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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 15:42 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Specimens from my claim, the Rat's Nest Mine, of Custer County, Idaho, are well represented in the museums collection and some of the claims finest specimens can be found displayed here. |
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Me, John Cornish, posing before the display highlighting my Rat's Nest Mine. |
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Easily the finest mordenite I've ever dug and the finest ever produced from my Rat's Nest Mine. A large cabinet-sized specimen perfect and pristine and all a' bristle with its delicate hair-like crystals. A gift from me to my friend Rudy Tschernich. |
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Examples showing the wide ranging colors found in heulandite crystals from my Rat's Nest Mine. |
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A spectacular approximately 30 cm hollow geode-like specimen of mordenite with minor accessory heulandite. The best of two such specimens known from my Rat's Nest Mine. |
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A true monster-sized pseudomorph specimen! This from my Summer Storm claim near Challis in central Idaho. Here, quartz has faithfully replaced apophyllite crystals up to 6 cm long by 3 cm wide with associated yellow calcite fans overgrown by more drusy quartz. The entire hollow jelly-bean candy-shaped specimen weighs 67 kg and is the largest pseudomorphic specimen of its kind known. Self collected and, at the time this photo was taken, on long term loan. |
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The finest known calcite from Washington State. A 4.5 kg floater I collected from a 3 meter long tube-like pocket. I documented the find in the Rocks & Minerals article, Minerals from the Weyerhaeuser Lincoln Creek Quarry, Lewis County, Washington, V. 73, No. 4, July - August 1998. Self collected and, at the time this photo was taken, on long term loan. |
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Natrolite and apophyllite in a 30 cm plus plate from the Weyerhaeuser Lincoln Creek Quarry, Lewis County, Washington. Exceptional in every way, this find, one made by Rudy Tschernich two years after I made my 1996 discovery, truly sets a quality standard for the northwest and these species. |
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A 30 cm plus plate of calcite overgrowing natrolite and apophyllite from Rudy Tschernich's 1998 Weyerhaeuser Lincoln Creek Quarry find. The experience of collecting this exceptional pocket was captured in the Tschernich article titled Extraordinary Natrolite-Lined Pockets at the Weyerhaeuser Lincoln Creek Quarry published within the Microprobe newsletter of the Northwest Micro Mineral Study Group, V. 8, No. 7, pages 10 - 16. |
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Another stellar natrolite and apophyllite crystal specimen from the Weyerhaeuser Lincoln Creek Quarry, Lewis County, Washington. On specimens from Rudy's 1998 find, natrolite crystals reach lengths up to 8 cm and are all a' bristle with colorless apophyllite crystals hanging suspended like multi-faceted little gems. |
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The best calcite specimen recovered during Rudy's 1998 Weyerhaeuser Lincoln Creek Quarry dig, approximately 24 cm in diameter and truly exceptional in every way. Easily one of the best large cabinet-sized calcite and associated species specimens known from the state of Washington. |
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Warren S. collecting large natrolite and apophyllite crystal plates from a 4 meter long pocket using custom made tools specifically designed and constructed for this dig at the Weyerhaeuser Lincoln Creek Quarry, Lewis County, Washington. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 15:58 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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A photograph I took displayed within one of the exhibition cases in the Northwest Mineral Gallery building featuring the finest pocket of natrolite crystals I've ever found and dug from a local Mason County, Washington quarry. The pocket was closer to a full meter in width and produced two monstrous natrolite matrix plates nearly 40 cm across which are still in my collection. |
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A 10 cm calcite and natrolite from the same Mason County, Washington quarry as mentioned in the photo before. This is the finest combination specimen I've ever seen from the locality. Self collected and, at the time this photo was taken, on long term loan. |
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From Robertson Pit, Mason County, Washington, this specimen features analcimes that are among the largest known from the locality at just over 2.5 cm associated with stout terminated natrolite crystals. Self collected and, at the time this photo was taken, on long term loan. |
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One of the finest specimens I've ever collected from Robertson Pit, Mason County, Washington (or anywhere else for that matter) and 100% unique. Natrolite included by black clay over a field of white analcime crystals. Self collected, 14 cm and, at the time this photo was taken, on long term loan. |
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Displayed within one of the cases of the Northwest Mineral Gallery, this photo shows me, John Cornish, collecting at the famous thomsonite locality of Jaquish Road, Goble, Oregon. |
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Displayed within one of the cases of the Northwest Mineral Gallery, this photo shows me, John Cornish, collecting at the Gopher Valley Quarry, near Sheridan, Oregon. This time showing my good side! |
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One of the finest combination plates of calcite, natrolite and analcime known from the state of Oregon. Recovered from a 2 meter long crystal-lined pocket. I described this discovery in the Microprobe newsletter of the Northwest Micro Mineral Study group, V. 8, No. 6, pages 8 - 13. At the time this photo was taken, it was on long term loan. |
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My best specimen from the Gopher Valley Quarry, near Sheridan, Oregon and the finest calcite known from Oregon. It sat against the pockets back wall and when seen for the first time, it glowed a deep golden color as it lit-up in the light reflected from my hard hat. It is 45 x 30 x 30 cm and weighs just over 18 kg and features unbelievably a 3 cm wide two-phase gas bubble that travels 8 cm through the center of the biggest crystal! Self collected and, at the time this photo was taken, on long term loan. |
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Detail of one of Oregon's finest crystal specimens. A spectacular 30 cm (as shown) natrolite, apophyllite and stilbite specimen from the Two Hug Quarry. Glittery and bright and spectacular! |
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The entire 40 cm specimen of natrolite, apophyllite and stilbite from the Two Hug Quarry in Oregon, part of the Rudy Tschernich collection displayed in the Northwest Mineral Gallery of the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 16:07 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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And if possible, this specimen is even more spectacular. From the fantasy-like dream-come-true locality known as the Two Hug Quarry. Natrolite and analcime, nearly 30 cm wide. |
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A close-up of the breath-taking natrolite and analcime Two Hug Quarry specimen seen in the previous photo. |
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A great 10 cm specimen of orange-colored chabazite with associated mesolite from the abandoned F-Line Quarry of Lewis County, Washington. Part of the Rudy Tschernich collection. |
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134095 Time(s) |

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The finest known thomsonite from the entire northwest. Found during a Friends of Mineralogy field trip I was leading to one of my local Olympic Peninsula quarry's. My friend Keith Ikerd hit the pocket of all pockets when he found the rock that produced this wondrous 7 cm hemisphere. Truly, this is an exceptional specimen! On loan from Keith Ikerd. |
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134107 Time(s) |

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Rudy Tschernich's Crystal Cave. An awesome crowd-pleasing bejeweled cave where Rudy created the illusion of a large scolecite and stilbite crystal lined cavity well over a meter wide, tall and long. |
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A neat 12 cm pin-cushiony sphere of Indian mesolite. |
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A 30 cm long thomsonite from India. |
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134113 Time(s) |

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A photograph of me, John Cornish, drilling at Montana's PC Mine as displayed within the cases of the Northwest Mineral Gallery, this time working for Japan- law twinned quartz. |
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134142 Time(s) |

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At 30 cm, this insanely spectacular Green Monster Mine, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska specimen is among the finest known. This epidote, calcite and quartz specimen is just too good, like I said, spectacular! Collected by Doug Toland and Tom Hanna. |
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A poor photograph of a wonderful 14 cm tall Alaskan example of the classic calcite after ikaite type of pseudomorphic replacement more commonly seen from other localities, such as Russia's Taimyr Peninsula. Donated by Dave and Jan Hill. |
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134121 Time(s) |

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A sensational large cabinet specimen from the Black Pine Mine of Montana featuring a ton of species; quartz (including a couple of tiny Japan-law twinned crystals), heubnerite, stolzite, azurite, and tetrahedrite in a visually striking arrangement. At the time this photo was taken, I had it on long term loan. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 16:15 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Aaron Weiting found and has loaned this incredible, unique specimen of crystallized octahedral black fluorite on petrified wood to the museum! A surface find from an undisclosed locality in Oregon. |
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A photograph of a large 1 meter plus quartz crystal-lined pocket found during one of my collecting trips to Montana's P C Mine as displayed within one of the cases of the Northwest Mineral Gallery. |
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A wonderful cabinet-sized geode section from one of Washington State's premier crystal collecting localities; Walker Valley. This specimen is a terrific representative example of the treasures hoped for when collecting this locality, slightly amethystine colored quartz with white rosettes of calcite and inter-growing with the quartz, brilliant little bundles of goldeny-brown goethite needles. Wonderful! Donated by Dan Vandenburg. |
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Specimens of meta-autunite from Washington State's Daybreak Mine are historic rarely seen treasures and this is a monstrous, exceptional 40 cm specimen. |
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134154 Time(s) |

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Of all the quartz known from the northwest, among the massives, it's not the jaspers or the carnelians that garner center stage, rather it's Washington State's, Kittitas County, Ellensburg Blue. Hard to describe and more difficult yet to find, these free-formed and polished sterling silver set examples offer a wonderful example of just how good this material can be. On loan from Betty Warrington. |
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A pretty 30 cm wide amethyst-lined quartz geode from Oregon. Donated by Dennis Murphy. |
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A monstrous 30 cm plus Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho, miarolitic cavity plate from one of the state's more spectacular and remote collecting areas. Donated by Sharleen Harvey. |
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Another Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho specimen! On loan from Randy Becker. |
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A fantasy quartz specimen from Washington State's Denny Mountain. The ears of the Japan-law twin alone are approximately 30 cm long! A fantasy made real! King County is among the finest areas for crystallized quartz in the entire world. On loan from Lew Landers. Following is a sensational sampling from Denny Mountain, King County, Washington... |
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One of the finest quartz scepter plates I've ever seen. Over 30 cm across! Insane and 100% Denny Mountain, Washington! On loan from Lew Landers. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 16:24 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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It's really that good too! |
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Or maybe this sweet 15 cm perfect treasure! On loan from Randy Becker. |
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Or how about this 30 cm enhydroed amethyst sceptered, specular hematite associated floater specimen! On loan from John Lindell. |
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Here's another killer cabinet-sized specimen, amethyst sceptered quartz from Denny Mountain, King County, Washington. On loan from Randy Becker. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 16:31 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Or from the same locality, how about a sharp-sharp-sharp goethite after pyrite matrix replacement specimen over 30 cm long and absolutely perfect! Wonderful! |
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A 30 cm quartz and pyrite combination plate from Washington State's premier locality for these two species, the Spruce claim in King County. On loan from Lew Landers. |
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A spectacular historic Oregon, L & L Baryte Mine, display of monstrous, up to 50 cm, plates densely covered with large golden-brown colored tabular Baryte crystals. Amazing to see specimens so visually spectacular. |
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As much as anything, it's the story that makes these specimens so good, after all... |
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Just look at the happy smile plastered across the mug of the fellow who originally mined these specimens! |
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A great close-up of the biggest specimen, the hanging fin from the original black and white photograph from the display. The L & L Baryte Mine, Oregon. |
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Another smiling collector photograph! Me, John Cornish, collecting golden calcites from Montana as seen in one of the display cases in the Northwest Mineral Gallery of the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. |
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Examples of those same golden calcites can be seen here in the lower display area. The large plate weighs 110 pounds and is the largest fine specimen I found while collecting this locality. Excepting the two left hand golden calcites and the large upper shelf brown and white calcite specimen on the right, everything else in this display was self collected and, at the time this photo was taken, on long term loan. |
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Unique calcite after twinned elongated sprays of aragonite with calcite and quartz were collected from Snohomish County, Washington from vertical vuggy veins of calcite which were occasionally exposed during quarrying operations at the Snohomish County, Monroe, Cadman quarry. The large specimen in the foreground is 40 cm. This and other specimens from this discovery/pocket are some of the finest, rarest and most spectacular of the large cabinet-sized specimens I've collected from Washington. |
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The Evolution of Thundereggs. |
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Spectacular examples of thundereggs from France and Poland. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 16:39 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Wow, pretty. Excellent color! From Oregon. On loan from George Williams. |
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Large up to 30 cm specimens of fragile, beautiful "angle wing" quartz from Oregon. |
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Beautiful examples of Bruneau Canyon, Idaho, jasper. |
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Famous Carey Ranch plume agate, Oregon. |
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A large freeform mass of Deschutes River Canyon jasper. |
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A colorfully patterned Skull Springs Bed thunderegg from Oregon. |
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An amazing group of wulfenite specimens awaiting photography in the Curators office. |
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Breathtaking. Stunning. Luscious. Wonderful large pure blue colored masses of Inspiration Mine gem silica, the two largest pieces are 30 cm! These are unlike anything else I've ever seen. Spectacular! |
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Occurring in geodes in one small area on private land, for a short window of time, these incredible blue Baryte specimens were available. Associated with deep golden-colored calcites, when everything worked, spectacular world-class Baryte specimens resulted. Oregon, who knew? |
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The Gift Shop at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 16:49 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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A wonderful place to learn. |
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Flat after flat of treasures. |
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Shelves weighed down with happiness! |
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It just keeps getting better and better. The Gift Shop at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. |
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Ariolimax columbianus, more commonly referred to as the Banana Slug.
Welcome to my Pacific Northwest!
These critters, documented in sizes up to 25 cm in length, are part of the thrill guests can look forward to experiencing when visiting our area. But, if you'd like more, if you'd enjoy the opportunity to fill your day with visions of the fantastical made real, whole-heartedly, the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals is 100% a destination the whole family can enjoy. From novice to advanced enthusiast, your day will be one of thrilling discovery. The slugs are out there, but if you'd like a bigger thrill, come inside, the minerals are awaiting your gasps of amazement and pleasure!
Take care everyone and sincerely, come visit the Rice! All the very best, John Cornish |
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Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum

Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 5050
Location: Barcelona



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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 16:52 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Splendid John. Thank you so much!
_________________ Audaces fortuna iuvat |
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Jim Adams

Joined: 01 Mar 2012
Posts: 1
Location: Michigan


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Posted: Mar 01, 2012 21:30 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Inspirational as always! Thanks John.
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yowanni
Joined: 27 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
Location: Spain (Cantabria / Madrid)



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Posted: Mar 02, 2012 04:00 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Great Minerals!!!!
Thank you for sharing :-)
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Gail

Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.



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Posted: Mar 02, 2012 07:59 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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John, I so appreciate your taking the time to share with us. Thanks for your delightful report!
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Tobi
Site Admin

Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4248
Location: Germany



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Posted: Mar 02, 2012 09:40 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Mineralogical surrealism - i can't believe my eyes when i see that stuff ...
Just look at the gift shop: Usually the shops of mineral museums offer things like amethyst, pyrite, quartz or some pale celestites from Madagascar. THEY offer Sweet Home Mine rhodos!!! :-)
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Darren
Joined: 09 Aug 2009
Posts: 91
Location: New Mexico



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Posted: Mar 02, 2012 14:21 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Absolutely wonderful report, John, thank you so much for doing it!
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 128
Location: Port Angeles



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Posted: Mar 03, 2012 08:57 Post subject: Re: A visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon |
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Hi Everyone,
Thank you all for being so kind!
I had a friend write and enquire if I'd heard of another wonderful Oregon mineral museum, the Crater Rock Museum run by the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society. In fact, I have! Please see...
https://mcrocks.com/ftr06-2/CornishAugust2006.html
(link normalized by FMF)
Have a wonderful weekend. All the absolute very best!
John
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