted the progress of civilization.

With the growth of society came the widespread mining and manufacture of precious materials, with an attendant appreciation for symbols of wealth and status, notably jeweled ornamentation for women and men, and decorative objects for personal and religious use; these included gold and silver, and crystalline gems.

37 Adornment with jewelry (of various materials) dates to the Paleolithic Era when people decorated themselves with shell, bone and pebbles, cut and often polished with tools made from the same materials. Ancient peoples mined and designed jewelry, which became a mark of social class and status, an identification that endures to this time. As shown in archaeological evidence dating from approximately 5,000 years ago, jewelry-making was a widespread craft in ancient Mesopotamia.

Artifacts from tombs at the Royal Cemetery of Ur reveal treasure troves of objects in gold and silver and in semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, fashioned into crowns, necklaces, amulets, and other personal adornments.

By the seventh century BCE, cut quartz crystals such as red carnelian and rock crystal beads were cut into earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, which were signs of wealth and social status in Assyrian society.

38 Ancient texts attest to the cultural value of gemstones made from Geodes’ crystals. The

Hebrew text (ca. 11th - 10th century BCE) cited in Proverbs 31:10-31 asks: “A woman of ”.who can find? For her price is far above rubies (הוא קורא לה אשת חיל) valor Traditionally recited at a funeral for a Jewish woman, it praises her strength and character and places her above the finest of jewels, the ruby.

In Book XXXVII of his treatise Natural History [Naturalis Historia], the Roman poet Pliny wrote in 78 BCE of “the glories” of opals, the fire of rubies, the richness of purple amethyst, the sea-green of the emerald, and the deep blue of azurite -- and all shining together as one. The brilliant hues of gemstones were, to Pliny, the rivals of a painter’s palette.

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans created jewelry primarily for personal use. The value of these objects naturally restricted their ownership to the wealthy members of society.

39 Geodes have been mined throughout the world in Europe and the United States and also widely.in Africa, the Far East, and South America, reflecting one of the many cultural developments promoted by early multinational trade and conquest. Not only were these coveted objects symbols of wealth and status, but they were also used as currency and for investment.

In pre-modern Africa, in the colonial Americas, in Asia, and in Europe, possessing jewelry and art remained the province of the ruling classes and the rich. Artifacts and artworks reveal an abundance of historical information. An Egyptian papyrus dating from the New Kingdom and seen here in reproduction, shows the Pharaoh’s attendants wearing jeweled neck, arm and wrist bands and adorned headdresses (which indicate their roles in the hierarchy).

40 In the post-ancient world, jewelry continued to be valued by the small stratum of society that possessed wealth to purchase gems or to commission precious objects for devotion; large royal and religious institutions as well as private patrons also commissioned treasured objects for devotion or for ceremonial displays as well as personal adornment and interior design.

In Asia, many ritual objects and personal amulets have been made of gold and studded with jewels, notably prevalent among Tibetan Buddhist sculptures. In the western world, the Catholic and Orthodox Christian Churches and numerous royal houses have commissioned jeweled chalices and other ritual objects.

41 Similarly, artisans designed secular objects with crystals to satisfy personal tastes and to endow utilitarian objects with grandeur achieved through design and expensive materials.

This writer has noted -- albeit with admittedly limited exposure -- a recurrent theme in literature concerning the possession or loss of jewels, a motif that often appears in numerous folk tales. As one example, the Chinese folk tale “The Jade Stone” presents recurring human conflicts tempered by moralizing advice about loyalty and honesty. Known as the “Stone of Heaven,” jade is considered to be the most precious stone in Chinese culture, as it is believed to bring prosperity, success, and good luck; it also symbolizes renewal and immortality.

42 The lure and significance of a precious substance is most persuasively characterized by alchemists’ fascination with gold. The ancient pseudo-science of alchemy, practiced across the globe, gained particular popularity in fifteenth-century Italy, largely as a result of the publication by Marsilo Ficino of his Latin translation of ancient texts on hermetic subjects. Further encouraged by contemporaneous Humanistic and Neoplatonic theorists who counseled against studying physics and other “provable” sciences, alchemists posited that base metals like copper and lead could be transformed into gold (most often found in quartz rock) -- mystically or magically but “always” by the alchemists’ intervention. In this way, pyrite could rival other precious gems for their value as currency and adornment. The Gold Rush in mid-nineteenth century America and Canada provoked a similar frenzy to possess gold for its great monetary value. This gave rise to many claims of pyrite, better known as “Fool’s Gold,” for its intrinsic imitative appearance.

43 Gemstones have maintained their popularity and “precious” identity throughout human history in all their cultural manifestations. Brilliant “sparkling rocks”-- as well as gold, silver, other precious minerals, and carved stone beads -- appear throughout history as prominent historical artifacts as well as accessories in portrait paintings, often the province of royalty.

In a large mosaic prominently installed at San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora are depicted in a sixth century mosaic that features the jewels they wore in real life, thus announcing their power and wealth, which were inextricably combined. Similarly, the Silla Kingdom ornate crown from Korea is rich in material and symbolism.

Royal (Burial?) Crown late 5th century. Gold & Jade Silla Kingdom, (SE Korea)

Royalty throughout history have not been shy about flaunting their wealth and power, both in ceremonial object and portraiture, equalling their “majesty.”

44 In

45 Sanchez Gualque’s painting, The Three Mulattoes of Esmeraldes [Los Tres Mulatos de Esmeraldes] (1599), a father and his two sons, leaders of an Afro-Indian community in Spanish colonial Ecuador present themselves – in the form of this painting - to the court in mixed regalia: European court dress and native accessories (nose rings, shell necklaces, gold facial accessories, and spears), which attest to their self-importance and native heritage as well as their homage to King Philip III to whom this painting was to be presented.

46 Time and inexorable progress inevitably wrought changes in all aspects of society, as the “modern” age developed. The Ages of Invention and Enlightenment in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, respectively, ushered in greater scientific understanding of the physical universe, especially astronomy, biology, and geology; as a result, emerging philosophies of deism, existentialism and naturalism began to broaden the cultural landscape, enriched by thriving trade between East and West.

47 During these exciting times of change and progress, jewelry remained a constant representation of wealth and beauty, from Mughal India to Lima, Peru, and beyond. These rich objects were coveted by royal and religious institutions alike, notably observed in “donor portraits.”

48 In some older cultures, warriors were held in high esteem and often wore heavily decorated masks in ceremonies that celebrated their victories. Designs were typically dictated by convention or by the patron. The artisans were rarely acknowledged or received credit for their designs or workmanship; their work was associated with the wearer or by the occasion on which it was displayed. In the late nineteenth century in the western United States, it was not uncommon for Native American craftspeople to sell their wares – considered for their merchandise value rather than for their artistry -- along roadsides and in mining and ranching towns.

49 By the twentieth century, a rising upper middle class began wearing jewelry as a fashion statement, just as wealthier people had done for centuries. In his painting Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, Gustav Klimt sardonically presented this bejeweled woman as subsumed by an overly-patterned dress and constrained by an excessively jeweled “choker” necklace.

In another example of the sumptuousness of jewels -- and their frequent association with feminine sensuality -- the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s featured the actress Audrey Hepburn wearing a four-strand pearl necklace and a diamond tiara.

50 In her painting Pretty Woman (1973), Audrey Flack exaggerated the association of luxury objects as the sole determinants of womanhood. The artist eliminated the human element from her painting Pretty Woman (1973); instead she defines the subject solely by jewelry and other feminine accessories arrayed on the dressing table.

The obsession with accessorizing to the point of dehumanizing or even eliminating the person from the visual and conceptual narrative has a literary parallel in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), which exposes the excessive fascination of jewels to a person whose inherent taste for them has justified this obsession.

51 Although not “geodes,” pearls have a similarly attractive presence and use as decorative jewelry. Pearls have acquired a particularly strong literary presence, perhaps because of the lure of the sea, their milky white beauty, or their perfectly rounded shape – all of which can symbolize unattainability. Like amber, they have a non-crystalline structure that classifies them as “organic gems'' (Bonewitz, 10), as opposed to “crystalline gems.” They have long fascinated adventure and mystery writers, such as Jules Verne, John Steinbeck and Agatha Christie. In 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1870), Verne’s character Captain Nemo defines a pearl by its varying meanings as determined by the observer: a brilliant jewel to ladies, a mixture of phosphate and carbonate of lime to the chemist; and a “tear of the sea” to a poet. Steinbeck’s novella The Pearl (1947) shows the good and evil that can come from possessing a valuable object, as the struggling protagonists face alternating states of hope and despair. As to be expected, jewel thefts are a popular theme in mysteries, as typified in Agatha Christie’s short story, “The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan'' (1924), in which the detective Hercule Poirot solves the mystery of the wittily named Mrs. Opalson’s missing necklace. Guy de Maupassant’s short story “The Necklace'' adds irony and social commentary to this genre.

52 Postscripts Geodes in Our World Today: PostScript I: Selective List of Mines and Mining Districts Mining, Industry, Nature, Art, and More Geodes and other minerals have been mined for millennia throughout the world. A selection of the mines and mining districts where the rocks from the Robert R. Wiener Collection on exhibit have originated appears below. I. Mines & Mining Districts II. Industrial Uses AFRICA III. Damien Hirst: Nature’s Past Meets Modern Art Democratic Republic of the Congo IV. Healing Crystals & Astrology ● Katanga District o Malachite ● Star of the Congo Mine, Katanga Province o Malachite, Chrysacolla

Morocco ● Bou Azer District, Ouarzazate Province o Azurite, Malachite ● Mecissi, Meknes-Tafilalet, El Rachidia Province o Azurite, Malachite, Quartz ● Mibladen Mining District, Khenifra Province o Vanadinite ● Sidi Lahcen Mine, Nador Province ● Blue Barite

Namibia ● Goboboseb Mountains, Brandberg Area, Erongo Region o Amethyst ● Kaokoveld Mine, Kunene Region o Dioptase ● Okoruso Mine, Otjiwarongo District o Fluorite

53 PostScript I: Selective List of Mines and Mining Districts Geodes and other minerals have been mined for millennia throughout the world. A selection of the mines and mining districts where the rocks from the Robert R. Wiener Collection on exhibit have originated appears below.

AFRICA

Democratic Republic of the Congo ● Katanga District o Malachite ● Star of the Congo Mine, Katanga Province o Malachite, Chrysacolla

Morocco ● Bou Azer District, Ouarzazate Province o Azurite, Malachite ● Mecissi, Meknes-Tafilalet, El Rachidia Province o Azurite, Malachite, Quartz ● Mibladen Mining District, Khenifra Province o Vanadinite ● Sidi Lahcen Mine, Nador Province ● Blue Barite

Namibia ● Goboboseb Mountains, Brandberg Area, Erongo Region o Amethyst ● Kaokoveld Mine, Kunene Region o Dioptase ● Okoruso Mine, Otjiwarongo District o Fluorite

54 ASIA China ● Jinlong Iron Mine, Longchuan, Guangdong o Quartz, iron-stained; Hematite ● Jianshan Mine, Ruoqiang, o Wulfenite ● Lechang Mine, Guangdong o Quartz; Hematite ● Laochang Ore Field, Geiju, Yunnan o Hemimorphite ● Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu, Mianyang, Sichuan o Cassiterite ● Xiefang Mine, Ruijin Co. Guangzhou, Jiangxi o Barite ● Xianghualing Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan o Fluorite

India ● Jalgaon District Apophyllite, Scolecite, Stilbite ● Pune District, Maharashtra: o Apophyllite, Stilbite, Heulandite, Quartz, Prehnite, Calcite, Chalcedony ● Sakur, Maharashtra: o Apophyllite, Stilbite

Indonesia ● Sulawesi o Amethyst

Madagascar ● Sakaony District, Boeny Region, Mahajanga Province o Celestite

Pakistan ● Nagar Mine, Hunza Valley o Aquamarine

55 EUROPE

Bulgaria ● Madan Ore Field, Madan, Smolyan Province o Quartz, Galena

Greece ● Christiana Mine, Lavrion Mining District, Kamariza o Azurite, Malachite

Italy ● Agrigento Mining District, Sicily o Sulfur ● Elba Island Mining District, Livorno, Tuscany o Pyrite, Hematite

Norway ● Fauske Mining District, Nordland County o Garnet

Romania ● Herja Mine, Baia Mare o Barite

Russia ● Arsenic Mine, Elbrusskii, Northern Caucasus Region o Orpiment ● Sludyanka Mining District, Lake Baikal Area, Siberia o Apatite, Calcite

Spain ● Collada Mine, Siero, Asturias o Fluorite ● Victoria Mine, Navajun, La Rioja o Pyrite

56 LATIN AMERICA

Brazil ● Minas Gerais, Linopolis, Doce Valley o Brasilianite ● Rio Grande do Sul o Amethyst, Citrine

Colombia ● Santander Department o Quartz

Mexico ● Las Vigas de Ramirez, Veracruz o Amethyst ● Naica Mine, Mun de Saucillo, Chihuahua o Gypsum ● Navidad Mine, Abasolo, Rodeo, Durango o Creedite ● Ojuela Mine, Mapimi Mun, Durango, Mexico o Aragonite, Goethite ● Palmarejo Mine, Mun Chinpas, Chihuahua o Calcite

Peru ● Pachapaqui Mine, Ancash Province o Quartz ● Pachapaqui District, Pallasca Province, Ancash Department o Quartz ● Pachapaqui District, Bolognesi Province, Ancash Department o Calcite o Galena

Uruguay ● Santa Ana Quarry, Artigas Department o Amethyst ● Santino Mine, Artigas Department o Calcite

57 USA

Arkansas ● Collier Creek Mine, Mt. Ida, Montgomery Co., (Ouachita Mts) o Quartz ● Hamilton Mine, Garland County o Smoky Quartz ● Zigras Mine, Blue Springs o Quartz

Illinois ● Cave-in-Rock Mine, Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin County o Fluorite, Chalcopyrite ● Minerva Mine, Hardin County o Fluorite

Missouri ● Brushy Creek Mine, Reynolds County, MO o Calcite ● Cave-in-Rock Mine, Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois o Fluorite ● Sweetwater Mine, Viburnam Trend District, Ellington, Reynolds Co o Calcite Tennessee ● Gordonsville Mine, Carthage Smith Co. o Calcite

Utah ● St, George Mining District, San Juan County o Selenite

58 PostScript II: Industrial Uses of Minerals Minerals have significant uses in agriculture, industry, medicine, space travel, and in the luxury market. Sulfur (S) is used in agriculture as pesticides and fertilizer, as well as in medicine. Also used as a nutritional supplement, Magnesium (Mg) plays a role in the production of synthetic rubber in the manufacture of land and air vehicles, and the making of household appliances. Copper (Cu) is a common plumbing and roofing material as well as an ingredient in circuit boards, cell phones, and laptops. Iron has many industrial uses and, like Zinc (Zn), has health-related benefits. Garnet-containing Ytrium (Y) is used to make lasers. Gold (Au) is applied to the exterior of space satellites to promote cooling of the outer surface and is one of several elements used to make lasers. Gypsum [plaster] and Granite [rock] are widely used construction materials.

59 PostScript III: Nature’s Past Meets Modern Art

In 2017, the artist Damien Hirst created for the Venice Biennale an exhibition of his numerous artisan-crafted “minerals specimens” with overgrowths of gold crystals (some of which are reputedly gold), plus objects in allegedly of marble, jade, and malachite, among others. Hirst claimed that the rocks had been brought up from the shipwreck of the Unbelievable, a vessel well named in this instance. This one-man show took place in the Punta della Dogana and the Palazzo Grassi and Hirst even created a “documentary” film showing the raising of the wreck. The artifacts “discovered” and displayed allegedly came from a shipwreck of treasures buried beneath the sea 2,000 years ago and included many fantastical and mythological creatures made from these “precious” materials. In contrast to Hirst’s invention, there is historical precedent in the shipwreck of the S.S. Central America, which sank off the coast of the Carolinas in 1857, carrying a treasure trove of gold, and was in fact called the “Ship of Gold.” Rogue rescue operations between 1988 and 1991 revealed millions of dollars in gold coins; and in 2014 Marine Odyssey Exploration was awarded the contract to salvage the ruins of the S.S. Central America.

How interesting that Hirst, who makes ART, has turned his attention to NATURE!...

60 PostScript IV: Healing Powers and Popular Superstitions Since the ancient world, people have believed in the healing power of crystals, ascribing both ailments and remedies to the putative “magic” power of the stones. This practice continues today, in a variety of forms, notably among Chinese healers and New Age adherents. (Although equally effective in treatment, plants were less popular among ancient advocates of crystal healing because they did not retain their colors as crystals did.)

Crystals commonly considered to have mystical “healing” powers

Closely related to the healing power of crystalline stones, are the symbolic meanings assigned by astrologers to birthstones. Astrology has played an important part in ancient religions and in popular belief today, associating gemstones with each of the twelve signs of the zodiac and the birthstone associated with it. The zodiac’s system of dating does not correspond directly with the calendar months; zodiac months are dated beginning with the vernal equinox, on March 20th or 21st. These beliefs gave rise to the popular concept associating personality traits with birth dates at a certain time of year: those born under a particular sign are believed to have specific personality characteristics and to experience good (or bad) fortune because of the sign. The popularity of horoscopes and spiritual readers who offer astrological birth charts attests to the persistent allure of this pseudo-science. Birthstones do not, in fact, indicate a person’s character or fate, but they are extremely popular as birthday presents.

61 PostScript IV: Healing Powers and Popular Superstitions WHAT'S YOUR BIRTHSTONE? Since the ancient world, people have believed in the healing power of crystals, ascribing Zodiac Sign Dates Personality Traits Month Birthstone both ailments and remedies to the putative “magic” power of the stones. This practice Aries Mr 21 - Apr 20 Brave/Restless April Diamond continues today, in a variety of forms, notably among Chinese healers and New Age Taurus Apr 21 - My 21 Affectionate/Watchful May Emerald adherents. (Although equally effective in treatment, plants were less popular among ancient Gemini My 22 - Je 20 Intelligent/Creative June Pearl advocates of crystal healing because they did not retain their colors as crystals did.) Cancer Je 21 - Jl 22 Sensitive/Humorous July Ruby Leo Jl 23 - Aug 22 Ambitious/Risk-taking August Peridot Virgo Aug 23 - Sept 22 Compassionate/Practical September Sapphire Libra Sept 23 - Oct 22 Sociable/Idealistic October Opal Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Quiet/Perceptive November Topaz Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 Fun-loving/Competitive December Turquoise Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Responsible/Patient January Garnet Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Friendly/Inquisitive February Amethyst Pisces Feb 19 - Mr 20 Open-minded/Imaginative March Aquamarine

Crystals commonly considered to have mystical “healing” powers

Note that these traits may vary among numerous published listings. Closely related to the healing power of crystalline stones, are the symbolic meanings The inclusion of this chart is not intended to promote its content. assigned by astrologers to birthstones. Astrology has played an important part in ancient religions and in popular belief today, associating gemstones with each of the twelve signs of the zodiac and the birthstone associated with it. The zodiac’s system of dating does not correspond directly with the calendar months; zodiac months are dated beginning with the vernal equinox, on March 20th or 21st. These beliefs gave rise to the popular concept associating personality traits with birth dates at a certain time of year: those born under a particular sign are believed to have specific personality characteristics and to experience good (or bad) fortune because of the sign. The popularity of horoscopes and spiritual readers who offer astrological birth charts attests to the persistent allure of this pseudo-science. Birthstones do not, in fact, indicate a person’s character or fate, but they are extremely popular as birthday presents.

62 Concluding Comments Cultures have forever valued crystals for their practical uses and for their beauty and monetary worth; these have been traded as far as trade routes of each era extended. As a result, Geodes continue to be essential to communication and trade, promoting cultural interaction and advancing studies of geology, mineralogy, astronomy, agriculture, medicine, as well as fashion and design, inter alia. From prehistoric times to the present day, these treasured products of the earth have contributed to industrial and scientific progress while they continue to be prized as items of beauty and luxury. The amazing shapes and colors of Geodes and precious minerals provide contextual socioeconomic history, innovative science, and enlightened culture. These rocks mark the history of the earth, of civilization, and of culture.

We are enriched by the brilliant creation and the everlasting legacy of Geodes. The Geodes in this exhibit provide a welcome and valuable gateway to our aesthetic and scientific understanding of “Nature’s Art.” On behalf of The RAC and our extended community, we express our loving gratitude to Robert “Bob” R. Wiener!

63 Selected Resources [briefly noted] Monographs & Catalogues Altman. Gem and Stone: Jewels of the Earth, Sea, and Sky (2012)

Bonewitz. Rock and Gem: The Definitive Guide to Rocks, Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils (2008)

Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT. Treasures of the Earth: Mineral Masterpieces from the Robert R. Wiener Collection (2020)

Green Mountain Minerals. Robert R. Wiener: Mineral Collection (n.d.)

Schneider. The World of Fluorescent Minerals (2006)

Woodcock, Victoria. “The new age (not that sort) of crystals,” Financial Times, 01/08/21

Wilson, Bartsch, and Mauthner. Masterpieces of the Mineral World: Treasures from the Houston Museum of Natural Science (2004)

Professional Journals

American Mineralogist: A Journal of Earth and Planetary Materials. Ed. Don Baker, Hongwu Xu. Periodical published monthly by De Guyter

Mineralogical Record - Ed. Wendell E. Wilson. Periodical published six times a year by Mineralogical Record, Inc.

Rocks & Minerals – Periodical published bimonthly by Heldref Publications

64 Professional Journal Articles

Wilson, Wendell E., “Artisan-Crafted Mineral Specimens as Works of Art,” The Mineralogical Record, v. 49, July-August, 2018: 597-606.

Selected Resources for Children [briefly noted] Honovich. Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids, 2016)

Miletsky (“Mr. Jay”). Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll (2018) [+ others in Miletsky’s You Rock series. Ages 4-7]

Simmons, Ahsian, and Ravel. The Book of Stones: Who They Are and What They Teach (2015)

Tomecek. Everything Rocks and Minerals: Dazzling Gems of the World That Will Rock Your World (National Geographic Kids, 2011) Ages 8-10

Zeitner and Cross. Geodes: Nature's Treasures (2006)

Zoehfeld. Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Readers, 2018) Ages 8-12

Selected Websites for Adults and Children

Amnh.org/explore/ology (Am Mus Nat Hist)

Geology.com

Mineralexplorers.com

Nationalgeographic.com

Kids.Nationalgeographic.com

Smithsonian.com

YouTube.com

65 Selected Public Collections of Minerals and Gems in the United States

Note: Additional collections can be found by searching online for “Collections of Gems and Minerals” and can be filtered by location or specific interest. Many museums devote all or part of their collection to minerals. While this list names US museums, institutions worldwide have similar collections.

● American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY ○ Alison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals ● Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT ○ Mineral Masterpieces from the Robert R. Wiener Collection ● California State Mining and Mineral Museum, Mariposa, CA ● Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA ○ Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems ● Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, OH ○ Mineralogy Collection ● Franklin Mineral Museum, Franklin, New Jersey ○ Fluorescent Rocks ● Harvard Mineralogical and Geological Museum, Cambridge, MA ● Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX ○ Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals ● Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Oak Brook, IL ● Maine Minerals and Gems Museum, Bethel, ME ● Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA ○ Mineral Science Collection ● Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, TX ○ Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall ● Mines Museum of Earth Science [Colorado School of Mines], Golden, CO ● Smithsonian National Museum, Washington, D.C. ○ Mineral Sciences Collection ● Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville, GA ○ Weinman Mineral Gallery ● UA Norville Gem and Mineral Museum at University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ ● Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT ○ Mineralogy and Meteoritics Collection

66 Malachite, Star of the Congo Mine, Kolwezi, Congo