FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[VRigatti]

I have been travelling to North Dakota over the last 3 years on business and I finally had time to stop at the "Paul Broste Rock Museum" in tiny Parshall, ND. Mr Broste was a local farmer, collector and artist. The central point of his collection are the stone spheres he cut, polished and mounted on his own. I am not a big sphere guy but the quality of the work is amazing, especially considering he did most of this work in the 40s through the 60s. The central piece is a large transparent rutilated quartz sphere. Mr Broste passed away in the 70s and left his stone house and museum to the town of Parshall. Definitely worth a stop if you are ever in western North Dakota. Pics are with my cell phone so not so good. Enjoy

[Les Presmyk]

Thank you for making us aware of this museum. The purists will complain these are not mineral specimens but this is an impressive display. It is obvious he spent a tremendous amount of time making the spheres, constructing the museum and designing and constructing the displays.

[chris]

Very impressed indeed. Do you know which tools did he use to polish the rutilated quartz sphere ?

Thanks

Christophe

[GBS]

Personally I like spheres and I really like the stone building. Quite an undertaking for one person.

[VRigatti]

There was an old machine he in the corner he used for making and polishing the spheres. Unfortunately the photo did not come out.