| July 2010. Pseudomorphs of quartz after
aragonite from Argentina, another unusual find! The outside crystal form
is that of aragonite, but the original mineral has been completely replaced
by the Jasper variety of chalcedonic quartz! The corresponding write-up
explains exactly how and why this type of replacement occurs in nature in a
special section entitled "The Phenomenon of Mineral Pseudomorphism." You'll
find both the mineral and the write-up quite fascinating! And Platinum-level
member have the opportunity to obtain a piece that has been cut in half and
polished to show off the inner beauty of the jasper and the drusy quartz
lined pockets! Follow this link for details:
Click here for details on Platinum
Membership |
Quartz variety Jasper Pseudomorph after Aragonite, Valle de las Plumas,
Paso de Indio, Chubut Province, Argentina |
|
August 2010 Vesuvianite, Jeffrey Mine, Quebec, Canada. Though the
specimens are much smaller than usual this month, they have exceptionally
lovely color and excellent crystal forms! We first featured vesuvianite from
this classic locality in March 2000, are thrilled to have gotten another
large lot of beautiful pieces! Our write-up explains the unusual metamorphic
origin of vesuvianite and its use as a gemstone, along with the facts and
fiction surrounding asbestos and the rich history of what was once the
worlds largest asbestos mine--the Jeffrey Mine in Canada! |
Vesuvianite, Jeffrey Mine, Quebec, Canada |
  Hematite
after Magnetite, Payśn Volcano, Altiplano de Payśn Matru, Mendoza,
Argentina. Two photos showing two of the habits we have on hand for Club
members! |
September
2010 Hematite after Aragonite, Payśn Volcano, Altiplano de Payśn Matru,
Mendoza, Argentina. Another amazing pseudomorph from Argentina, and one
that has generated tremendous interest in the mineral community! Our
pseudomorphic specimens were collected at an extinct Argentinean volcano.
Our write-up explains their unusual fumarolic origin, the chemical oxidation
of magnetite into hematite, and some of the basics behind the phenomenon of
volcanism. |
| October 2010 The variety of obsidian
known as "Apache Tears," from Arizona. Of course, obsidian is classified as
a natural glass and not as a mineral, but still is of great importance and
value to lovers of Earth's treasures--and quite fascinating in its own way! |
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| PHOTO COMING SOON |
November
2010 Hübnerite from Peru |
| December 2010 Boulder Opal from
Australia. More info coming soon, but your specimen will look like one of
these in the photos to the right! |
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Would you like to start your membership with January 2010's mineral and
include all the minerals we've featured so far this year? Then choose one of
these memberships:
1 Year Gold-Level membership starting with January 2010 for $291.50 (12 months
for the price of 11)
1 Year Silver-Level membership starting with January 2010 for $88 (12 months
for the price of 11)
|
Click here for more information or to join our Club:
Join the Club |
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