Getting Stoned: University of Maine Received Over 70 Minerals As A Donation

Getting Stoned: A Podcast About Gems and Minerals

Today on Getting Stoned, I want to talk about something I saw in my Google news feed. The University of Maine received a cool donation of over 70 minerals and gemstones in April. The collection was donated to the University of Maine School of Earth and Climate Sciences in hopes of inspiring more students to study the physical processes that shape our planet.

The photo cover for the podcast was taken by David Jakacky for The Maine Campus

The specimens are museum quality and were donated anonymously. They will join the university's collection of rocks, minerals, and ore samples that are used for teaching, research, and public education. Students will get to explore the rare and far reaches of the earth's crusts by analyzing the samples donated.

The donated gems and minerals include specimens of giant zeolite geodes from India, Brazilian agate, Vanadinite from Morocco, sulfur from Italy, and a unique specimen of petrified wood with amethyst inclusions that were found in Arizona. Samples and carvings of tourmaline mined in Maine were also included in the donation.

UMaine News interviewed Scott Johnston who is the Director of the School of Earth and Climate Sciences. He spoke of how impactful the donation was to the department. “When I was an undergraduate student trying to decide on a major, the magnificent minerals collection in the geology department at my university magnified my interest in the major. We believe that this wonderful gift will have the same impact on visiting high school students and on UMaine undergraduate students who are choosing what to focus on in college and their careers,” Johnston said.

The photo cover for the podcast was taken by David Jakacky for The Maine Campus

About Getting Stoned

Getting Stoned is a podcast about gems, minerals, and fun conversations that may go off-topic--but that’s perfectly fine. The mission of this podcast is to encourage folks to explore the wonderful world of crystals, gems, minerals, and the various ways they are used in life, technology, and more.

I am currently seeking sponsors and opportunities start at just $1 and go up to $150 for those interested in advertising. Visit my website, gettingstoned.online to learn more.