January 2001
We featured attractive specimens of Dolomite, named in 1791 for French
geologist Deodat Guy Silvain Tanerede Gratet de Dolomieu.
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February 2001
Since the
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show theme was "Russian Minerals and Gem
Art," we featured one of Russia's most exquisite minerals, the
green garnet called Uvarovite. Don't miss out on this beauty!
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March 2001
Another special month as we featured fine crystals of Imperial Topaz [Al2SiO4(F,OH)2]
from near Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The write-up examined the
history of this gorgeous gem mineral, the incredible size of some topaz
crystals that have been found in the past, and the common treatments used
on gem topaz today.
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April 2001
Featured the mineral smithsonite [ZnCO3]
from the San Antonio Mine, Santa Eulalia District, Chihuahua, Mexico.
These are the very attractive green specimens
that were discovered on the eighth level of the mine early last year. Club
members were delighted!
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May 2001
Exceptionally lovely specimens of gypsum
[CaSO4CH2O] from Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada. These are clusters of very
attractive yellow crystals radiating out from a central core. Club members
really appreciated the beauty of these specimens!
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June
2001
Club members received a very nice trona [Na3(CO3)(HCO3)CH2O]
specimen from the exciting new find at Owens Lake, Inyo County,
California. These are the best, largest trona specimens ever
found, and were being offered by dealers at very high prices at the recent
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show!
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July 2001
Back to Russia we went for a nice batch of shiny, metallic
blades of Astrophyllite [(K,Na)3(Fe2+,Mn)7Ti2Si8O24(O,OH)]
from the prolific Kola Peninsula, where our May 2000 staurolites were
found. The write-up gave the history of this mineral-rich peninsula.
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August 2001
Each
year, about forty new minerals are recognized by the International
Mineralogical Association (IMA.) One newly accepted mineral is Hubeite
[Ca2Mn2+Fe3+Si4O12(OH)(H2O)], named after the province in China where it was discovered. It was found in
association with lovely fine pink needle-shaped crystals of Inesite
[Ca2Mn2+7Si10O28(OH)2•5H2O].
We are delighted to say we made arrangements to obtain a sufficient
quantity of these specimens so we could feature Inesite in the Club
in August 2001, and as a bonus, each piece contained the newly
discovered Hubeite mineral as well!
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September
2001
We sent Club members lovely specimens of dioptase from Kazakhstan,
of which one mineral writer said: "Dioptase . . . is one of the most
beautiful of all minerals, its rich emerald-green color lighting up any
collection. Groups of its crystals from Russia were formerly so rare as to
be distinguishing marks of the highest grade of mineral collection; now
they are seen in many collections of lesser rank."– George Letchworth English, Getting Acquainted with Minerals, 1934
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October 2001
A special month as we featured one of the most extraordinary finds of the
last few years: Ocean Jasper from Madagascar, discovered in a
remote location along the northwest shore in 1999. The write-up explained
its brief history and rediscovery and included our "Quartz
Varieties Chart," a handy reference to the colors and their causes in
quartz. It explains the difference between agate, onxy, sard, and
carnelian!
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November 2001
An outstanding month as we featured Vanadinite, from
the famous ACF mine, Morocco. Our pieces are from a new strike made in June
2000 and are "as vividly orange-red and lustrous as vanadinite
gets," to quote the Mineralogical Record (January/February 2001
What's New in Minerals- Denver Show.) Extraordinary!
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December 2001
One of the best
benefits of the Club is that because of obtaining a quantity of each
featured mineral, we are often able to send Club members a specimen that
normally sells for much more than it costs through the Club.
was proof of this as we sent Club members a beautiful, undamaged piece
of the mysterious green tektite from the Czech Republic called Moldavite. Club members
also received a detailed write-up that explain
the latest understanding of how these form!
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