Where Geology Meets Technology

Discover the Hidden Gems in Your Phone

Hidden treasures aren’t always found deep underground—sometimes, they’re right in your pocket. The Hidden Gems in Cellphones exhibition at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook, opening October 19 and running through May 2026, reveals the beauty and importance of minerals that power modern technology. Inspired by the Smithsonian Institution’s Cellphone: Unseen Connections, this interactive exhibit connects earth science with everyday life, showing how rare minerals like lepidolite, sulfur, and beryl help make your phone brighter, faster, and more efficient.

“The minerals inside our phones are more than just components—they are treasures of the Earth,” says Executive Director Kyle Brill. “This exhibition will open visitors’ eyes to the hidden beauty and importance of these materials.” Visitors can see stunning mineral specimens, including scheelite, a gift of Washington A. Roebling is on loan from the Smithsonian, while exploring how natural elements shape the technology we depend on.

Lepidolite, sulfur, and beryl—help make your
battery last longer, your screen brighter, and your camera sharper!

Field Trip Assistance

Students on a field trip to the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art view castle.

The Lizzadro Museum is also bringing these lessons beyond its walls through its Field Trip Assistance Grant, designed to make hands-on earth science education accessible to students across northern Illinois. Supported by Wintrust in the Community and a museum board member, the grant covers transportation, admission, and even a souvenir “bag o’ rocks” for each student. Title I schools and schools within the Diocese of Joliet are encouraged to apply. “Our goal is to bring science to life,” says Sara Kurth, Educator and Program Coordinator. “Through interactive tours led by professional geologists, students explore the physical properties of rocks and minerals, learn about Earth’s systems, and discover how humans have shaped natural resources into art.”

From field trips to family visits, the Lizzadro Museum invites everyone to discover the fascinating connection between the natural world and human innovation.