New Exhibit Spotlight: Mighty Morphin’ Minerals

Written By Maigen Thomas

Written by Mandy Abel-Zurstadt

How can one mineral have so many forms?

This was the driving question for our 2025 intern Addison “Addie” Hancock as they designed, researched, and installed this exhibit.

Intern, Addison Hancock, standing next to their exhibit, Mighty Morphin' Minerals.

The showcase centers on calcite, with a variety of forms of this mineral displayed on the middle and bottom shelves. Each form has a chemical formula of CaCO₃ but exhibits different sizes, colors, and crystal habits (patterns). Interpretive signs, some pictured above, explain the reasons for such diversity.

Display of calcite crystal specimens showing different crystal forms, including blocky rhombohedral crystals and rounded, grape-like clusters, arranged in a museum case.

Calcite Specimens

Several other minerals that demonstrate multiple visual forms, such as gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) and barite (BaSO₄), are on the top shelf.

Large translucent gypsum crystal specimen with elongated, blade-like crystals clustered together on a display stand.

Gypsum

Though most of this exhibit is behind glass, there is a travertine lamp to the left of the display case that is a touchable part of the collection.

Touch-friendly display lamp with a curved metal stem and a rectangular travertine stone base, positioned near a window inside the museum.

Lamp with Travertine (Limestone) Base.

Mighty Morphin’ Minerals can be visited in the Museum Community Room (aka the Living Room) until the end of February 2026. Come witness one of the miracles of geology!

Maigen Thomas
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