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Lessons Learned
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Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum
June 2, 2007
by Beth Baumert
We’re big wheels at the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum.
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Six of us braved the heat and torn-up roads of downtown Phoenix to
visit the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum:
Brian C., Michael H., Joe M., Brian T., Dana T., and Beth B.
It was well worth the trip!
It was heavenly to be in a room full of minerals, many of which are found
in Arizona. This state is truly a geology paradise.
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It’s amazing to see so many different types of quartz (SiO2)
and also how many different forms the elements can assume when oxidized
or combined into other types of compounds.
Some minerals with copper are blue (azurite) whereas others are green
(malachite), although copper metal is reddish-brownish.
Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of Cu and Al.
I liked the pink manganese carbonate (MnCO3), which is called
rhodochrosite (meaning “rose-colored”).
Minerals with vanadium are red.
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I wonder how it tastes with whipped cream?
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We’ve found a bonanza, right here.
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It was interesting to see many of the minerals growing as dendrites and
some as rose shapes (such as the gypsum I bought in the gift shop).
Some of the minerals are luminescent.
There were meteorites on display as well as some semi-precious stones
such as opals and jade.
In addition, there were geodes, petrified wood, and “meals”
of rocks. The shapes and varieties of the minerals are fascinating.
I bought a whole collection, including birefringent calcite, for less
than $7 in the gift shop! I was ecstatic.
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I highly recommend this museum.
It was a fun outing with a nice group of people.
Photos courtesy of Michael Humphrey.
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