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.
Video games have been treating kidney stones as infections for years (Arknights, BioShock, etc).
Our new PNAS paper shows they were onto something: bacteria are embedded throughout these stones, even in “noninfectious” cases.
Games intuited the science.
open.substack.com/pub/aaroncel...
Our new PNAS paper shows they were onto something: bacteria are embedded throughout these stones, even in “noninfectious” cases.
Games intuited the science.
open.substack.com/pub/aaroncel...
January 27, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Video games have been treating kidney stones as infections for years (Arknights, BioShock, etc).
Our new PNAS paper shows they were onto something: bacteria are embedded throughout these stones, even in “noninfectious” cases.
Games intuited the science.
open.substack.com/pub/aaroncel...
Our new PNAS paper shows they were onto something: bacteria are embedded throughout these stones, even in “noninfectious” cases.
Games intuited the science.
open.substack.com/pub/aaroncel...
The digital worlds we create reflect the real world we value. This isn't just a gaming problem—it's a science communication problem. If the average person never encounters zeolites in media, how would they know these materials exist? How would they appreciate their importance?
January 19, 2026 at 10:11 PM
The digital worlds we create reflect the real world we value. This isn't just a gaming problem—it's a science communication problem. If the average person never encounters zeolites in media, how would they know these materials exist? How would they appreciate their importance?
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Never gets old, an outrageous gem carpet ✨✨
Alfie Norville Museum in Tucson AZ
Alfie Norville Museum in Tucson AZ
February 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Never gets old, an outrageous gem carpet ✨✨
Alfie Norville Museum in Tucson AZ
Alfie Norville Museum in Tucson AZ
The prospering backyards final report is out! It’s a little light on the science by design, but I have a manuscript in prep that will fill in all the gaps.
static1.squarespace.com/static/614a8...
static1.squarespace.com/static/614a8...
February 2, 2025 at 4:24 AM
The prospering backyards final report is out! It’s a little light on the science by design, but I have a manuscript in prep that will fill in all the gaps.
static1.squarespace.com/static/614a8...
static1.squarespace.com/static/614a8...
Things that people are sending me from the #eatonfire
What I’m dubbing as a fireball, these charred parts of trees were report very abundant. They would rain down and start houses on fire.
They will be cataloged and included in our collection.
What I’m dubbing as a fireball, these charred parts of trees were report very abundant. They would rain down and start houses on fire.
They will be cataloged and included in our collection.
January 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Things that people are sending me from the #eatonfire
What I’m dubbing as a fireball, these charred parts of trees were report very abundant. They would rain down and start houses on fire.
They will be cataloged and included in our collection.
What I’m dubbing as a fireball, these charred parts of trees were report very abundant. They would rain down and start houses on fire.
They will be cataloged and included in our collection.
Preparing and analyzing fire ash samples. There are lots of steps 🥵
January 28, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Preparing and analyzing fire ash samples. There are lots of steps 🥵
Artifical Intellegence.
Getting our exhibit ready for the tucson gem show, and Apple intellence wanted to identify my mineral photos for me.
cuprosklodowskite = turtle grass
duffite = broccoli
chervetite = duckweed
Getting our exhibit ready for the tucson gem show, and Apple intellence wanted to identify my mineral photos for me.
cuprosklodowskite = turtle grass
duffite = broccoli
chervetite = duckweed
January 27, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Artifical Intellegence.
Getting our exhibit ready for the tucson gem show, and Apple intellence wanted to identify my mineral photos for me.
cuprosklodowskite = turtle grass
duffite = broccoli
chervetite = duckweed
Getting our exhibit ready for the tucson gem show, and Apple intellence wanted to identify my mineral photos for me.
cuprosklodowskite = turtle grass
duffite = broccoli
chervetite = duckweed
After working for years on this project, the paper is finally published in PLOS ONE. This paper details the molecular processes that the drug lokelma works to selectively absorb potassium.
Press release with link to paper
shorturl.at/AHV46
Press release with link to paper
shorturl.at/AHV46
March 28, 2024 at 5:17 AM
After working for years on this project, the paper is finally published in PLOS ONE. This paper details the molecular processes that the drug lokelma works to selectively absorb potassium.
Press release with link to paper
shorturl.at/AHV46
Press release with link to paper
shorturl.at/AHV46
New podcast is up and running. There is one episode now, with 14 more in queue.
podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aa-...
podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aa-...
March 27, 2024 at 4:06 AM
New podcast is up and running. There is one episode now, with 14 more in queue.
podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aa-...
podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aa-...
Getting ready for Tucson
January 13, 2024 at 5:54 AM
Getting ready for Tucson