Crystal magic - fascinating structures in dark tourmalines

Tourmalines have been coveted and precious gemstones with an extraordinary wealth of colors and shapes for centuries. Only a few years ago it was discovered that the black and opaque tourmaline variety "schorl" also reveals brilliant colors and remarkable fine structures when it is cut into slices and then ground thinner and thinner. The special exhibition by chemist and mineral photographer Dr. Paul Rustemeyer shows large-format photos of the beautiful inner worlds of tourmaline crystals, which are presented together with a large number of crystals and cuts. Many of the newly discovered structures allow insights into the interior of the tourmalines and the crystallographic information stored in them, just like an X-ray image. As tourmaline crystals are textbook examples of almost all phenomena occurring in crystals, the exhibition also provides an insight into interesting crystal phenomena. Tourmalines from the Black Forest and magnificent colored tourmalines from the K. Küsters collection complete the show. Events accompanying the exhibition

PUBLIC GUIDED TOURS
Sunday tours
24.3. and 19.5.2019, 11 a.m.
Cost: museum admission, adults plus €2

Themed tours on Friday
12.4. and 28.6.2019, 3.30 pm each
Museum admission and participation free

LECTURE
Tourmaline experience Madagascar
by Dr. Paul Rustemeyer, Gundelfingen
Tuesday, 14.5.2019, 18.30 hrs
Admission free

ACTION SUNNESDAYS
Wafer-thin and colorful - cutting tourmaline discs
Workshop for 9- to 12-year-olds
Friday, 3.5. and 7.6.2019, 3 - 4.30 hrs
Cost: €12 incl. admission and materials Admission and materials included
Registration: (0721) 175-2111
Many tourmaline crystals are actually pitch black, but when cut into wafer-thin slices, they reveal beautiful colors. In the workshop, all participants can cut their own small tourmaline slice and take it home with them.

The colorful world of crystals
Workshop for 9- to 99-year-olds
Saturday, 6.4.2019, 2-5 p.m.
Cost: adults €15, children €12 incl. admission and materials. Admission and materials included
Registration: (0721) 175-2111
In this colorful workshop, we invite all interested parties from young to old to cut colorful tourmaline slices, make geometric crystal models out of paper and get to know selected minerals that can otherwise only be admired behind glass in the exhibition. Afterwards, participants can take the results of their work home with them.