Seeing Possibilities, the first chapter of the rotating Fred Wilda rough and cut display.
What possibilities lie within a rough stone? A new exhibit at the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals invites visitors to explore that question through Fred Wilda’s rough-and-cut collection.
From Stone to Story opened October 24 with a reception celebrating its first chapter, Seeing Possibilities. Featuring rough specimens alongside cut gems, the exhibit offers a closer look at the relationships between a stone’s natural form and the beauty revealed through cutting and polishing.
Meet Fred Wilda
Fred Wilda is an artist, mineral collector, and lapidary whose work reflects a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Raised on a small farm in Hadley, Massachusetts, he began drawing, painting, and carving as a child. A self-taught artist, he built a career in commercial art while continuing to paint landscapes, wildlife, and portraits.
In 1997, Fred began collecting natural mineral crystals—a discovery that brought together his interests in art and nature. Working in watercolor, often directly from specimens, he captured the intricate forms and beauty of minerals. His original paintings have been commissioned by collectors, museums, and institutions.
From Stone to Story celebrates another dimension of Fred’s passion: his collection of rough and polished rocks and minerals. Drawn from more than 400 pieces, the rotating exhibit invites visitors to explore the connections between natural specimens and the possibilities revealed through lapidary work.
Chapter 1: Seeing Possibilities
The first chapter invites visitors to slow down, look closely, and consider how a rough stone can inspire a finished gem. Labradorite and Pala tourmaline pairings are among the highlights, offering opportunities to compare the rough material with its cut counterpart.
Rough and cut tourmaline in lepidolite.
The photos and video from our opening celebration offer a glimpse of the exhibit, but we encourage you to experience these pieces in person. Seeing Possibilities is on view through April 2027, so there is plenty of time to plan a visit.
Follow the Story—and Collect Your Stamps
From Stone to Story will unfold across three chapters, each offering a fresh perspective on the collection. To make the journey even more fun, visitors can pick up a collector’s card and receive a stamp during each chapter.
Visit all three chapters, collect all three stamps, and receive a prize at the end! If you missed the opening reception, you can still pick up your card and earn your first stamp when you visit Chapter 1.
Collector’s card.
The planned chapter schedule is:
Chapter 1: Seeing Possibilities — October 2026–April 2027
Chapter 2: Names of Stone — May–October 2027
Chapter 3: A Sense of Place — November 2027–April 2028
Dates for Chapters 2 and 3 are tentative.
Come See the Possibilities
Whether you joined us for the opening or are discovering the exhibit for the first time, we invite you to explore From Stone to Story at the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals.
Come take a closer look, find your favorite pairing, and pick up your collector’s card. The story is just beginning.
