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Dr. Jennifer Anné, our lead paleontologist and manager of the natural sciences collection, introduces us to five minerals that we can find around the house so you can start your own collection. Check out the video and then see which of these minerals you can find around your house!
You didn’t know you had a treasure trove of minerals right in your own house, did you? Here’s a reminder of the minerals you have right in your own home so you can start your own collection today!
Sulfur
Sulfur makes up the head of the match. That’s why it smells a bit like rotten eggs whenever you strike a match. This is what also gives volcanic gasses their eggy smell.
Fluorite
Flourite is found in your toothpaste. It is also in city tap water because it helps keep your teeth healthy. Fluoride can grow into cool prisms that look like gaming dice.
Kyanite
Kyanite is used in the production of porcelain. It’s also used in electronics and as a semiprecious stone in jewelry.
Muscovite
Muscovite is used to make the shiny specks in nail polish and car paint. Muscovite comes off in sheets that can be pulled back like pages of a book. Because these sheets can be very thin, muscovite was used for windows in some areas of the world, including Russia.
Quartz
Quartz is used to make glass. Sand is also mostly made up of quartz. Quartz can come in many colors, including
- Purple (amethyst)
- Pink (rose quartz)
- Grey (smoky quartz)
- Yellow (citrine)
Share your collection!
Once you've started your mineral collection, share it with us by using the hashtag #TCMatHome on social media. We can't wait to see what you've found!
