2298 Aubertite, Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Pale blue crystalline crust of aubertite. Width of view 9mm. Stack of 50 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
South America
4562 Obradovicite Group, Gypsum, Chuquicamata Mine, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Yellow-green crust of one of the Obradovicite Group species with minor white gypsum. Ex Jim Daly. Width of view 9mm. Stack of 40 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
ncat GLEE Libethenite, La Farola Mine, Cerro Pintado, Las Pintadas mining district, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile
Mid green tufts of prismatic crystals. Width of view 4.5mm. Stack of 100 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
ncat GLEE Libethenite, Brochantite, Los Azules mine, Quebrada San Miguel, Copiapó, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile
Prismatic libethenite crystals with the smaller ones being a transparent light “epidote” green, and the larger ones being a very dark blackish-green. Greenish blue brochantite. Width of view 6mm. Stack of 130 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
6030 Carlosbarbosaite, Jaguaraçu pegmatite, Jaguaraçu, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Type Locality. Curved fibrous pale yellow crystals of carlosbarbosaite. Apparently the discovery was very limited, about 100 specimens, all micros. It has since been reported from another half a dozen localities. Ex Chris Stefano. Width of view 6mm. Stack of 50 images. Click on the image below for a higher...
ncat GLEE Phurcalite, Meta-torbernite, Quartz, Unknown, San Miguel prospect, Los Azules mine, Quebrada San Miguel, Copiapó, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile
Green platy crystals of metatorbernite, yellow phurcalite (fluorescent), colourless crystals (some as sceptres), and a colourless platy crystal (left side of photo and in closeup). The latter is a similar habit to torbernite, but there is no hint of green! Matrix is composed mostly of andradite garnet(?). Width of view...
ncat JLMAR01 JL2378 Chalcomenite, Allophane, Krut’aite, El Dragón mine, Porco Municipality, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia
Blue chalcomenite with yellow balls of allophane on metallic krut’aite. Ex Joan Lamond Collection. Acquired by Joan as part of a Swiss collection in 1997. Width of view 6mm. Stack of 75 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
ncat AA5 Alfredopetrovite, Ahlfeldite, Penroseite, Chalcomenite, Felsőbányaite, El Dragón mine, Porco Municipality, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia
Type Locality for alfredopetrovite. White balls with a greenish-grey tint of alfredopetrovite, minor pink Co-bearing ahlfeldite, minor light blue chalcomenite(?), minor silver penroseite, white patches of felsőbányaite, and thin colourless blades and colourless blocky crystals of unidentified species. Width of view 6mm. Stack of 45 images. Click on the image...
2758 Haiweeite, Los Azules mine, Quebrada San Miguel, Copiapó, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile
Simply labelled Azul Mine. Yellow puffballs and acicular groups.
ncat OS009 Eosphorite, Zanazziite(?), Ilha claim, Taquaral, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil
A spray of orange eosphorite covered by green zanazziite(?). The second photo shows a broken surface where you can see the original eosphorite. Is this then coated by zanazziite giving it a green colour, then overgrown by more eosphorite? Or is it all eosphorite, but just an odd colour? Width...
ncat JP3133 Eosphorite, Roscherite Group, Pyrite, Ilha claim, Taquaral, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Orange prismatic eosphorite crystals. Green crystal aggregates possibly (probably?) zanazziite not roscherite as labelled. Small pyrite crystals also present. Unidentified colourless-white crystal clusters probably albite? Ex Jo Price Collection. Ex Jack Nelson Collection. Width of view 9mm and stack of 56 images (first photo), 4.5mm and 28 images (second photo),...
ncat OS009 Wulfenite, Mimetite, Gonzalito mine, Gonzalito mining district, Sierra Grande, San Antonio Department, Río Negro Province, Argentina
Wulfenite with two different habits on either side of the specimen. On one side, thin tabular crystals and on the other, blocky tapering prismatic double-terminated crystals. Collected by Jack and Marty Crawford in 2005. Width of view 3.5mm. Stack of 42 images. Click on the image below for a higher...
0428 Molybdofornacite, Wulfenite, Chrysocolla, Dulcinea de Llampos Mine, Cachiyuyo de Llampos district, Copiapo Province, Atacama Region, Chile
Three 5mm specimens, mounted side by side, with tiny yellow-green molybdofornacite crystals, orange-yellow wulfenite crystals and chrysocolla. The molybdofornacite from Dulcinea has been identified with semiquantitative and quantitative analysis by Dr. Jochen Schlater (curator of Hamburg Mineral Museum, Germany). Width of view 3.5mm. Stack of 44 images. Click on the...
4040 Crocoite, Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Two crude joined crystals, no matrix. Ex Jim Ferraiolo 6/2005. Specimen is 6mm tall. Stack of 29 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
ncat 221640993 IAB-MG iron Meteorite, Campo del Cielo meteorite, Gancedo, Doce de Octubre Department, Chaco Province, Argentina
“Alien-Shape” meteorite. Longest dimension 9mm. Estimated to have fallen 4,000 to 6,000 years ago. Composition is metallic nickel-iron and a few sulphides, carbides, and phosphides (normal for iron meteorites), and it also contains silicate inclusions. One of the world’s most abundant meteorites, over a hundred tons having been found scattered...
ncat RB Gold, Ecuador
Labelled simply “Plateau Mining Co., Ecuador”, this specimen came from a collection acquired by Richard Bell. Obviously, Plateau Mining Co. isn’t a locality, but a company, so the starting point is simply Ecuador. After a bit of searching, I came across a mining professional, Byron Granda, who at one time...
2548 Senandorite, Quatrandorite, San José Mine, Oruro, Cercado Province, Oruro, Bolivia
Labelled simply as andorite. Donnay and Donnay (1954) stated that nearly all andorite specimens from Oruro are syntaxic intergrowths of two species that they named andorite IV and andorite VI. These have now been redefined as quatrandorite and senandorite respectively. This specimen is therefore likely an intergrowth of the two...
ncat RK Uvite, Svanbergite, Pomba Pit, Brumado, Bahia, Brazil
Green uvite with minor svanbergite. Width of specimen 95mm.
ncat Amethyst, Artigas, Uruguay
A fairly large (for me) amethyst specimen with a couple of yellowish calcite crystals from Artigas, Uruguay. The specimen measures about 185mm wide.
3913 Gold, Goethite, Dorlin, Maripasoula, Arrondissement of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana, France
Small patches of gold associated with altered pyrite. Labelled Inini. Ex Cedrick Gineste 2/2005. Width of view 5.75mm. Stack of 20 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
3915 Gold, Dorlin, Maripasoula, Arrondissement of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana, France
Small patches of gold in quartz. Labelled Inini. Ex Cedrick Gineste 2/2005. Width of view 5.75mm. Stack of 52 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
3914 Gold, Goethite, Dorlin, Maripasoula, Arrondissement of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana, France
Small patches of gold associated with altered pyrite. Labelled Inini. Ex Cederick Gineste 2/2005. Width of view 8.63mm. Stack of 40 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
5411 Zanazziite, Apatite, Jenipapo district, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Greenish radial sprays of zanazziite with brown prisms of apatite? Width of view 5.75mm. Stack of 50 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
1066 Helvite, Pyrite, Navegadora Mine (Navegador Mine; Orozimbo Mine), Penha do Norte, Conselheiro Pena, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Triangular brown helvite crystals with associated pyrite, previously in the Brian Shelton collection. Acquired from Cyril Kovac at the 2013 Waverley Show. Width of view 11.5mm. Stack of 40 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
ncat 2RG Beryl var Emerald, Muzo Mine, Muzo Municipality, Western Boyacá Province, Boyacá Department, Colombia
A Trapiche emerald, one of a number of isolated pieces, this one showing six emeralds emanating from an emerald core. The specimen pictured measures about 4.3mm across. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
7081 JL0040 Chalcophyllite, Teniente Mine, El Teniente, Rancagua, Cachapoal Province, O’Higgins, Chile
Ex Joan Lamond Collection. Acquired by Joan from Melbourne Museum in 1983. Width of view 5mm. Stack of 55 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
4429 Rutile, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ex Dragon Minerals. One of a number of small reticulated rutile specimens. Width of view 19mm. Stack of 150 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
ncat RL Joteite, Jote Mine, Pampa Larga mining district, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile
Type Locality. Tiny pale blue crystals. Width of view 5mm. Stack of 61 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
4573 Sampleite, Atacamite, Santa Catalina Mine, Sierra Gorda, Chile
A beautiful cluster of blue sampleite crystals with a dark green atacamite crystal behind. Ex Bob Rothenberg. Ex Terry Scenics. Width of view 3.5mm. Stack of 50 images. Click on the image below for a higher resolution version.
7390 JL4983 Sigloite, Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo, Potosí, Bolivia
Type Locality. Ex Joan Lamond Collection.
7313 JL3687 Metavauxite, Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo, Potosí, Bolivia
Type Locality. Ex Joan Lamond Collection.
1388 Rhodochrosite, Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina
Pale pink crystals. Width 18.5mm. Stack of 160 images. Acquired from Ian Graham in 1993.
1389 Rhodochrosite, Pyrite, Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina
Pale pink section of a stalactite. Interesting that there is pyrite on the outer edges. Width 18.5mm. Stack of 130 images. Acquired from Roger Webb at the Salamanca Market, Hobart, in 1993.
1097 Barite, Cerro Warihuyn (Huarihuyn), Miraflores, Huamalies Province, Peru
Aesthetic yellow crystal cluster. Acquired at the 2013 Bendigo Show. Video best viewed full screen.
30090 Cassiterite, Viloco Mine (Araca Mine), Loayza Province, La Paz, Bolivia
Heavy specimen. Most of the matrix is cassiterite too. Video best viewed full screen.
30069 Paravauxite, Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo, Potosí, Bolivia
Ex Barry Johnson Collection. Type Locality.
20047 Calcite, Quartz, Pachapaqui mining district, Bolognesi Province, Áncash, Peru
White spiky balls of calcite on quartz. Fluorescent pink.
20046 Sphalerite, Casapalca Mine, Casapalca, Huarochiri Province, Lima, Peru
Single twinned crystal on matrix. Ex Brian Shelton Collection. Video best viewed full screen.
20045 Realgar, Orpiment, Quartz, Pyrite, Palomo Mine, Castrovirreyna Province, Huancavelica, Peru
Red realgar crystal altering to yellow orpiment on a nest of quartz crystals with a dusting of pyrite.
20042 Alabandite, Uchucchacua Mine, Oyon Province, Lima, Peru
Sharp octahedral grey crystals of alabandite in a matrix of fluorite and calcite, both of which fluoresce (blue and pink respectively). [private role=”administrator”]US$14.99[/private]
7420 JL1857 Kröhnkite, Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Type Locality. Acquired by Joan Lamond in 1996 from Jack Leach for $3.00. Ex Jack Nelson Collection. Width of view 11mm. Stack of 14 images.
ncat JP3132 Beryl var Emerald, Chivor Mine, Mun. de Chivor, Guavio-Guateque mining district, Boyaca Department, Colombia
Trapiche. Ex Jack Nelson Collection
5576 Florencite-(Ce), Microcline, Papachacra Pegmatites, Papachacra, Belen Department, Catamarca, Argentina
Orange-red crystals on cream feldspar crystal, Peter Hall
4679 Aquamarine, Padre Paraiso, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Mint-green etched “bullet” crystal, Hobart Show 2017
30038 Coquimbite, Copiapite, Alunogen, Javier Mine, Lucanas Province, Ayacucho Department, Peru
Superb lilac hexagonal crystals of coquimbite to 9mm long. Micro yellow copiapite and colourless alunogen. From a find in 2009.
20005 Hematite, Ascension Island, Saint Helena (an island in the Southern Atlantic ocean, administered by the United Kingdom)
Group of hematite crystals. 33x28x21mm. Ex Eugene Carmichael (3002). Ex George English (North Carolina label). Number on label matches specimen.
10004 Beryl, Urucum mine (Tim mine; Corrego do Urucum pegmatite), Galileia, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Highly etched morganite crystal with superb lustre creating many reflective facets dispersing the light in all directions. Slightly pinkish under artificial light but colourless, maybe even tinged with blue under daylight.
20018 Gold, Ferberite, Julcani District, Angaraes Province, Huancavelica Department, Peru
Small amount of gold with wolframite.
20017 Gold, Stannite, Quartz, Oruro City, Cercado Province, Oruro Department, Bolivia
Many patches of gold in crystaline quartz with a few stannite crystals.
4608 Childrenite, Linapolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Single orange crystal, no matrix. Ex Dave Shannon.
4078 Ushkovite, Boa Vista Mine, Galileia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Jim Ferraiolo 6/2005
4050 Jahnsite-(CaMnFe), Sapucaia Mine, Galileia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Jim Ferraiolo 6/2005
4044 Faheyite, Sapucaia Mine, Galileia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Jim Ferraiolo 6/2005
4041 Cuprocopiapite, Sierro Gordo, Antofagasta Province, Chile
Jim Ferraiolo 6/2005
4014 Penfieldite, Boleite, Margarite Mine, Sierra Gorda, Chile
Robert Kurcbart 4/2005
2875 Matioliite, Gentil claim, Mendes Pimentel, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Type Locality. Tiny pale blue patch.
2848 Gold, Chrysocolla, Manto Tres Gracias Mine, Diego de Almagro, El Salado, Chanaral Province, Atacama Region, Chile
Two pieces. Bright gold on deep blue chrysocolla.