The geology department has a new bench-top, Rigaku Mini-Flex II x-ray diffractometer. At a fraction of the size of the model it replaces, it is an unparalleled resource for teaching and research in crystallography and the identification of unknown materials. Typical applications include phase identification, quantitative analysis, and the determination of crystalline structures. Equipped with a six sample changer, low background sample holder, and peak matching software it is capable of analyzing a few milligrams of powder from unknowns. Currently it is being used to determine the mineralogy of shales throughout geologic time and identify unknown minerals from throughout St. Lawrence County and beyond.