Smithsonian Rocks and Minerals 2017 Wall Calendar

The Smithsonian mineral and gem collection consists of approximately 350,000 mineral specimens and 10,000 gems, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. The collection is used for scientific research, education programs, and public exhibitions. Born of fluid, heat, and pressure, gems dazzle us with their breathtaking colors, shapes, and diversity. The gems in the National Gem Collection were discovered in all corners of the world and are among the Earth's great splendors. Minerals are more than beautiful display pieces. They are the very building blocks of solid celestial bodies. Minerals make up the Earth, the Moon, and the meteorites that voyage to Earth from other parts of the Solar System. They hold the tangible evidence that scientists need to learn about our world. Modern civilization relies heavily on mineral resources. You use minerals every day, more than you may imagine. Rocks and Minerals 2017 features specimens of amazing form and color miraculously created by nature. Each image in this colorful calendar is accompanied by information highlighting the characteristics of the rock or mineral and a spacious grid with international holidays and moon phases. There are sections at the back of the calendar to record emergency contact information and birthdays/anniversaries and a full-page 3-year at-a-glance. This calendar makes a great gift for rock and mineral buffs. Earth friendly, printed with soya-based inks on FSC certified paper.