In 1766 an expedition in the Ural Mountains of Russia unintentionally exposed stunning flame-red crystals. In 1832 the crystals were given the name crocoise from the Greek word for saffron, referencing...

Rhodochrosite is a mineral known for its cherry red to hot pink crystals, which are generally a few centimeters in size but can be larger. Many of the world’s most valued rhodochrosite specimens were...

This month’s birthstone, aquamarine, takes its name from its color, which ranges from pale blue to sky blue to greenish-blue. The name actually means “water of the sea” in Latin. Crystals of aquamarine...

From a county fair prize, to a young boy’s pet, an iguana has taken sanctuary in Calvin’s greenhouse. The newest addition to DeVries Hall is a two-year-old green iguana who goes by the name Buddy....

Malachite is a beautiful mineral known for its intense green color. Thousands of years ago, it was also ground into a powder and used as a coloring pigment. Malachite is one of the oldest known copper...

Gold is one of the world’s most popular minerals. Gold is both a native element and a precious metal and is one of the most useful minerals mined from the earth. Throughout history, gold has been...

Hopefully your Thanksgiving was a pleasant one, filled with lots of turkey, stuffing and all the works. At the Dice Mineralogical Museum, we sure had a large apatite.   Though the mineral itself may...