FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Michael Shaw]

The mines at Herja have produced countless specimens of wonderfully crystallized minerals that grace museums and private collections worldwide. The Herja Mine lies approximately 6 km northeast of Baia Mare close to the small village of Chiuzbaia (formerly Kisbanya). Over 100 orebodies have been exploited during the past century, but all of the mines were closed as of 2006. Of the over 35 minerals that are well-known from Herja, lustrous, chisel-shaped stibnite, semseyite in fan-shaped groups, spherical white calcites, and wonderfully crystallized calcite groups heavily included with jamesonite are all highly sought after by collectors.

[Michael Shaw]

In today's post I'll continue with specimens from Herja.

[Michael Shaw]

Today I will finish up Herja with one common species and a few of the rarer minerals that occur at Herja. Next up will be the mines at Baia Sprie.

[Jordi Fabre]

[Michael Shaw]

I have had this specimen in my collection for 17 years. I acquired it from a dealer who used to spend a great deal of time in Romania, so I'm inclined to trust the label that came with the specimen. I also have a couple of similar specimens that were labeled as having come from Herja, and were acquired from another dealer who carried a lot of Romanian minerals. That being said, it certainly could be from another location. I just have to trust the label.
Michael

[Jordi Fabre]

Thanks Michael, it should be OK. Turt is a relatively modern exploitation, so 17 years seems to be too old for Turt, and it is true that Herja supplied some Calcites looking like the famous ones from Turt....

[Michael Shaw]

[Michael Shaw]

Today I will show a few minerals from the well-known mining center at Baia Sprie, which is situated in the mountains about 9 km east of Baia Mare. The history of mining in Baia Sprie dates back to the 13th century, when it was known by it’s Hungarian name, Felsobanya. Through the centuries, numerous pits and shafts exploited the rich deposits. At least 45 minerals have been recorded from Baia Sprie, and it is the type locality for 5 minerals: andorite, felsobanyaite, klebelsbergite, semseyite, and szmikite.

[Michael Shaw]

A few more from Baia Sprie.

[GneissWare]

"Stibnite crystals with a sword-shaped habit."

This is a really neat specimen, and quite unusual!

[Michael Shaw]

Thanks Bob. The stibnite with the steep angled terminations is one of my favorite Romanian specimens. I have never seen another one quite like it.

I will continue today with a few more specimens from Baia Sprie and travel a bit farther east to Cavnic tomorrow.
Michael

[Michael Shaw]

Today I will start showing a few specimens in my collection from the mines at Cavnic. I'm pretty sure most collectors are familiar with this locality and it's history, but for those who aren't - a little background.

The historic mining town of Cavnic is situated in a valley surrounded by the Gutin Mountains about 25 km east of Baia Mare. Mining at Cavnic dates to the 14th century when the town was known by it’s Hungarian name Kapnik or Kapnikbánya. In early times the deposits were worked for silver, gold and lead, while lead and zinc were sought during modern times. Like Baia Sprie and Herja, the deposits at Cavnic were accessed through numerous mines. The most notable mines during modern times are the Boldut, Cavnic, Roata, and Suior mines. The mineral assemblage at Cavnic was more diverse and more colorful than that of Baia Sprie and Herja with about 70 different species recorded. Cavnic is the type locality for rhodochrosite. All of the mines at Cavnic have been closed since 2008.

[Michael Shaw]

A few more from Cavnic.

[Michael Shaw]

I haven't been able to post any photos the past couple of days, but I have enjoyed viewing posts from other members. This morning I will resume with more specimens from Cavnic.

[Michael Shaw]

More from Cavnic.