Exceptional minerals, useful minerals. Conference by G. Calas on April 13, 2015

Conference event: Exceptional minerals, useful minerals

Minerals are unique witnesses and mediators for a better understanding of our planet and its evolution, as well as our socio-economic and cultural environment. Whether used by man since time immemorial or discovered only recently, mineral resources play a central role in our civilizations, from Artistic creation to economic and human development and major environmental challenges.

As part of Prof. Georges Calas' lecture series on the theme of mineral resources in the context of sustainable development, the Collège de France is offering a lecture-event entitled "Exceptional minerals, useful minerals", during which a number of exceptional minerals from the major Parisian mineralogy collections will be presented and analyzed "live".

The museums of Mines ParisTech, Université Pierre et Marie Curie and the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle bring together three mineral collections of the highest order in terms of their diversity and scientific, historical and aesthetic interest, forming an ensemble that is unique in the world.

The conference will be hosted by Prof. Georges Calas, with Jean-Claude Boulliard, Director of the Mineralogy Collection at the Université Pierre et Marie Curie, François Farges, Professor at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle and Didier Nectoux, Curator of the Mineralogy Museum at Mines ParisTech.

The speakers will present remarkable minerals, chosen for their great historical, cultural and scientific interest, and explain how they were formed and what their history has been. They will also talk about how these beautifully coloured and shaped specimens may have witnessed the great hours of our history, or inspired writers and poets. Finally, these minerals will be the starting point for a more contemporary reflection on the use of mineral resources in a sustainable context.

To coincide with the conference, 7 exceptional free tours of the three collections will be offered, subject to availability.

Tour of the mineralogy collection at Université Pierre et Marie Curie

• tuesday April 14, 2015 at 3 pm ;
• friday April 17, 2015 at 11 am.

Registration with the collection director, Mr. Jean-Claude Boulliard: Jean-Claude.Boulliard@impmc.jussieu.fr

Visit to the Mines ParisTech mineralogy museum

• tuesday April 14, 2015 at 6 pm ;
• wednesday April 15, 2015 at 2 pm ;
• saturday April 18, 2015 at 10 am.

Registration: musee@mines-paristech.fr

Visit to the mineralogy gallery at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle

• saturday, April 18, 2015 at 10 a.m;
• wednesday April 22, 2015 at 3 pm.

Registration with François Farges: farges@mnhn.fr