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MINERALS FEATURED IN 2008--still available!
Barite, Stoneham, Weld County, Colorado
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January 2008 For the second month in a row, we featured a
marvelous mineral from a classic American locality! The write-up explains
how the atomic structure of Barite [BaSO4] affects its properties,
highlights areas where fine specimens are found (including Oklahoma's state
rock), details the discovery of both barite and the element barium, and
explains its important technological and medical uses today. The final
section explains the formation of these exceptional barite crystals near
Stoneham, Colorado. This month also includes an article on organizing,
displaying, and sharing a mineral collection. A great month to start! |
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February
2008 We sent lustrous, metallic, silver-colored crystals of
Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) from the new find at Yaogangxian mine, Hunan Province,
China. The write-up explains its unique properties such as triboluminescence,
gives the history of the its discovery in the Yaogangxian mine in China, and
has a special section on the deadly element arsenic. As noted in the
write-up: "While arsenopyrite is toxic because of its arsenic content, it
is chemically stable and does not
constitute a health hazard under normal conditions of storage and display.
Never ingest arsenopyrite particles or inhale arsenopyrite dust, and wash
hands after handing the specimen. Never attempt to heat or crush an
arsenopyrite specimen." |
Arsenopyrite, Yaogangxian Mine,
Yizhang Co.,
Chenzhou Prefecture,
Hunan Province,
China |
Stellerite, Valunj Quarry, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. Gold-Level-size
specimen: about 2" by 3" |
March 2008 We sent beautiful specimens of Stellerite to Club
members. The write-up has a special section on how X-ray diffraction
is used to identify minerals with similar crystal habits and chemical
make-up, such as stellerite and stilbite. This was a fascinating month! |
| April 2008 A mineral we never thought
we'd be able to feature: Silver [Ag]! We obtained an excellent lot of
wire silver from the Huangtongxiang mine, China. These were small
specimens, but of very high quality, excellent examples of the wire crystal
habit of silver, and the write-up explains how they form this way! A special
section focuses on "Silver and Its Single Outer Electron," explaining in
detail how this unique configuration produces silver's outstanding ability
to reflect light and conduct energy, among other fascinating
properties. |
 Silver,
Huangtongxiang Mine, Lujiang County,
Chaohu Prefecture, Anhui Province, China. Gold-Level-size specimen Almost 2"
high, not including stand, which is not included.
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 Adamite,
Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Durango, Mexico. Gold-Level-size specimen
pictured: matrix size about 3.5" by 2.75". |
May 2008
We featured the same marvelous mineral that we did in May 1998--Adamite
[Zn2(AsO4)(OH)] from the Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. Collectors
particularly love adamite for its fluorescence, and we picked out some
incredible pieces! The write-up has a special section on the history and
incredible mineral wealth of the Ojuela mine! |
| June 2008 We featured another
exceptional mineral: Zircon [ZrSiO4] from the Mud Tank Zircon Field,
Harts Ranges, Northern Territory, Australia! Our specimen were mainly single
crystals with root-beer color and rough edges, as seen in the
photo, smaller than what we typically send. The write-up examined
the elements zirconium and hafnium (which all zircon crystals contain),
describes zircon's marvelous gem properties and uses, explains the unique
geologic environment the zircon crystals formed in, and has a special
section
on zircon and cubic zirconium. Also answered is the question: Is zircon the
oldest mineral on Earth? |
 Zircon,
Mud Tank, Harts Ranges, Northern Territory, Australia. Gold-Level-size specimen
in photo: 1.5" by 1.25". |
Stichtite in Serpentinite, Stichtite Hill,
Dundas, Zeehan Dsitrict, Tasmania, Australia
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July 2008
We're always happy to be able to feature a rare mineral in a pretty color!
We featured the rare
mineral Stichtite [Mg6Cr2(CO3)(OH)16∙4H2O] from Tasmania, Australia. The
stichtite forms as sprays and veins of small, purplish-pink microcrystals in a green
serpentinite matrix, a very pretty combination that the miners market as "Atlantasite."
The write-up highlights this rare mineral's unique properties,
explains how the stichtite forms from "ingredients" found in the original
serpentinite rock it comes from, and has a special section on the American
smelting expert Robert Carl Sticht, for whom the mineral is named. We think
you'll find it fascinating! |
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August 2008 Three in a row from Australia! We sent Club members beautiful, large
polished pieces of colorful Mookaite Jasper from the remote outback of
Western Australia. Shades of red and yellow predominated. The write-up
explains how this unusual, striking jasper was formed, and delves into the
important differences between macrocrystalline and microcrystalline (or
cryptocrystalline) quartz.
Gold-level specimens were among the largest we've ever sent,
about 2.5" by 3.5" and larger; Silver-level specimens are also larger than
usual, consisting of a tumble polished stone. |
Mookaite Jasper, Mooka Station, near Gascoyne Junction, Gascoyne
region, Western Australia, Australia |
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September 2008 We sent polished slices of exceptional agate
from Brazil, which was fitting after laying such a good foundation with
August's write-up on chalcedony and jasper, and the fact we last featured
agate (from Argentina) in November 1998. The write-up contains a special
section on "Agate Genesis," explaining in detail the most common theories of
how the beautiful banding occurs. This section also describes agate's other
special features, such as eye patterns, escape tubes, fortification
patterns, and the iris effect. The 10-page write-up is stuffed with
fascinating facts about agate's unique properties! |
Agate,
Soledade District, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil |
Smithsonite, El Refugio Mine, Choix, Sinaloa, Mexico |
October
2008 This was another exceptional month, as we featured Smithsonite
from El Refugio Mine, Choix, Sinaloa, Mexico. This valuable and beautiful
botryoidal material is found in shades of purple, pink, green, and blue.
Most of our specimens are pink or purple, with some blues and greens, as
well. The write-up focused on smithsonite's unusual
properties as determined by its crystal structure, its collecting
localities, its jewelry and decorative uses, its technological uses, and the
history of its discovery and name. Much information is given
describing the geologic conditions under which it formed in the historic Choix (pronounced "cho-EEZ") area of Sinoloa,
Mexico. A special section was devoted to the man in whose honor it was named,
James Smithson, and this section gives his history as it pertains to his
love of minerals and his bequest that led to the formation of the world's
largest museum complex, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. |
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November
2008 Another outstanding month, as we featured lovely specimens of gemmy
green Talc from the
Argonaut Quarry,
Ludlow,
Windsor
County,
Vermont. This was
a month of firsts for us--our first featured mineral from Vermont, where
Talc is the state mineral;
first time we've had an opportunity to obtain enough attractive specimens of
Talc in order to feature it--and with very pretty color indeed; and first
mineral we've featured the minerals that ranks as 1 on the Mohs hardness scale! The write-up
explains the cause of the lovely color comes, the importance of Vermont
Talc in the past, and the origin, history and significance of the Mohs hardness scale. It
makes fascinating reading!
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 Talc,
Argonaut Quarry,
Ludlow,
Windsor
County,
Vermont |
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It's not too late to include these minerals in your
membership--simply order a membership that starts with January 2008,
as seen here: 1 Year Gold-Level Membership starting with January 2008
$291.50 (12 months for the price of 11)
1 Year Silver-Level Membership starting with January 2008 $88.00 (12 months
for the price of 11)
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