Gems and Minerals: 10 Years of Treasure Hunting from the Desert to the Arctic

Philippe Belley, PhD student in gem deposit geology, chronicles his gemstone and crystal hunting trips to Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut, B.C., and the United States undertaken since 2006. This lecture will feature: pulling out perfect quartz crystals from rock faces near Whistler, B.C.; a secret crystal-lined cave in the backwoods of Quebec; recovering gem peridot from volcanic flows; visiting sapphire and lapis lazuli deposits in the Arctic; finding topaz in the Utah desert; and even finding bird vomit from the last ice age! Come see the amazing geologic heritage that lies hidden in North America's vast, breathtaking wilderness.