This gemstone is called Malachite. It is one of the ores of copper. It usually occurs as a green crust on other copper minerals, or as masses. The rare crystals are bright to dark green, with a silky luster. It is found worldwide in the upper oxidized zone of copper deposits. Some of the largest deposits are found in the Ural mountains of Russia, Australia, Zaire, Zambia, and Chile. Malachite is used as an ornamental stone. Its name comes from a Greek word which describes its color.

Internet Resources: Here are some links which will get you started in your quest for knowledge. The Internet is growing at an astounding rate. This list does not include every Website on gemstones and minerals, only the best of the sites that we visited! Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collection Web page at: http://galaxy.einet.net/ images/gems/gems-icons.html US Geological Survey Rocks and Minerals and Mineral Collecting Web page at: http://geology.er.usgs.gov/ eastern/rocks.html USGS Gemstones: An Overview of Production of Specific U.S. Gemstones Web page at: http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/ minerals/pubs/commodity/ gemstones/sp14-95/ Gem Hut: Gemstones and Jewelry Homepage at: http://www.gemhut.com

Museum Loan Kit: There are no kits available for the topic of gemstones and minerals. Kits can be checked out by Illinois School Teachers free of charge. For a complete list of kit topics please visit: educational loan kits For more information please contact Bob DeHoet at (618) 453-5388 or email him at: drhoet@siu.edu

Printed Resources: The Museum Explorers Library contains books on gemstones and minerals. Books in this special library can be checked out by Museum Explorer teachers free of charge. Please see our Museum Explorers Library Web page. The following is a list of printed materials about gemstones which may be available through your library: No materials available at this time. Please check back.

Previous Explorer Projects: This is a list of Museum Explorer Projects completed by teachers and students in the last three years. There are no previous school projects completed on gemstones and minerals. To view other school pages please visit our Museum Explorers School Pages.

Quartz is one of the most common minerals, forming 12 percent of the Earth's crust. It is found all over the world in many environments. It occurs as masses, and also as crystals, some of them huge. Good locations include maine, Colorado, and California. When pure it is colorless, but there are many colored varieties. This specimen is called Rose Quartz because it is pink in color.