Inclusions in crystals provide valuable information to mineralogists, gemologists and geologists. In addition to offering vital data on the temperature and pressure at which the host crystal was formed, and serve as a chemical time capsule preserving a microscopic sample of the environment in which the crystal grew. Inclusions can provide a valuable clue to the identity of gemstones.Isaac Lea circa 1885Click for larger imageBetween 1869 and 1877,..

In 1908, Louis Pope Gratacap published one of the earliest articles on the techniques of mineral photography. Although somewhat simplistic by today‘s standards, it is interesting (and somewhat comforting)to note that Gratacap and other photographers fought against “burned out“ highlights on crystals surfaces.Gratacap had joined the staff of New York City‘s American Museum of Natural History as assistant curator of mineralogy in 1876, immediat..

Everything you always wanted to know, and need to know about amethyst.© Rock Currier June 1997Amethyst, its name, some history, and why it has its beautiful color?The name amethyst comes from the Greek “α-μεθηστos” which means “not drunk”. Roman emperors had cups/goblets made form amethyst in the belief that the cup would counteract any poison and keep them from getting drunk. The ..

IntroductionDigital photography is a very powerfull tool to document a large number of collectible objects like mineral specimens.Documenting a complete collection with several thousand specimens was in the times of analog photography a expensive project, mostly because of cost of color slides and prints, but also frustrating because of the low speed of the procedure.Now in 2008 the digital photography provides tools to produce pictures of minera..

A lot of rockhounds and enthusiasts clearly appreciate the hazards of handling radioactive specimens well enough, but there may be some who investigate properly only after they‘ve started collecting, and understandably (although needlessly) get a bit concerned. My intention with this short discussion is to highlight some key issues, and hopefully to encourage people to read up on the topic and inform themselves.Everything is radioactive to some ..

When I started this project, I thought it would take up about 4-5 A4 pages, well as I write this it is currently up to 21 pages, (single spaced, Times New Roman, Size 12!).And it will obviously become larger yet, but this is not an issue. I am enjoying putting this together and hope that you will all use it to some degree, whether it is finding a term you were unfamiliar with, or maybe putting forward a suggestion for an addition!I welcome and en..

Public transportation to Miyake arrives in the rain.Accomodations on board.Miyake-jima, an 8 km (5 miles) diameter active volcanic island located in the Pacific Ocean about 200 km south of Tokyo, is considered to betheclassic locality foranorthitefeldspar crystals of almost end-member composition (generally 96 to 97% Ca-plagioclase and only 2 to 4% Na-plagioclase). Millions of these “floater“ crystals, usually 1 to 2cm in size and rarely exceed..

Acetic Acid (Ethanoic Acid, Vinegar, Glacial Acetic Acid)By Barry Flannery (edited by Dr. Stephen Moreton) Acetic acid,CH3COOH, is a simple carboxylic acid. It is a weak organic acid better known as the chemical which gives vinegar its distinctive odour. Its weak acidity makes it a useful chemical for dissolving calcite from sensitive minerals such as galena and fluorite where the much stronger hydrochloric acid may cause dulling and damage to lu..

Gorbin the Binntal in Switzerland is a classical place forAnatase. Not only because the biggest Anatase crystal (5 cm) known was found here, but also for the colour and shape of the Anatases.Gorb, Binntal (22-07-2009)ColourThe colour of the Anatase from Gorb can vary from dark brown, brown, yellow to nearly colorless.A dark brown Anatase (found 19-07-2010). Image width 4 mm.Anatase (found 19-07-2010). Image width 5 mm.An nearly colorless Anatase ..

Linarite Nantycagle mineAt first this article was going to be just about linarite. It very soon became apparent that schmiederite would play a late but important part in the history of linarite from the UK.Many collectors have fine examples of linarite in there collections, from a number of UK and world locations. It is easy to understand why. Who would not like to have in there collection a azure blue bladed radial crystal group of linarite, con..