Cellphones are everywhere! According to Pew Research, 98% of U.S. adults own a cellphone, with 91% of those being smartphones. Our relationship with our phones is complex, but did you know that this relationship connects us to our planet as well? Cellphones are made up of nearly 60 different elements derived from minerals. Some of those minerals are common and familiar to us, like quartz, while others are only found in a few places around the world, like Bastnäsite, a rare-earth fluorocarbonate mineral.

The process of creating a cellphone is full of challenges. From locating and extracting the minerals, to refining them into useable materials, and finally designing and distributing a product that meets consumer demand, the journey is far from simple. These devices represent thousands of hours and efforts by millions of people, all to provide us endless entertainment and connectivity.

Through our Smithsonian Institution Affiliation, the Lizzadro Museum has created a program to explore the connection between minerals and cellphones. In partnership with SCARCE, this program will take place on Saturday June 7, 2025. It will explore the natural resources in cellphones, and how we can become more aware of our use of natural resources. Sign up for this program here. This fall, the Museum will unveil a new special exhibit featuring the minerals that make up our cellphones.