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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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)
| Description: |
| 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: 117
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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| Description: |
| 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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38934 Time(s) |
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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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38908 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38951 Time(s) |
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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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| Description: |
| A wonderfully detailed display of meteorites. |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38919 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Chondrites are samples of the solar nebula. That seems easy enough! |
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38929 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Dhofar 309 is an anorthositic impact melt breccia! |
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38970 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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| Description: |
| 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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38938 Time(s) |
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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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38897 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38897 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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38982 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Fun surprises await in the Man-Made crystal display... |
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38933 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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: 117
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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38997 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A clutch of Montana dinosaur eggs. |
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38922 Time(s) |
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| Exquisitely preserved Russian cave bear bones. |
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38921 Time(s) |
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| Washington State pseudo-coprolites. |
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38897 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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| Description: |
| An exceptional example of a Washington State fossilized crab. |
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38879 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The south and west walls of the spacious main Mineral Gallery. |
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38873 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The main Mineral Gallery south wall. |
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38862 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The main Mineral Gallery west wall. |
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38865 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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38862 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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38842 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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38818 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38839 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The fireplace with its inlaid treasures and complimentary log of petrified wood. |
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38856 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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38852 Time(s) |
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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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38833 Time(s) |
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| Detail. Some of the specimens from this display were lost and never recovered. |
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38861 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Gargantuan, bright and shiny octahedral pyrite specimen from Peru approximately one meter long! |
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38842 Time(s) |
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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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38840 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38817 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Big Bisbee, Arizona azurite and malachite over 40 cm. |
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38795 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Chrysocolla specimen from the Inspiration Mine well over 30 cm wide and tall. |
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38799 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 30 cm Glove Mine wulfenite from Arizona. |
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38806 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Killer large Bisbee, Arizona malachite slab. |
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38783 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Large exquisite benitoite plate. Dallas Gem Mine. Claifornia. |
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38787 Time(s) |
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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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38784 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The finest large matrix copper included calcite I've ever seen from Michigan's Quincy Mine. Over 30 cm! |
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38802 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Ah the gorgeous red color explosion that is Argentinean rhodochrosite! Another behemoth over 40 cm. |
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38776 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Perfect dissimilar examples of stalactites of rhodochrosite from Argentina over 30 cm in length. |
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38781 Time(s) |
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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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38794 Time(s) |
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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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38806 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Gorgeous unique pinky-orange colored Japanese rhodochrosite over 30 cm. |
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38811 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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38813 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38797 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Sphaerocobaltite. This REALLY is the color... Intense! I love it! |
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38800 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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38796 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another shot of this expansive and impressive Gallery. |
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38791 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Large exceptional examples of a multitude of species amaze and await visitors. |
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38787 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| If slabs are good, logs are better! |
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38815 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38780 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Monster-sized slices of exotic and exceptional petrified woods. |
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38819 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Beautiful Brazilian fossilized tree fern. |
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38807 Time(s) |
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| A display of Jurassic Argentinean fossilized cones. |
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38759 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Florida fossilized limbs. |
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38761 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another gorgeous Brazilian tree fern. |
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38752 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A close-up showing the detail found in one of the collections other specimens. |
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38774 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A spectacular grouping of large petrified wood slabs as displayed in the Petrified Wood Gallery. |
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38776 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38774 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another as impressively sized from Arizona. |
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38775 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The trio of gigantic Arizona slabs complete. |
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38757 Time(s) |
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| The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals Geologic Walk! |
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38762 Time(s) |
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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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38779 Time(s) |
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38735 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38742 Time(s) |
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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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38751 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Portions of the Northwest Mineral Gallery south and west walls. |
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38743 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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38714 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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38754 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The thunderegg in the foreground must weigh over 90 kg! |
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38697 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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38707 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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38760 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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38726 Time(s) |
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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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38722 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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38704 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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38809 Time(s) |
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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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38751 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The fun and the glory, digging for treasure! |
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38698 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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38698 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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| Description: |
| 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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38685 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Me, John Cornish, posing before the display highlighting my Rat's Nest Mine. |
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38682 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38676 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Examples showing the wide ranging colors found in heulandite crystals from my Rat's Nest Mine. |
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38681 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38705 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38700 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38681 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38677 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38686 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38659 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38691 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38711 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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| Description: |
| 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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38681 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38706 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38688 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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38668 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38704 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38700 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38670 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38668 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38700 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38683 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38672 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A close-up of the breath-taking natrolite and analcime Two Hug Quarry specimen seen in the previous photo. |
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| Viewed: |
38682 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38681 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38684 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38722 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A neat 12 cm pin-cushiony sphere of Indian mesolite. |
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| Viewed: |
38661 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A 30 cm long thomsonite from India. |
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| Viewed: |
38682 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38695 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38655 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38685 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38674 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38703 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38660 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38662 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38666 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38662 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A pretty 30 cm wide amethyst-lined quartz geode from Oregon. Donated by Dennis Murphy. |
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| Viewed: |
38654 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38659 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Another Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho specimen! On loan from Randy Becker. |
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| Viewed: |
38653 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38643 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
38741 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38669 Time(s) |
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John Cornish
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 117
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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| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
38689 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
38683 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
38673 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| It's really that good too! |
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| Viewed: |
38663 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Or maybe this sweet 15 cm perfect treasure! On loan from Randy Becker. |
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| Viewed: |
38693 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
38688 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
38657 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Or how about this 30 cm enhydroed amethyst sceptered, specular hematite associated floater specimen! On loan from John Lindell. |
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| Viewed: |
38668 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| 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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| Viewed: |
38635 Time(s) |
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