Mineral Man Mel

This is the first of two Blogs on native gold. In the first I introduce the mineral and its properties, including a gallery of specimens exhibiting the crystal forms of gold and the effects of deposition conditions on forms of gold. Having just found out about it, I’ll also describe the deposition of gold by. . . Read More

This is a brief introduction to the mineral Pyrite, or when we were young, known as Fools Gold. I’m also going to tell you about one mineral species which forms kidney stones in people. Pyrite is an iron sulfide with two atoms of sulfur for every iron atom, giving it the formula FeS2. [Ref 1]. . . Read More

This gallery of beautiful silver jewelry, coinage, and art works presents works from around the world, and spanning the ages from the 26th Dynasty of Egypt (664-525 BC) to the Art Deco Era (1909-1941 AD) [Ref 1, 2]. Works have been chosen to demonstrate the artisan’s methods of forming shapes in silver [Ref 3] by. . . Read More

This is the first of two Blogs on native silver. In the first I will introduce the mineral, including a gallery of specimens, and in the following blog, “Ancient Silver Jewelry” I’ll present examples of ancient silver jewelry, coinage, and art works, which demonstrate the innovative artisanship of early silversmiths from varied locations around the. . . Read More

In this blog post I’ll talk about the ore minerals of copper in Porphyry Copper deposits; major sources of copper; Porphyry Copper Deposits in Arizona; the formation and geology of Porphyry Copper deposits; and am including a gallery of Copper ore minerals; and lastly, discuss Peacock Copper Ore. Porphyry Copper Deposits Porphyry Copper deposits are. . . Read More

This short tutorial on how to operate a slab saw is directed toward the new user and can be a refresher for the seasoned slab-miester. Generally slab saws are heavy, so find a covered area indoors to place it, (or outside if you have to). You probably won’t be moving it unless yours has wheels.. . . Read More

Today I want to talk about opal as a gemstone and it’s, not expected, biological role in grasses and algae. Opal as a Gemstone Gem-quality opals are characterized as Precious Opal, also called Fire Opals and Common Opals. Precious Opal as a gemstone is prized by collectors and can display all the colors of the. . . Read More

In this blog, the subject is the Garnet Family and their six members, (See Figure 1), which are gemstones and mineral specimens highly prized by collectors, as well as by those that wear them, because of their colors. Their colors, as seen in Figure 1, span the rainbow, and some unexpectedly undergo a change in. . . Read More

In the presentation of photos of specimens of various garnets the source of the photo is referenced. For more or supporting images, Google the name of the mineral and the word image to see a gallery of additional images. Almandine Garnets Specimens from the classic localities of Wrangall Island, Alaska and Tyrol, Austria as well. . . Read More

What Are You Curious About? I am from Wisconsin, staying in Winslow with girlfriend who is a nurse.. I just became interested in rocks and minerals and need help identifying some specimens…. thank you Your specimens are three forms of quartz, in which the crystals are of microscopic size so you can’t see their shape.. . . Read More