The College of Science weekly video series, Mineral Monday, explores the many minerals, fossils and historical objects on display at the W.M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum, as told by curator Garrett Barmore.This week's specimen may be familiar to you. Pyrite is very common, but it is better known by another name. Before watching the video, see if you can guess what pyrite's nickname is.
Iron pyrite comes in a few very unique crystal formations, such as this multi-cube shape. The almost perfect angles make it appear as if it has been carved or formed by human hands, but this is how the mineral forms naturally.
These pyrite specimens can be found on the ground floor of the main gallery in case 84.
More about the Keck Museum and Mineral Monday
Located in the Mackay School of Mines building at the University of Nevada, Reno, the W.M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The Keck Museum houses an outstanding collection of minerals, ores, fossil specimens, and photographs, in addition to mining related relics. The museum is also home to some of the spectacular Mackay Silver Collection, created by Tiffany & Co., for John Mackay and completed in 1878.
For directions and museum details, visit unr.edu/keck.
Mineral Monday is produced by the College of Science. To receive Mineral Monday in your inbox each week, sign up here.
Watch past episodes of Mineral Monday
See you next Mineral Monday!
