Pocketful of χtals
@nhmlagems.bsky.social
Curator @NHMLA: Aaron Celestian, Ph.D.
Writer and host of Pocketful of χtals (pronounced: crys-tals) https://open.substack.com/pub/aaroncelestian
Researching how minerals can be used to solve problems like climate change, pollution, and disease.
Writer and host of Pocketful of χtals (pronounced: crys-tals) https://open.substack.com/pub/aaroncelestian
Researching how minerals can be used to solve problems like climate change, pollution, and disease.
SpecimrnPro just got a huge update. Try it for free, catalog your collection forever.
apps.apple.com/us/app/speci...
apps.apple.com/us/app/speci...
November 13, 2025 at 4:15 AM
SpecimrnPro just got a huge update. Try it for free, catalog your collection forever.
apps.apple.com/us/app/speci...
apps.apple.com/us/app/speci...
I had a chance to wear the most expensive glasses ever—Mughal glasses from the 1700’s. Single crystal emerald and diamond lens. These are the original designs that inspired Tiffany’s remake a few years back.
Diamond: D flawless, and both lenses are from the same rough.
Diamond: D flawless, and both lenses are from the same rough.
September 22, 2025 at 9:37 PM
I had a chance to wear the most expensive glasses ever—Mughal glasses from the 1700’s. Single crystal emerald and diamond lens. These are the original designs that inspired Tiffany’s remake a few years back.
Diamond: D flawless, and both lenses are from the same rough.
Diamond: D flawless, and both lenses are from the same rough.
Daytime or nighttime? Midnight in big sky country.
September 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Daytime or nighttime? Midnight in big sky country.
Just started using Windsurf as my IDE for coding, and it’s pretty amazing. If you sign up with my personal link, you and I get 250 credits for free. I think that about 2 weeks of solid coding using only the AI (Claude Sonnet 4).
windsurf.com/refer?referr...
windsurf.com/refer?referr...
Referrals | Windsurf
Refer a friend and earn bonus add-on prompt credits.
windsurf.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Just started using Windsurf as my IDE for coding, and it’s pretty amazing. If you sign up with my personal link, you and I get 250 credits for free. I think that about 2 weeks of solid coding using only the AI (Claude Sonnet 4).
windsurf.com/refer?referr...
windsurf.com/refer?referr...
Reposted by Pocketful of χtals
October 1 deadline for @nhm.org Student Collections Study Award. Get some $$ to spend time collecting data in our collections, including @tarpits.org
Open to:
- current undergraduate and grad students
- *not* local to Los Angeles (international applicants welcome)
More:
nhm.org/student-coll...
🧪
Open to:
- current undergraduate and grad students
- *not* local to Los Angeles (international applicants welcome)
More:
nhm.org/student-coll...
🧪
Student Collections Study Award
The NHM Collections Study Awards provide funding for undergraduate and graduate students to visit and study the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the La Brea Tar Pits & ...
nhm.org
September 4, 2025 at 9:13 PM
October 1 deadline for @nhm.org Student Collections Study Award. Get some $$ to spend time collecting data in our collections, including @tarpits.org
Open to:
- current undergraduate and grad students
- *not* local to Los Angeles (international applicants welcome)
More:
nhm.org/student-coll...
🧪
Open to:
- current undergraduate and grad students
- *not* local to Los Angeles (international applicants welcome)
More:
nhm.org/student-coll...
🧪
Great story in Eos that just came out :)
⬆️ With comments from Kimberley Miner & Robert Green @ JPL, @nhmlagems.bsky.social, Mike Lamb @ Caltech, & Adit Ghosh @usc.edu. Story by @astrokimcartier.bsky.social.
August 29, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Great story in Eos that just came out :)
One of our newest donations, this massive stibnite cluster from the Wuning Mine, China.
July 24, 2025 at 1:07 AM
One of our newest donations, this massive stibnite cluster from the Wuning Mine, China.
Crystallography and its relation to steganography (hiding messages inside of messages). I dove in this strange relation, and it involves code breaking 😇
The Russian Radio Station That's Been Broadcasting Secrets for 50 Years—And How I May Have Cracked It
A crystallography analysis suggests UVB-76 may be using hidden timing patterns to encode information in plain sight
open.substack.com
July 2, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Crystallography and its relation to steganography (hiding messages inside of messages). I dove in this strange relation, and it involves code breaking 😇
May 26, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Finally, a free comprehensive Raman analysis app #CalaritySpectra
Free download on GitHub github.com/aaroncelesti...
Free download on GitHub github.com/aaroncelesti...
May 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Finally, a free comprehensive Raman analysis app #CalaritySpectra
Free download on GitHub github.com/aaroncelesti...
Free download on GitHub github.com/aaroncelesti...
Up until 2001, only three painite crystals were known to exist. Since then, additional discoveries have produced many more specimens, but facetable material remains very rare.
May 10, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Up until 2001, only three painite crystals were known to exist. Since then, additional discoveries have produced many more specimens, but facetable material remains very rare.
Reposted by Pocketful of χtals
URGENT ACTION FOR NSF GRANTEES.
For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.
We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)
For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.
We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)
April 24, 2025 at 10:44 PM
URGENT ACTION FOR NSF GRANTEES.
For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.
We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)
For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.
We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)
@latimes.com story just published today and some of my work was included :)
www.latimes.com/lifestyle/st...
www.latimes.com/lifestyle/st...
Polluted soil is all over L.A. Here's how to fix it, even if your home didn't burn
The Eaton and Palisades fires likely made polluted soils worse, but soil experts say bioremediation may be an alternative to scraping, especially for gardeners.
www.latimes.com
April 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
@latimes.com story just published today and some of my work was included :)
www.latimes.com/lifestyle/st...
www.latimes.com/lifestyle/st...
Found this abandoned gem in the collection today without a catalog number or a label.
What is it?
After some experiments, we were surprised to find out that …
What is it?
After some experiments, we were surprised to find out that …
April 17, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Found this abandoned gem in the collection today without a catalog number or a label.
What is it?
After some experiments, we were surprised to find out that …
What is it?
After some experiments, we were surprised to find out that …
The MBUSD Green Committee is thrilled to host this panel moderated by MBMS Science Teacher Niel Leonard. Come learn about green job opportunities and hear from experts in Environmental Law, Finance, Science, Business, Healthcare, Engineering, and Policy. This event is free, open to the public!
April 14, 2025 at 9:31 PM
The MBUSD Green Committee is thrilled to host this panel moderated by MBMS Science Teacher Niel Leonard. Come learn about green job opportunities and hear from experts in Environmental Law, Finance, Science, Business, Healthcare, Engineering, and Policy. This event is free, open to the public!
Just saw this great cartoon! I happened to be at a geobiology conference and sat next to the author, Dr. Karen Loyd!
youtu.be/p5DaU1xr6G8?...
youtu.be/p5DaU1xr6G8?...
Unearthed: The Mysterious Microbes in the Earth's Crust Could Help Us With The Climate Crisis
YouTube video by Scientific American
youtu.be
April 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Just saw this great cartoon! I happened to be at a geobiology conference and sat next to the author, Dr. Karen Loyd!
youtu.be/p5DaU1xr6G8?...
youtu.be/p5DaU1xr6G8?...
Are you an April baby? Well, if you are, here is a famous diamond for you… the Jonker I. Exhibited @nhmla in 2023, it was the first time since the late 1930’s than it had been seen by the public. Here is a bit of back story.
nhm.org/stories/jonk...
nhm.org/stories/jonk...
April 4, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Are you an April baby? Well, if you are, here is a famous diamond for you… the Jonker I. Exhibited @nhmla in 2023, it was the first time since the late 1930’s than it had been seen by the public. Here is a bit of back story.
nhm.org/stories/jonk...
nhm.org/stories/jonk...
Well, I finally found my name on a bathroom stall wall. But we did have a good time during my talk 😂
#mines #coloradoschoolofMines
#mines #coloradoschoolofMines
April 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Well, I finally found my name on a bathroom stall wall. But we did have a good time during my talk 😂
#mines #coloradoschoolofMines
#mines #coloradoschoolofMines
Just finished my last Mineralogical Society of America distinguished lecture tour. I will be making podcast episodes of these in the new future.
March 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Just finished my last Mineralogical Society of America distinguished lecture tour. I will be making podcast episodes of these in the new future.
Reposted by Pocketful of χtals
Who remembers? 😜
March 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Who remembers? 😜
Kind of an incredible intact aquamarine pocket for all you March babies.
It’s from Pakistan.
Will be on display at the Natural History Museum of L.A. summer 2025.
It’s from Pakistan.
Will be on display at the Natural History Museum of L.A. summer 2025.
March 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Kind of an incredible intact aquamarine pocket for all you March babies.
It’s from Pakistan.
Will be on display at the Natural History Museum of L.A. summer 2025.
It’s from Pakistan.
Will be on display at the Natural History Museum of L.A. summer 2025.
February 26, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Installed. “Unusual Green Minerals” at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show. With a whole suite if ugrandite garnets.
February 13, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Installed. “Unusual Green Minerals” at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show. With a whole suite if ugrandite garnets.
#microscopyMonday
I’m getting ready for the Tucson show, and I’m bringing a wide range of specimens—thumbnails to dinosaurs bones.
Get out the companion site I made with 3D models, photos, stories and more.
The show them is green, so my case has loads of rare green minerals.
I’m getting ready for the Tucson show, and I’m bringing a wide range of specimens—thumbnails to dinosaurs bones.
Get out the companion site I made with 3D models, photos, stories and more.
The show them is green, so my case has loads of rare green minerals.
50 Shades of Green
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
storymaps.arcgis.com
February 11, 2025 at 5:42 AM
#microscopyMonday
I’m getting ready for the Tucson show, and I’m bringing a wide range of specimens—thumbnails to dinosaurs bones.
Get out the companion site I made with 3D models, photos, stories and more.
The show them is green, so my case has loads of rare green minerals.
I’m getting ready for the Tucson show, and I’m bringing a wide range of specimens—thumbnails to dinosaurs bones.
Get out the companion site I made with 3D models, photos, stories and more.
The show them is green, so my case has loads of rare green minerals.
Standing at the shore of Lake Karachay for just one hour in 1990 would deliver enough radiation to kill you, yet for years Soviet workers dumped radioactive waste directly into its waters. The lake that earned the title of Earth's most contaminated place is now hidden.
Lake Karachay
The Evolution of Earth's Most Contaminated Body of Water
open.substack.com
February 9, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Standing at the shore of Lake Karachay for just one hour in 1990 would deliver enough radiation to kill you, yet for years Soviet workers dumped radioactive waste directly into its waters. The lake that earned the title of Earth's most contaminated place is now hidden.