PALETTE FOR THE PAINTED DESERT
Rock&Gem Magazine|May 2023
A geologist once described the Painted Desert as a "sedimentary circus."
STEVE VOYNICK
PALETTE FOR THE PAINTED DESERT

The brilliant colors and bizarre patterns found throughout this 140-mile-long tract of badland topography in northeastern Arizona are somewhat reminiscent of colorful circus costumes.

Geologically, the Painted Desert is an expanse of heavily eroded, sedimentary formations with exposed, colorful strata of siltstone, mudstone, and shale interspersed with thin layers of limestone and volcanic material. Sparsely vegetated and arid, this region would have attracted little attention had it not been for its remarkable colors.

Visual artists have long been drawn to, and intrigued by, the Painted Desert's surreal colors and patterns. But while artists work from palettes with a wide array of oil, acrylic, and watercolor paints in every conceivable hue, the mineralogical palette that created the Painted Desert's natural colors has only a handful of minerals.

"COLORFUL AND STRANGE SCENERY"

When Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado ventured into the American Southwest in 1540, members of his scouting party became the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon. To reach the canyon, they traversed an expanse of flat-topped mesas, sculpted buttes, and deeply eroded gullies. Awed by its kaleidoscopic colors, they named the region El Desierto Pintado-the Painted Desert.

In 1858, John Strong Newberry, a geologist with a U. S. Army exploratory expedition, made the first documented use of the English term "Painted Desert" when he described in detail the region's "colorful and strange scenery."

It was initially thought a different mineral caused each of the Painted Desert's colors-blacks, grays, and off-whites to reds, pinks, yellows, greens, blues, purples, and browns. By the late 1800s, geologists had learned that the myriad colors of these 210-million-year-old Triassic sediments were created by only a few minerals.

REDS, YELLOWS, AND BROWNS 

Bu hikaye Rock&Gem Magazine dergisinin May 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Rock&Gem Magazine dergisinin May 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

ROCK&GEM MAGAZINE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
This News is for the Birds
Rock&Gem Magazine

This News is for the Birds

The amazing range of the would-be birds!

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE
Rock&Gem Magazine

CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE

California magnesite plasma agate is a kaleidoscope of minerals. Much like its neighbor from Clear Creek, it contains chalcedony, serpentine, jadeite and chromite.

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL
Rock&Gem Magazine

HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL

Even though Mother Nature creates almost unbounded types and numbers of beautiful materials for cabbing, often I struggle to find a slab that will work for the project that I want to do.

time-read
2 dak  |
July 2024
PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149
Rock&Gem Magazine

PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149

I am frequently asked what my favorite gemstone designs are and where to find them. After my trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I updated my list of favorites to include gemstone designer, Phan Thanh Trung.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Copper Minerals: My Favorite
Rock&Gem Magazine

Copper Minerals: My Favorite

I have lived in the “Copper State” of Arizona for 65 years so it should not surprise readers that copper minerals are among my favorites to collect.

time-read
4 dak  |
July 2024
OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE
Rock&Gem Magazine

OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE

The widely acclaimed, 2023 Hollywood biographical movie Oppenheimer recently won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy).

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones
Rock&Gem Magazine

Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones

Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs true because you choose to believe them? Whether it is religion, science or the metaphysical, your belief and faith make it real to you in mind, body and soul.

time-read
7 dak  |
July 2024
Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age
Rock&Gem Magazine

Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age

Rhode Island may be 22nd out of 30 states in miles of total coastline but when you compare coastline length to land acres, it ranks second only to Maryland.

time-read
4 dak  |
July 2024
Black Range Amethyst
Rock&Gem Magazine

Black Range Amethyst

Amethyst in Southwest New Mexico

time-read
7 dak  |
July 2024
EQUINE Bling!
Rock&Gem Magazine

EQUINE Bling!

How an Oklahoma Saddle Maker Uses Moissanite, Gold, Silver Turquoise tc to Adorn Saddles Jewelry

time-read
4 dak  |
July 2024