Gems & Minerals

Learn about the geologic history of the Seattle area and some of the surprising fossils found right in the Burke's backyard.

Get a close-up look at our planet at this rockin' after-hours party.

Discover how fossils reveal evidence of Earth’s transformation over time—and what the future might hold.

Celebrate Grand Opening with singers, dancers, poets and DJs, and be among the first to see the New Burke!

Turquoise is composed of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate. It forms when circulating water alters other aluminum-rich rocks in desert environments.

Some citrine actually began as purple amethyst, but heat from nearby molten rock changed it to a warm yellow color.

The presence of water in the mineral structure allows geologists to determine the temperature of the rock at the time the opal formed.

Sapphire is any form of corundum that is not red, as red varieties are called rubies.

Peridot is type of olivine, and comes in various shades of green, from light to a brilliant olive green.