6 Steps for Forming - and Maintaining - a Vibrant Youth Group

Approximately 600 clubs belong to the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS). While most include kids under age 18 within their ranks, only a fraction boasts a full-scale youth group with deliberate programming aimed right at kids.

The Irish Legend of Finn McCool & the Giant's Causeway

Ireland, the emerald isle, is known for its lush green hillsides, the cliffs of Mohr and on its northern Antrim coast, a stairway of basalt columns that stretches into the sea all the way to Scotland.

THE ROCHESTER SHALE: A SNAPSHOT OF ANCIENT LIFE

425 million years ago, New York was a warm, shallow saltwater tropical sea. Exotic creatures lived, thrived and died in the lagoons. The formation of coral reefs was just beginning.

Embracing AI for Earthquake Prediction

Seismologists Swap Conventional Methods for \"Deep-Learning\" Models

Need a Map of the Ocean Floor?

Call in the Seals!

Earth, the Desert Planet

Things Look Grim 250 Million Years From Now!

Volcanoes or Asteroids?

The Debates on Dino Doom Never End!

MORGAN HILL POPPY JASPER

In California, there are very few places to collect semi-precious stones. Many locations from the past have been either exhausted of the material or the land has been developed.

THE ACORN

The briolette gemstone has the same design attributes of a regular gemstone, however, the pavilion is elongated and the crown is usually domed. This is perfect for an elegant pendant, earrings or a pendulum.

The Many Facets Jocelyn Zimmer

The First Female President in Five Generations of Zimmer Brothers Jewelers is Set to Sparkle

ARGENTINA'S INCA ROSE

Red roses are a big part of the culture of Argentina. Since European immigrants introduced the flowers in the early 1800s, they have evolved into the beloved, however unofficial, national symbol of love, beauty and strength. The famed rose gardens of Buenos Aires are one of that capitol city's major attractions. Red roses also figure prominently in Argentinian art and festivals; they are even an economic factor as the nation's third largest export.

Early Birds Emerge All Around

Australia Provides the Latest Example

Ice Moons Beckon

Compounds Hint of Conditions for Life Elsewhere in our Solar System

Beyond Minerals

I hope mineral collectors realize the acquisition of mineral specimens is just one facet of our hobby. If you look beyond the specimens in your collection, you discover a vast and fascinating world of people and history.

Paleontologists Embrace a New Method for Seeing Fossils within Rock

Fossil bone can be delicate. Attempts to remove it from a hard rock matrix by picking and scratching or etching with acids can be time-consuming and/or may end up obliterating that which you hope to study.

Asteroid Samples Are Said to Hold Invaluable Secrets

If Only Scientists Can Pop the Lid!

Consider Museum Gifts

As collectors, we all should agree that mineral displays in museums are important. Museums have fine minerals, minerals with a history and mineral oddities. The better museum displays offer people information and provide some mineral education we seek.

PIRATE GLASS: Castaways WORTH SAVING

Beach and lake glass, sometimes called \"mermaid's tears,\" make wonderful souvenirs not only for the naturally tumbled beauty of such pieces but also for the stories they can tell.

The Formation of Quake Lake

When the Earth Shakes and the Mountain Falls

OPAQUE GEMSTONES

The faceting of an opaque gemstone presents a much more elegant look than a cabochon. The shape of the design is reminiscent of a cabochon, but it is faceted. It provides distinctive flashes from the facet faces.

ROWLEY MINE CHRYSOCOLLA

This mix of copper minerals is reminiscent of the Inspiration Mine chrysocolla. Much of what has been dug out has a beautiful color array of blues, greens, reds and yellow, plus a really nice strata pattern.\"

ANT HILL GARNETS

Tiny Miners Find Big Treasures

The Mystery & the History Jet of The Black, Black Stone

Jet is one unusual stone. Used as lapidary material for millennia, it gets no respect in mineralogical circles. Among ten common rock and mineral guidebooks, seven don't even list jet in the index. The others? One has a picture with a one-sentence caption. Another offers only a brief paragraph.

The Hope Diamond Cursed... OR NOT?

Diamonds are known traditionally as symbols of wealth, beauty and love, with one notable exception-a large, unusually colored stone that is widely believed to be cursed. Many of those who have owned or simply touched this stone have met tragedy by going insane, suffering serious illnesses, committing suicide, or losing their fortunes-even being executed by guillotine.

Grizzly Electric Sawmill

As a sawmill owner, I cut lumber for a variety of outlets. Most, I cut for myself

Tools 101 Calling all Dust Extractors

We take a look at eight dust extractors to see which ones stand out and which ones suck the most

Woodworking Techniques Restoring an Antique Rocking Chair

Bring new life to a tired antique. Here are my steps to restoring an old rocking chair

CRAFTING MAGIC: Making a Drawer Box

One of magic's oldest box tricks.

Laminated Coping Saw

This project brings together a diverse set of skills including epoxy work, bent lamination, metalworking, turning, and riveting

SawStop Compact Table Saw

Most woodworkers are familiar now with the SawStop line of table saws