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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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 Posted: Mar 01, 2012 13:57 Post subject: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals
Greetings!
My name is John Cornish and it is my pleasure to share a visual and text oriented virtual tour of The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Located in Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S.A., this museum is the Pacific Northwest's finest Earth Sciences institution and features a stunning world-class collection of magnificent treasures. While a photo heavy report, I'll try to accompany photographs with concise and accurate descriptions, but please know, these photographs were never taken with the idea of compiling a report. Thus, their quality may be less than exemplary. Additionally, as the collection is managed, many of the specimens herein photographed may no longer be on current display and an accurate representation of displays available to present day visitors.
It is my hope that this report will offer an introduction to the scope and grandeur of the museums collection while inspiring and enlightening enthusiasts to visit!
For your additional consideration, I have included below a list of links relevant to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals...
Sincerely, I hope you enjoy! All the very best,
John Cornish
PS For scale, museum labels are 8.4 cm wide!
The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals website... https://www.ricenorthwestmuseum.org/
The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals @ Wikipedia... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_Northwest_Museum_of_Rocks_and_Minerals
Rock & Gem magazine Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals issue link... https://www.rockngem.com/TOCImage/004_mr_RG0507.pdf
Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals Gold theft... https://www.oregonlive.com/north-of-26/index.ssf/2010/04/police_accuse_museum_founders_kin_of_stealing_gold_nuggets_from_rice_nw_museum_of_rocks_minerals_nea.html
and...
https://www.oregonlive.com/north-of-26/index.ssf/2010/07/man_who_stole_gold_nuggets_from_rice_museum_gets_32_months_in_prison.html
Moss Man...
https://www.oregonlive.com/north-of-26/index.ssf/2010/10/washington_county_sheriffs_deputies_arrest_man_clad_in_camouflage_suit_on_burglary_charges.html
(links normalized by FMF)
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| Within a large blue and white shield-like blaze of custom flooring gloriously complimented by emblematic miners picks and shovels, the Rice family name welcomes visitors into the museums main Mineral Gallery. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:08 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals main building. Originally the residence of museum founders Richard and Helen Rice, this beautiful facility is surrounded by a picturesque wonderland of towering trees and lush ever-green grounds. |
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| Adjacent to the main building, the Northwest Mineral Gallery features specimens endemic to the northwest and the prestigious Rudy Tschernich collection. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:12 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| As visitors enter into the main building, they are greeted by this informative display sharing glimpses into the vibrant history of museum founders Richard and Helen Rice. |
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| Description: |
| Awards and trophies grandly reflect Richard and Helen's outgoing nature and their willingness to share their treasures. |
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| A wonderfully detailed display of meteorites. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:18 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Alright, where do meteorites come from? |
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| Description: |
| Chondrites are samples of the solar nebula. That seems easy enough! |
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| Dhofar 309 is an anorthositic impact melt breccia! |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:25 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| A photograph of the famous Willamette meteorite found in Oregon and now on display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The 6th largest meteorite known and one lacking an impact crater, leading scientists to conclude that the fall actually occurred elsewhere and that the meteorite had been transported to its discovery location as a glacial erratic during the Missoula Floods at the end of the last Ice Age. |
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| Another view of the Willamette meteorite. |
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| A beautifully carved vase featured within the Lapidary Arts Gallery. |
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| Description: |
| Another beautiful vase in the Lapidary Arts Gallery. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:29 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| One of the Lapidary Arts Gallery display cases featuring a varied selection of art forms and lapidary mediums. |
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56716 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Gorgeous, intricate and variegated soft purple-colored jade figurine. |
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| Description: |
| Under normal lighting conditions, a part of the museums Fluorescent Gallery. |
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| Description: |
| Fun surprises await in the Man-Made crystal display... |
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56803 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:34 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| Exceptional examples of laboratory grown specimens, some of truly exceptional size and quality! |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:40 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| Tucker the baby Psittacosaurus. The museums featured exhibit in its Fossil Gallery. |
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56886 Time(s) |
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| A clutch of Montana dinosaur eggs. |
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56785 Time(s) |
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| Exquisitely preserved Russian cave bear bones. |
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| Washington State pseudo-coprolites. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:47 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| An exceptional example of a Washington State fossilized crab. |
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56726 Time(s) |
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| The south and west walls of the spacious main Mineral Gallery. |
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| The main Mineral Gallery south wall. |
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56720 Time(s) |
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| The main Mineral Gallery west wall. |
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56708 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Several shelves where wulfenite takes the main stage. As is typical for the collection, some of these specimens, and those following, are truly monstrous in size and an absolute glory to behold! |
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56687 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Big beautiful blue and green examples of Arizona copper minerals, the biggest specimens all over 30 cm across. |
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| Description: |
| Sensationally displayed are many spectacular specimens recovered from the famous mines of Bisbee, Arizona! A personal favorite of mine is the center bottom malachite stalactite/stalagmite. It was recently displayed at the 2012 Tucson Show featuring the theme Arizona Minerals. It is a mind-boggling treasure approximately 45 cm tall! |
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56654 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another all-time favorite specimen of mine is the monstrous Brazilian beryl variety morganite found on the bottom shelf right. While difficult to make out, the crystal is approximately 30 cm long by 10 cm in diameter and features a 35 cm bright, colorless quartz crystal group sprouting fantastically from its left side. |
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56616 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 14:53 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| The luscious color and size of this specimen really makes it sing, and that from clear across the room! |
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56722 Time(s) |
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| The fireplace with its inlaid treasures and complimentary log of petrified wood. |
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56683 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The Alma Rose is one of the worlds premier rhodochrosite specimens. From the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado, this fantastic specimen stands approximately 45 cm tall. Associated minerals on the specimen include yellow calcite, purple fluorite, quartz, tetrahedrite and apatite. |
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| Description: |
| The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals gold collection prior to its theft (see links regarding the theft of these golds within the introduction of this thread) with museum employee Linda. |
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| Detail. Some of the specimens from this display were lost and never recovered. |
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| Description: |
| Gargantuan, bright and shiny octahedral pyrite specimen from Peru approximately one meter long! |
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| Description: |
| Another exquisite monster, this time a Brazilian gypsum. A sharp delicately perched gigantic crystal approximately 40 cm long. |
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56680 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 15:06 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| Pinch me, I must be dreaming! A dream come true! A pure homogenous mass of gem chrysocolla that must weigh 5 kg plus! Gorgeous! |
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55490 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Big Bisbee, Arizona azurite and malachite over 40 cm. |
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55501 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Chrysocolla specimen from the Inspiration Mine well over 30 cm wide and tall. |
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| 30 cm Glove Mine wulfenite from Arizona. |
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55495 Time(s) |
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| Killer large Bisbee, Arizona malachite slab. |
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| Large exquisite benitoite plate. Dallas Gem Mine. Claifornia. |
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| Description: |
| Tree Root Pocket microcline variety amazonite and smoky quartz from Colorado! Approximately 30 cm of the finest, richest blue-green amazonite you can imagine. |
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55441 Time(s) |
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| The finest large matrix copper included calcite I've ever seen from Michigan's Quincy Mine. Over 30 cm! |
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| Description: |
| Ah the gorgeous red color explosion that is Argentinean rhodochrosite! Another behemoth over 40 cm. |
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| Description: |
| Perfect dissimilar examples of stalactites of rhodochrosite from Argentina over 30 cm in length. |
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| Description: |
| A less than inspiring photograph of the Mineralogical Record cover beryl variety emerald from V. 25, No. 3, May - June 1994. |
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| Description: |
| Another monster is an old-time, inspiring Les Farges Mine pyromorphite over 30 cm from France. |
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55474 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Gorgeous unique pinky-orange colored Japanese rhodochrosite over 30 cm. |
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55561 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another challenging shot of a former Mineralogical Record cover specimen. This time an incredible sperrylite on chalcopyrite from V. 29, No. 2, March - April 1998 |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 15:11 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| What a crazy patterned Mexican agate! Over 30 cm across. |
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55499 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Sphaerocobaltite. This REALLY is the color... Intense! I love it! |
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55481 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Looking into the enormous Petrified Wood Gallery. Representing one of the worlds most diverse and extensive petrified wood exhibitions. This display is largely due to, and on loan from the Murphy family, 'Northwest Petrified Wood Legends' of Tigard, Oregon. |
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55504 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another shot of this expansive and impressive Gallery. |
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| Description: |
| Large exceptional examples of a multitude of species amaze and await visitors. |
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| If slabs are good, logs are better! |
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55578 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 15:18 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| The colors, the patterns, the quantities and the size of the specimens all combine to inspire. |
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55461 Time(s) |
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| Monster-sized slices of exotic and exceptional petrified woods. |
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| Beautiful Brazilian fossilized tree fern. |
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| A display of Jurassic Argentinean fossilized cones. |
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55427 Time(s) |
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| Florida fossilized limbs. |
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55422 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another gorgeous Brazilian tree fern. |
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| A close-up showing the detail found in one of the collections other specimens. |
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| Description: |
| A spectacular grouping of large petrified wood slabs as displayed in the Petrified Wood Gallery. |
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55457 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 15:25 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| A gorgeous 60 cm plus cut and polished slab of Arizona petrified wood. |
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55483 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another as impressively sized from Arizona. |
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| Description: |
| The trio of gigantic Arizona slabs complete. |
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| The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals Geologic Walk! |
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| Description: |
| The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Northwest Mineral Gallery! For many of us here in the northwest, this building contains many of our favorite, local iconic specimens. Always a must see. For me personally, it's always my first stop when I visit! |
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55423 Time(s) |
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| Retired Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals Curator Rudy Tschernich beside the scolecite vug he constructed from specimens mined in India. |
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| Description: |
| A comfortable relaxing area ideal for visiting within the Northwest Mineral Gallery facing a portion of the north and west wall displays. |
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55424 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Portions of the Northwest Mineral Gallery south and west walls. |
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55428 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles
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| Posted: Mar 01, 2012 15:34 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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| Description: |
| Portions of the Northwest Mineral Gallery south and east walls. |
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55414 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A portion of the Northwest Mineral Gallery south and east walls focusing on the museums world-class thunderegg exhibit. |
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| Description: |
| The thunderegg in the foreground must weigh over 90 kg! |
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55392 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| From Opal Butte, near Heppner, Oregon. This gigantic thunderegg has the potential to be filled not just with agate, but with precious fire opal! |
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55406 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| An even larger opalized thunderegg from Opal Butte partially polished with one of the museums interns for scale. |
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55422 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A location map in the Northwest Mineral Gallery showing many of the regions finest specimen producing localities. |
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| Description: |
| One of the displays featuring two of Oregon's premier lapidary localities... On the left, the Morrison Ranch area with its world famous jasper variety morrisonite. On the right is Graveyard Point, renowned for its fantastic plume agate... |
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55374 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Offers two photos of the surrounding Morrison Ranch collecting area where the jaspers are recovered. Below, a generous selection of specimens illustrating the coloration and patterning that makes these jaspers famous the world over. |
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55400 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Things don't change much, dig hard and dig deep! Recovering Graveyard Point vein agate rich in colorful and fantastic plumes. |
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| Description: |
| White, yellow and golden-brown colors enrich this 30 cm cut and polished slab of Oregon plume. |
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| Description: |
| The fun and the glory, digging for treasure! |
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55393 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Soft-tinted pastel-colored pink compliments the other tones and colors seen in this exceptional large 30 cm cut and polished slab of Graveyard Point plume agate. Impressive! |
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55349 Time(s) |
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