Minerals from Different Locations

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M413b  Here is an interesting Calcite and Pyrite specimen.  It measures 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 2 1/2 with a soft frosted appearance that has a sprinkling of shiny, sparkly Pyrite.  The Calcite has an unique step like appearance that escalates upward.  This mineral group is from Morocco.

Pyrite, or Iron Pyrite, is an Iron sulfide with isometric Crystals that usually appear as cubes.  It is brittle and can break or powder easily.  Its metallic luster and brass yellow hue have earned it the nickname of "fool's gold" due to many miners mistaken it for the real thing.  Ironically, small quantities of actual gold are sometimes found in Pyrite.  It is the most common of the sulfide minerals and is usually found with other sulfides or oxides in Quartz veins, sedimentary or metamorphic rocks. 

Calcite is a Carbonate mineral that is most widely distributed on the Earth's surface.  It is a common constituent of sedimentary rocks with Limestone in particular.  A Calcite formation can take on many different shapes and sizes which is dependent on the location, ground water occurrence and temperature.  Calcite is usually white or colorless but can be gray, red, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown or black.  The deeper the color is usually indicative of the definitive impurities from the earth or water.

Calcite-Pyrite

M414c  Here is an interesting mineral combination from China.  This is a very nicely detailed Hematite and Crystal Quartz specimen.  It measures 2 3/4" x 2" x 1 1/2" and has a natural finish.  This specimen has petal-like design with several very nice Crystal points.

Hematite is a mineral form of Iron oxide.  It is a very common material that has a black to steel grey to silver grey color and may also appear reddish brown.  Hematite is a heavy metal mineral.  When it is polished it is consider to many to be of gemstone quality.  It is very popular in jewelry and Native American art.

Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust.  It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.  Although Quartz is known by a variety of names, the most important distinction between types of Quartz is that of macro-crystalline, individual crystals visible to the unaided eye, and micro-crystalline, where aggregates of crystals are only visible under high magnification.  There are many forms of Quartz including Chalcedony, Amethyst, Citrine, and Carnelian which are results of mineral impurities or heat treatments.

Quartz-Hematite

M415b  Here is something different for the mineral collector.  This is a section of a larger Druzy Crystal Quartz Geode from Morocco.  This specimen measures 5" x 2" x 1 3/4" and has a nice sparkly appearance.

Geodes are geological rock formations which occur in sedimentary and certain volcanic rocks.  They are essentially rock cavities or vugs with internal Crystal formations or concentric banding.  The exterior is generally Limestone while the interior contains Quartz Crystals and/or Chalcedony deposits.  If the Geode is completely filled with Crystal, being solid all the way through, it is then called a nodule.

Quartz Geode

M416c  This is an interesting mineral combination!  Here is an Apophyllite-Stilbite mix. This fantastic mineral measures 6 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" and has a super sparkly appearance.  The darker Purple color shown throughout the mineral is what we believe to be Hematite Rutiles which are actually a Reddish color.  Whatever the case may be, it is a great way to begin your mineral collection with a smaller collection all in one!!

Stilbite is another Silicate mineral from the Zeolite family.  It is often characterized by its sheaf like aggregates.  The color is usually white and when the cleavage is perfect, will have a distinct pearly luster.

Apophyllite, also a Zeolite, is Silicate mineral with very well defined clear Crystals and is very popular as a collector's mineral.  The Crystal structure will refract like in obvious rainbows and can form "natural pyramids" when tumbled.

Stilbite-Apophyllite

M402b  This is a larger, light Lavender Amethyst Cactus Quartz Crystal cluster.  It measures 4" x 3" x 3" and has some of the most beautiful crystals I have ever seen.  This specimen is from the Magaliesberg Mountains west of Pretoria, South Africa.  A true beauty.

These Crystals are often slender Crystal cores with Amethyst tips and are coated with orange Hematite stained mini Crystals giving the bristly, cactus appearance.  Sometimes they may have a druzy veil in lavender or yellow or white.  Each in unique in their own right and can not be duplicated.

Cactus Quartz

Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust.  It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.  Although Quartz is known by a variety of names, the most important distinction between types of Quartz is that of macro-crystalline, individual crystals visible to the unaided eye, and micro-crystalline, where aggregates of crystals are only visible under high magnification.  There are many forms of Quartz including Chalcedony, Amethyst, Citrine, and Carnelian which are results of mineral impurities or heat treatments.

Crystal Quartz

Sphalerite is a mineral that is the chief ore of Zinc.  It consists mainly of Zinc Sulfide in crystalline form but almost always contains valuable Iron.  When the Iron content is high, it is an opaque black variety called Marmatite.  It is usually found in association with Galena, Pyrite, Calcite, Dolomite and Fluorite.  It is usually yellow, brown or gray to gray-black in color and may have a shiny or dull luster or sheen.

Sphalerite

M404b   Here is something different for the mineral collector.  This is a smaller, rarer specimen of Bismuth.  It measures 1" x 3/4" x 1".  It has a shiny, metallic Silver color and a very unique shape.  Use it for display or wire wrap it for jewelry.

Bismuth is a native element.  Peru is one of the world's major sources.  Native crystals are extremely rare.  These crystals are grown in laboratories in the United States.  Bismuth is scarce as Silver, heavier than lead and is classified as a semi-precious semi-metal.  It is non-toxic to humans.  It is used in medicine and cosmetics, applications in inks, paints, free-machining steels and fire sprinklers.

Bismuth

M411c  Here is a larger, very nice specimen of Blue-Green Fluorite with a Purple core from Namibia, South Africa.  This a nice quality mineral measuring 2 1/2" x 1 5/8" x 2" and has a rough, natural texture with sparkly iridescence.  Although the photo shows the specimen as a dark Grey-Purple color, the true mineral color is not that dark.  The actual color is a light Blue with a hint of Purple on the tips and edges of the Fluorite.  To see is to believe!

Fluorite, also referred to as fluor-spar, is a mineral composed of Calcium Fluoride.  It is a widely occurring mineral found world wide and is often found with metallic minerals such as Galena, Sphalerite, Barite, Quartz and Calcite.  Fluorite may fluoresce strongly in ultraviolet light which may be due to the presence of some impurities such as Yttrium.  Blue is the most common color but red, purple, green, yellow and white are also frequent.  It can be used in high performance telescopes, camera lens, enamels and in the making of opalescent glass.

Fluorite

Calcite is a Carbonate mineral that is most widely distributed on the Earth's surface.  It is a common constituent of sedimentary rocks with Limestone in particular.  A Calcite formation can take on many different shapes and sizes which is dependent on the location, ground water occurrence and temperature.  Calcite is usually white or colorless but can be gray, red, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown or black.  The deeper the color is usually indicative of the definitive impurities from the earth or water.

Dog Tooth Calcite

Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust.  It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.  Although Quartz is known by a variety of names, the most important distinction between types of Quartz is that of macro-crystalline, individual crystals visible to the unaided eye, and micro-crystalline, where aggregates of crystals are only visible under high magnification.  There are many forms of Quartz including Chalcedony, Amethyst, Citrine, and Carnelian which are results of mineral impurities or heat treatments.

Crystal Quartz

M403c  This is a larger, beautiful piece of Blue Kyanite from Brazil. This is a nice specimen measuring 6" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" and has a very pretty shaded Blue color.  This specimen has White Quartz and Grey Mica embedded in the Blue Kyanite making a wonderful mix of color and shine.

Another photo.

Kyanite is a typically blue Silicate mineral that is commonly found in Aluminum rich metamorphic pegmatites and/or sedimentary rock.  It is used primarily in refractory and ceramic products including porcelain plumbing fixtures and dinnerware.  It is also used in electrical insulators and abrasives.  It is definitely a collector's mineral.

Kyanite-Quartz-Mica

M408b  Here is a very nice specimen of natural Copper from Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan. This nugget was rescued after a short time in a grinding mill.  This one measures 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" x 3/4" and has a very nice shiny finish.

Copper is a reddish colored metal with a high electrical and thermal conductivity.  It has its characteristic color because it reflects red and orange light and absorbs other frequencies in the visible spectrum due to its band structure.  It is in the same family as Silver and Gold and is a malleable metal.  It is beautiful natural or polished.

Copper Nugget

M410b   This is a very nice, very unusual piece of Crystal Quartz from Brazil.  The Crystal cluster measures 5" x 1 1/4" x 3 1/4".  Close observation will reveal a larger Crystal in the center of the cluster penetrated by a small Crystal.  What makes this so unique is that you can actually see the tip of the small Crystal inside the larger Crystal.  Neither show any signs of damage.  There are also several other larger full Crystals throughout the cluster.  A super addition to any Crystal collection.

Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust.  It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.  Although Quartz is known by a variety of names, the most important distinction between types of Quartz is that of macro-crystalline, individual crystals visible to the unaided eye, and micro-crystalline, where aggregates of crystals are only visible under high magnification.  There are many forms of Quartz including Chalcedony, Amethyst, Citrine, and Carnelian which are results of mineral impurities or heat treatments.

Crystal Quartz

M400c   Here is a very nice piece of light pink Rhodocrosite from the Santa Rita Mine in Peru.  It measures 3 3/4" x 2 7/8" x 2" and has a great mix of minerals including Galena, Pyrite and Sphalerite. 

Rhodocrosite is a Manganese carbonate mineral.  In its pure, very rare form it is typically a rose-red color but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown. Rhodocrosite occurs as a hydrothermal vein mineral and can be found with Silver.

 Rhodocrosite-Galena-Pyrite-Sphalerite

Pyrite, or Iron Pyrite, is an Iron sulfide with isometric Crystals that usually appear as cubes.  It is brittle and can break or powder easily.  Its metallic luster and brass yellow hue have earned it the nickname of "fool's gold" due to many miners mistaken it for the real thing.  Ironically, small quantities of actual gold are sometimes found in Pyrite.  It is the most common of the sulfide minerals and is usually found with other sulfides or oxides in Quartz veins, sedimentary or metamorphic rocks. 

Pyrite

Rhodocrosite is a Manganese Carbonate mineral.  It is typically a rose-red color, but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown.  It is used as a key component of low-cost stainless steel and certain Aluminum alloys.  Quality banded specimens are often used for decorative stones and jewelry, although it is relatively soft and difficult to cut.

Rhodocrosite

Mica is from the group of sheet Silicate minerals that includes several closely related materials that have high perfect basal cleavage.  It is widely distributed and occurs in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary regimes.  Large Crystals of Mica are used for various applications and are typically mined from Granitic Pegmatites.  It is used in radio capacitors, insulators, conductors and because of its resistance to heat, it is used instead of glass for windows in stoves and kerosene heaters.  It is also used in some toothpastes because it acts as a mild abrasive for polishing and adds cosmetically pleasing glittery shimmer to the paste.

Tourmaline-Mica-Quartz-Feldspar