Turquoise

One of the most recognizable gemstones to anyone in the world is the blue stone, turquoise. There is not another like it. It has become the symbolic color and gemstone of the West. Its history starts in ancient Egypt where it was mined on the Sinai Peninsula. Later Prussian turquoise was mined as a solid sky blue. Tibet turquoise is wondrous blue-green and is considered a national treasure. More recently, Native Americans of the Southwest have mined its many shades of blues and greens.

From the 1950s to the 1970s turquoise was highly prized and sought after by consumers. At one point a poor prospector could find a new deposit and be wealthy beyond dreams within months. By the mid-1970s turquoise was loosing favor with consumers and the demand dwindled to the small trickle we see today. There is still some demand for high quality gem material with jewelers and mineral collectors but not enough to cause the huge price spike from the 1970s.

Utah has one good location for gem turquoise--the Bingham Copper Mine in Salt Lake County. The Bingham Copper Mine holds the unique designation as the largest man-made hole and the largest copper mine in the world. The mine is also famous for many spectacular mineral specimens. Most specimens mined at Bingham Copper Mine are discarded or crushed without any care for their intrinsic value.

One of the minerals that are general destroyed is a beautiful turquoise. It exhibits a dark robin-egg blue to a light powdery blue and often has inclusions of galena and pyrite crystals. When a face is polished, these crystals add to the distinctness of the specimens from this location. Unfortunately, the mine operators will not allow any of this material on the market. The mine will not even discuss it or their reasoning behind the policy. Excuses for this behavior range from rumors of contracts with other turquoise mines (non-compete), to a former president of the company that didn’t like the color. Regardless of the reasoning it is a shame that this world class turquoise is rarely seen by anyone. The turquoise from here that is available only comes from miners who, at some time in the past, smuggled it out in their lunch boxes.

Class Schedule, March 2009

Current Class Schedule
Fossil Prep Emphasizing Trilobites, Wednesday, March 25th@5pm

Classes especially to help teachers with State Core Requirements
Elementary School Teacher Classes, Saturday, March 28th
9 am, Teacher Series: Volcanoes and Earthquakes
10 am, Teacher Series: How to Teach Rocks & Minerals
11 am, Teacher Series: Forces of Erosion
12 pm, Teacher Series: Geologic Features

Rock Tumbling for the Novice & Expert, Saturday, March 28th@2pm

Cost: FREE, but you must pre-register, 801-355-7952. Classes are limited to 15 people each. You may register for one or all classes, however, out of respect for our teachers and other students, no-shows will be restricted from future registration.

Economic Stress Sale Today!

Our Economic Stress Means Super Deals Today (3/13/09) on Dichroic Glass Cabs, Eggs & Spheres, Finished Jewelry, Mineral Specimens, and More! Specials are marked throughout the store. Specials are subject to stock on hand.

Agate--What is it?

Feature Article: What is Agate?

Agate is micro- to crypto-crystalline quartz. The term micro refers to the crystals being seen only with a microscope and crypto means hidden in reference to how small the crystal structure is. It can form through volcanic or sedimentary processes. Quartz is made up of silica so it tends to be hard and glassy. It is very abundant in nature and forms an endless variety of colors, patterns, and textures. These properties make it a perfect lapidary material. Agate is a common term for the mineral chalcedony.

Jasper is a term used to distinguish the darker colors of agate such as browns, reds, mustard, and dark green. Jasper is also used to describe agate that is coarse grained.

Terms like jasp-agate are used to describe agates that have both the properties of agate and jasper. While this term has endured, it is becoming archaic.

Utah has an abundance of agate and jasper. Most of the Utah material was formed as sedimentary rock but there are also volcanic agate in Utah, such as Wendover agate.

The formation of agate is extremely complex and not well understood by scientists. The variations and combinations are almost endless which makes it difficult to decipher how it forms. Notwithstanding, agate is common around the world and one of the most collected minerals. Because of its commonality, it is often taken for granted. The complexity of the bands and patterns mixed with the structures within the agate are dazzling to many. Utah agates are included in our Free Mineral Museum Display. Come in and take a look!

March Trilobite Expedition

Trilobite Expedition:
There is still plenty of room in the Trilobite Expedition on March 21st. Cost is $60 per person eight years and older.
We convoy down so you can come home when you are ready or when it gets dark.
Bring lots of food, water, a spare tire, a great rock hammer, and newspaper to wrap your specimens.
Remember if you purchase a rock hammer from us you get the leather sheath and safety goggles FREE.