
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, November 4, 1994                   TAG: 9411040053
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PETER S. WILLIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

GIFTS FROM THE EARTH

The Virginia Tech Museum of Geological Sciences will hold its annual mineral sale Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at its second-floor location in Derring Hall. The mineral sale has been a yearly fund-raiser for more than 10 years and is essential to financing the many exhibits and tours the museum provides.

"We make the majority of our budget for the museum on that day," museum director and curator Susan Eriksson said.

The sale will feature items related to the geological sciences, such as Brazilian agate slabs and Madagascaran petrified wood. Finished malachite necklaces, cut geode paperweights and polished feldspar eggs also will be available, along with many other items crafted from minerals.

The broad selection is designed to appeal to everyone from kids to collectors. Prices will reflect the variety and value.

"We have people spend anywhere from 25 cents up to $200," Eriksson said.

Many of the items were purchased at mineral shows in Tucson, Ariz., and Denver. The museum participates in these mineral shows yearly, and Eriksson uses these opportunities to acquire items for the museum or for resale at the fund-raiser. Other items were donated by alumni or by the Department of Geological Sciences at Virginia Tech.

Previous sales have been very successful, attracting hundreds of interested buyers, according to Eriksson. The sale also has a strong appeal for younger "rock hounds" who may want to browse more than they want to buy. Volunteers from the Department of Geological Sciences will be on hand to provide information and assistance.

The funds generated will cover a variety of operating expenses, from hiring students to supervise tours to creating new mineralogical exhibits.

The exhibits help visitors understand the impact of minerals on the world. The current exhibit highlights the numerous possibilities of silver, from artistic to industrial applications. Future exhibits will focus on Virginia mineral resources and mining practices.

"People don't just want to see a bunch of scientific facts, they want to know why [minerals] are important," Eriksson said.

The Museum of Geological Sciences opened in the mid-1960s as a resource for research and teaching at the university. It has since broadened its mission to provide materials and information for school teachers, tours for school groups and research material for outside universities.

by CNB