The World of Sand: Science, Beauty, and Utility

  • March 1, 2025 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Rice NW Museum of Rocks & Minerals

    26385 Northwest Groveland Drive
    Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
Ticket Price $5.72-$22.13 Register Now
Description

Everyone has some idea of what sand is. It often conjures visions of warm tropical beaches. But not all sand is alike, in fact the differences are often as amazing as they are beautiful. Sand is the most abundant natural resource on Earth, almost as abundant as the stars in the Universe. It is essential to construction, industry, and technology. Forensic scientists solve crimes by matching sand from crime scenes with sand from known sources. Geologists study sand to unravel the Earth’s history. As a hobby, sand provides endless hours of educational fun. 

 

Join us as geologist Julian Gray takes us on a tour of the World of Sand. Through stunning photographs of his personal collection, Julian will show the diversity and beauty of this common and underappreciated natural material. Coffee, tea, and dessert will be available at 4pm, prior to the lecture. 

 

Julian Gray is a retired geologist and museum curator. He is Chair of the Science Committee of the International Sand Collectors Society and current president of the Geological Society of the Oregon Country. He is a former curator of Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia and the Rice Museum. Julian also served as Executive Director of the Rice Museum. A Georgia native, Julian studied at Georgia State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in geology. He received additional training in micro-analytical techniques from the McCrone Research Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Julian is particularly interested in optical mineralogy, identifying minerals through their optic properties using a combination of spindle stage and polarized light microscopy. Julian has worked with the U.S. Geological Survey and several commercial laboratories and environmental consulting firms.

Photo: 5X, red, garnet-bearing sand form Ruby Beach on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington.

Date & Time

Sat, Mar 1, 2025 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Venue Details

Rice NW Museum of Rocks & Minerals

26385 Northwest Groveland Drive
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124 Rice NW Museum of Rocks & Minerals
Rice NW Museum

The Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals houses a world-class collection recognized as the finest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the best in the nation. Located just west of Portland, Oregon, in Hillsboro, the Museum showcases not only fine rocks and minerals, but also fossils, meteorites, lapidary art, and gemstones from both the Pacific Northwest and all around the world. The Museum is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its unique architectural style, natural stonework, and the extraordinary native Oregon woodwork found throughout the building.  

 

Our mission is to engage, inspire, and educate on the wonder and complexity of our earth.