Minerals from Different Locations

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M400c   This is something different for the mineral collector.  Here is an above average quality specimen of Sphalerite.  The unusual mineral measures 4 5/8" x 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" and has an unusual shape with a very shiny appearance.

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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

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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-Quartz

M402b  Here's an amazing new item, a nice sized piece of Rhodenite from Colorado. This lovely piece measures 3 5/8" x  3" x  1 3/4" and has been cut and polished polished right here in our Lapidary Department.  A true beauty indeed!

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Rhodenite is a Manganese Silicate material that is commonly a rose-red color. Rough unpolished specimens have a tendency to turn brown due to surface oxidation. It is often worked as an ornamental stone as true Crystals are rare to find.

Rhodenite

M403b  This is a beautiful specimen of Blue Fluorite in matrix from an unknown location.  This outstanding specimen has the Blue Fluorite measures over 4 1/4" long x 3 3/4" x over 1" all on the creamy white and grayish matrix.  Just a fabulous and unusual combination specimen that makes an extraordinary addition to your collection.

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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.

Blue Fluorite

M404b  Here is something different for the mineral collector.  This is a very unique and rare specimen of multi-colored Bismuth.  The interesting specimen measures 2 3/4" x 2" x 1 5/8".  It has a colorful, shiny appearance and a lots of unique character.  A very cool mineral.

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Bismuth is a native element but native crystals are extremely rare. Peru is one of the world's major sources. 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

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Crystals of Sulfur are usually yellow to yellowish-brown blocky dipyramids. Also it is found more typically as powdery yellow coatings. Native Sulphur is usually formed from volcanic action - as a sublimate from volcanic gasses associated with Realgar, cinnabar and other minerals. It is  found in some vein deposits as an alteration product of sulfide minerals.

Sulfur

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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

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Gibbsite is one of the mineral forms of aluminum hydroxide and also sometimes called hydrargillite.  Gibbsite is an important ore of Aluminum in that it is one of three main phases that make up the rock Bauxite.  Gibbsite is a secondary mineral mainly of tropical and subtropical occurence.  Named by John Torrey in 1822 in honor of Colonel George Gibbs, a wealthy import merchant who was a geologist and mineralogist.  Notable occurrences include Brazil, Central Africa, Germany, Hungary, France, Guyana and USA (mainly Alaska).

Gibbsite

M408b  Here is something different for the mineral collector.  This is an extremely nice, well formed Creedite crystal cluster cluster floater from Chihuahua, Mexico.  This rarer mineral has an interesting acicular radiating spray of fine Burnt Orange prisms and lots of character.  It measures 2 7/8" x  1 7/8" x 1 3/4" and has a natural texture and finish.   Very, very nice!

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Creedite is a rare hydroxylhalide mineral that formed from the oxidation of fluorite ore deposits.  It ranges in color from colorless, white, violet to orange.  Creedite gets it's name from Creede Quadrangle Colorado where it was first found 1916.  It was later also found in Nevada, California and Chihuahua, Mexico.  Other world locations are in Eastern Europe in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

Creedite

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Wulfenite is a lead molybdate mineral named for an Austrian mineralogist. It is most often found as stubby, pryamidal or tabular crystals in a bright orange-red to yellow-orange color. It is found in many locations, associated with lead ores as a secondary mineral and often found Cerussite, Smithsonite, Hemimorphite, Vanadinite, Mimetite and other minerals. Among the more notable locations for finding Wulfenite are Pennsylvania, Arizona and Mexico.

Wulfenite

M410b  This is a new item and a very nice piece of Eudialyte from Russia.  It has vibrant Pink colors accented by some Black and White. The black material is Tourmaline and the white material either calcite or quartz. It has been ground flat on the one side. The colorful and "sparkly" specimen measures 1 7/8" x 1 3/4" x  1".  This unique specimen makes an excellent display of rare mineral or a wonderful addition to your collection.  

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Eudialyte, also spelled Eudialite,  is a complex material  consisting chiefly of the silicates of iron, zirconium, and lime. Some samples of Eudialyte have been found to have up to 46 different elements.  The zirconium has many uses from the production of synthetic fibers, in construction materials for aircraft and space vehicles and in the manufacture of super-hard alloys.  Eudialyte is found in Arkansas, Greenland, Russia, Norway, Canada and Madagascar.

Eudialyte

M411b   Here is a different item, a very nice Calcite-Chalcopyrite specimen from the Homestake Mine in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This unique piece has a neat Calcite Crystal in a matrix covered by Chalcopyrite. It measures 3 1/4" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/8. You won't want to miss this one-of-a-kind item so grab it quick!

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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.

Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide mineral that crystallizes in the tetragonal system. Chalcopyrite has a brassy to golden yellow color, which often resembles Gold. However, its physical properties such as streak and tenacity are very different from Gold and can easily distinguish it. Chalcopyrite is a beautiful mineral, with good crystals being fairly common. Chalcopyrite is rarely found in association with native copper.

The Homestake Mine was a deep underground gold mine in Lead, South Dakota (Northern Black Hills). Until the mine was closed in 2002. It was the deepest and largest gold mine in North America. The mine produced more than 40 million troy ounces of gold during it's operation.

SD Calcite-Chalcopyrite

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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.

Stibnite, also known as Antimonite, is a Sulfide mineral that forms grey Crystals. It is the most important source for the rare Metalloid Antimony. It is used in the manufacture of fireworks, batteries, safety matches and mascara.

Apophyllite

M413c  Here is a gorgeous combination specimen of Azurite and Malachite on matrix from Morocco.   This lovely mineral specimen has beautiful Azurite colors of Dark Blue accented by various greens of Malachite in different places.  It measures 1 7/8" x 1 1/2" x  3/4" with a natural texture and finish.   Azurite can be difficult to photograph and the pictures don't do this awesome specimen justice!

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Azurite is a mineral belonging to the Carbonate group of minerals.  It is commonly found with Malachite, Goethite and Calcite.  It is typically associated with Copper deposits including Limestone which is the source of the Carbonate.

Malachite is a Copper Carbonate mineral that often forms botryoidal, fibrous or stalagmitic masses.  It is often the result of the weathering of Copper Ores and is commonly found with Azurite, Goethite and Calcite.  It is typically associated with Copper deposits including Limestone which is the source of the Carbonate.  Malachite is found in many regions world wide and is usually shaded green in color.

Azurite Malachite

M414c  Here is an interesting and rare mineral.  This is a good sized, very nicely detailed Libyan Desert Glass specimen.  This compelling specimen has an unique design with the pale Creamy Yellow color accented by an unique shape.  It measures 1 3/4" x 1 1/2" x  7/8"  and has a natural finish.  Very nice.

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Glass is a hard brittle substance, typically transparent or translucent, made by fusing sand with soda, lime and sometimes other ingredients and cooling rapidly. Libyan desert glass or great sand sea glass is a substance found in areas in the Libyan Desert. Fragments of desert glass can be found over large areas, up to tens of kilometers. The Libyan desert glass has been dated as having formed about 26 million years ago. It was knapped and used to make tools during the Pleistocene. Today's glass is used to make windows, drinking containers and many other articles.

Libyan Desert Glass

M415b  This is a very different and pretty specimen of a gorgeous vibrant Blue Cavansite Crystal on matrix. This unique and rare specimen measures 1 5/8" x 1 1/4" x  3/4" and would be a good addition to any collection. This material is from Pune, India.  Very nice.

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Cavansite is a deep blue hydrous calcium vanadium phyllosilicate mineral, occurring as a secondary mineral in variety of zeolite minerals. 

Cavansite

M416b  Here is a very nice Barite specimen from Peru.  This interesting specimen measures 1 1/4" x 3/4" x  3/4" and has nice sparkle, good clarity and great appearance.   The specimen is mounted in a plastic display box that measures 1 1/4" square x 1 3/8" tall.  Very nice.

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Barite or Baryte is a mineral consisting of Barium sulfate and is generally white or colorless. The baryte group consists of baryte, celestine, anglesite and anhydrite. Baryte commonly occurs in lead-zinc veins in limestones, in hot spring deposits, and with hematite ore. It is used in the manufacture of paints and paper. Although Barite contains a 'heavy' metal, Barium, it is not considered to be a toxic chemical because of its extreme insolubility.

Barite

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Lapis is a stone with a long tradition of being considered a gem.  It is usually deep blue in color and is opaque.  It is a rock and not a mineral as it is made up from various other minerals.  The main component is Lazurite which is a Feldspar Silicate.  Lapis may also contain Calcite, Sodalite and Pyrite.  It is found worldwide.

Lapis

M418b  Here is a very pretty Stilbite  and Apophyllite specimen.  It has a super appearance with the awesome sugar white Apophyllite at the base with the beautiful cream colored Stilbite protruding from it.  This amazing mineral measures 2 5/8" x 2" x 1 3/8" and is from Nasik, India. A great way to begin your mineral collection!!

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

Apophyllite, 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

M419b  This is a very different and pretty specimen of a rare Zincite crystal.  The synthetic crystal is a darker greenish color and is 2 5/8" long x 1/4" in diameter at it's base  and would be a unique addition to any collection.  

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Natural Zincite is rare and found only in few location in the world other than the famous zinc and manganese mines of Sterling Hill and Franklin, New Jersey.  Synthetic Zincite crystals were formed by accident in a zinc manufacturing facility in Poland and now are grown artificially as a by-product of zinc smelting.  The crystals can be colorless or range from dark red, orange or yellow to light green.  

Zincite

M420c  Here is a very nice, above average quality Rubellite or Pink Tourmaline specimen from Brazil. The interesting specimen measures 3 5/8" x 1 5/8" x 1 3/8" and has a natural unique appearance. It has a natural sparkly appearance and many deep Pink colored crystals in an unique pattern.  Very nice!

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Rubellite is a particularly beautiful and colorful gemstone from Tourmaline family. The Tourmaline mineral group is chemically one of the most complicated groups of Silicate minerals.  Its composition varies widely with Sodium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Lithium, Aluminum, Boron and other elements.  It has a wide variety of colors including black, blue-black, brown, yellow, red, green, pink and is rarely colorless.  This mineral is found in igneous rocks, like Granite Pegmatite, and metamorphic rocks such as Schist and Marble.

Rubellite

M421c  Here's a great new item, an excellent piece of Tourmaline from Madagascar. This fabulous piece measures 2 7/8" x 2" x 1 1/2" and has not been polished but is in it's natural "shinny" state. A really great find!

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The Tourmaline mineral group is chemically one of the most complicated groups of Silicate minerals.  Its composition varies widely with Sodium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Lithium, Aluminum, Boron and other elements.  It has a wide variety of colors including black, blue-black, brown, yellow, red, green, pink and is rarely colorless.  This mineral is found in igneous rocks, like Granite Pegmatite, and metamorphic rocks such as Schist and Marble.

Tourmaline

M422c  Here is a very nice, above average quality Rutilated Quartz Crystal. The interesting specimen measures 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 2 3/4" and has a natural unique appearance. It has fabulous clarity and loaded with Rutiles. Very nice!

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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.

Rutile is a mineral composed primarily of Titanium Dioxide. Rutile has among the highest refractive indices of any known mineral and also exhibits high dispersion. Rutile is known to contain up to 10% Iron as well as significant amounts of Niobium and Tantalum. Rutile creates small needles within crystals that can be seen when held up to light.

Rutilated Quartz Crystal