Justin Bank, right, a doctoral student in SIU Carbondale’s geosciences program, helps a visitor at last year’s rock and mineral clinic in Marion.(Photo provided)
April 09, 2026
SIU holds rock and mineral clinic at Marion event this weekend
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s geology program will host a rock and mineral clinic this weekend during a celebration for local mineral enthusiasts.
The clinic – from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 12 – is part of this weekend’s Marion Gem and Mineral Show at The Pavillion, 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion.
Members of the public are invited to bring in any rock, mineral or geological sample for identification, its history and pedigree. There is no limit on the number of samples. They can also learn the basic common examination techniques that graduate students and Daniel Hummer, an associate professor in SIU’s geology program use. The program is in SIU’s School of Earth Systems and Sustainability.
All ages are welcome at the event, which is $2 for adults and free for students 18 and younger. Free parking is available.
Hummer is on sabbatical at Carnegie Science in Washington, D.C. but his graduate students and the SIU Geology Club will be available for rock identifications. The students are eager to share their Saluki stories — they can field questions about SIU and the geology program.
The Marion Gem and Mineral Show celebrates Geologists Day, which fell on April 5 this year. Originally established in April 1966 by scientists in the former Soviet Union, the day honors and recognizes the work of geologists, geophysicists and geochemists who study the history of Earth and the composition of rocks, soil, water, minerals and other materials.