Ever wondered how rocks are formed? Want to learn how to identify a mineral? Are you amazed at the natural symmetry of crystals? Are you thrilled at the spectacular glitter or color of some minerals? Why have some gems and precious stones long been used as a mean of exchange as well as symbols of power, wealth and aesthetics? The National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung answers all the questions through the display on its fine collection of specimens of gemstones, rock fossils and minerals from July 7, 2010 through February, 2011.

The Earth's Treasures exhibition presents approximately 500 mineral, gem, rock, and meteorites specimens from all over the world. Highlights of this exhibition include a 1.6-ton heart-shaped dark violet amethyst geode from Rio Grande do Sul^*, South Region, Brazil and a crystallized gold cluster that is a highly coveted object in the mineral kingdom, and a 1.5cm-long emerald crystal. Also on view is a good many of fluorite crystals whose colors range from purple, blue, green, yellow, colorless, brown, pink, black and reddish orange. In addition, among the wonderful pieces of this peculiar collection, you can find a variety of crystals surprising for their colors and nuances, agglomerates of eccentric shapes that evocate living creatures or suggest the idea of motion.

Amethyst Geode

Fluorite Crystals

　　

The Earth's Treasures exhibition space is divided into Zones of Amygdaloidal Cavities in the Huge Basalt Formation, the Beauty of Mineral Colors, the Beauty of Mineral Shapes, Minerals & Human Civilization, Minerals & Human life, and the Trend of Mineral Application. Each display case in the exhibition presents a theme for visitors to explore and a selection of amazing specimens that illustrate the subject, and each piece of the jewelry on display is accompanied with its gemstone and rough mineral, that offers visitors the chance to see vibrant specimens up close, learn an abundance of facts and discover what rocks and minerals tell us about Earth’s amazing treasury. Also, visitors can marvel at minerals that glow in the dark as they explore our display of fluorescent minerals. From glittering gemstones to fascinating minerals and fossils, Earth’s Treasures is an incredible celebration of the Earth’s buried treasures.

“This is the first time that a major museum such as ours has held a show of this magnitude,” says Dr. Ho Kung-suan, exhibition organizer and head of the Museum’s Geology Department, “We rarely pay attention to what is happening underground, out of our sight. In fact, rocks and minerals have carried the best record of global environmental changes and geological formations, and supported the development of societies and civilizations throughout human history,” he continues. “The importance of rocks and minerals in our daily life is hardly recognized by the vast majority of people,” adds Ho, “Salt, which is essential for animal life, is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride. We depend on rocks and minerals as raw materials. Gemstones have been prized since antiquity for adornment and as symbols of status and wealth. Meteorites are some of the oldest pieces of our solar system and are keys to unraveling its origin. Consider how the application of rocks, minerals and gemstones enrich the quality of our lives both aesthetically and practically.” “We bring these treasures to light to reconnect our visitors to the rich and mysterious mineral world and make this exhibition a visual and intellectual feast,” concludes Ho at the opening reception.

Either you are a serious collector or a hobbyist, or you are simply one who appreciates beautiful things. Do not miss this grand event!

^* Rio Grande to Sul is best known to collectors, mineralogists and museum curators for the wonderful specimens of agate and amethyst that come from the amygdaloidal cavities in the huge basalt formation known as the Parana basalts.

Earth's Treasures is organized by National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung.
Generous support for Earth's Treasures has been provided by Kiko's Fossil & Mineral Museum, Taipei.

• Guided tours 11:00, 14:00; Museum days; Jul.13–Aug.31; Free
• Mineral crystals DIY 9:00,10:00,11:00,13:00,1400,15:00; Tuesday–Friday; Jul.7–Aug.27; Free
• Interactive games:
  Learning about Minerals in our daily life 10:00–11:30, 14:00–15:30; Weekends in July; Free Challenges to Minerals 10:00–11:30, 14:00–15:30; Weekends in August; Free
• Lecture: Minerals Saturday, Aug. 16, 14:00-16:00; Red Conference Room; Free