FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Craig Mercer]

This is most certainly one of my favourite specimens. Large sharp Bastnasite on matrix from the Zagi Mts, Pakistan. Main crystal measures 36mm x 30mm. I'm really looking forward to adding to my collection photo's, and also admiring more of the specimens already uploaded by others.

[Carles Millan]

Beautiful bastnasite crystal!

Don't hesitate to keep posting your pictures. They will be very welcome.

Many thanks for joining us.

[Craig Mercer]

Thank you Carles for your kind reply. I have started to take some new photo's today, can hardly wait to add them to my photo collection. I have also been going through some of the other collections on the forum. Wow you guy's and gal's really do have some fine mineral specimens.

Kind regrads
Craig.

[Craig Mercer]

This is one of my all time favourites. It's quite large for the species, but it's also very clear and perfect. Adularia from Alchuri, Shigar Valley, Pakistan. 70mm x 65mm. I never get tired of looking at this one.

[Craig Mercer]

This is different specimen from the same area. Adularia from Alchuri, Shigar Valley, Pakistan. 78mm x 55mm. I just love these two so much.

[Craig Mercer]

This my favourite little Xenotime, although it's really quite large for the species. I guess it's probably more of a cluster of smaller crystals. Xenotime (Y) from the Zagi Mts, Pakistan. 50mm x 34mm.

[Craig Mercer]

I guess you can already tell, but I absolutely love Pakistani mineral specimens. This is one of my favourite Aquamarines from Pakistan. The termination is perfect, actually everything about this specimen is perfect, although I'm probably a little bias. It has a few inclusions, but in my opinion they just add specimen in total. Aquamarine from Shigar Valley, Pakistan. 74mm x 60mm.

These are some of my older specimens that were already photographed, I will start uploading some of the new ones tomorrow. I really like this format.

[Craig Mercer]

This is a specimen recently confirmed by XRD testing. Titanite in matrix from the Zagi Mts, Pakistan. 40mm x 30mm. Once again another Pakistani. I'm hooker on them.

[Craig Mercer]

Another recently XRD tested specimen. Hydrothermally corroded Beryl var Morganite from Shengus, Pakistan. 49mm x 38mm. It's just so different this specimen, beyond discription.

[Craig Mercer]

This one is an amazing chocolate coloured Quartz grouping from the Zagi Mts, Pakistan. There are areas of Astrophyllite throughout the specimen. When I unwrapped this specimen after purchasing it, well I just fell in love with it. 130mm x 110mm.

[Craig Mercer]

An incredible Zoisite specimen from Alchuri, Pakistan. 165mm x 120mm.

[Craig Mercer]

Last one for tonight. Another stunning Zoisite surrounded by Orthoclase crystals from Shalmar, near the Zagi Mts, Pakistan. 122mm x 38mm.

[Gail]

Hey Craig, welcome.
I particularly like the Xenotime cluster, I have a few myself and both Jim and I enjoy them.

[Craig Mercer]

Thanks for the welcome Gail. I adore Zagi Mt specimens, and I can't wait to see your Xenotimes. I'm gradually making my way through the personal collection photo's, and I can see your name down the list. I have been gobsmacked alot times already on my way down the list. Will I find the Xenotimes in your collection photo's Gail ?

On a different note Gail, the Tucson report just kept getting better. Thank you for making the time to allow everyone to feel apart of an amazing show.

Best wishes
Craig.

[Gail]

I am pretty sure I have one on my photos for my collection.

I am still adding photos from Tucson...so many people have asked me to add more so I said "sure". I don't always remember everyone's name, so hope people might write to me and nudge me in the right direction. I never forget a face though!
What amazes me is how many people have linked my write up into THEIR show reports. What an honour.

So..show us some more of your beauties Craig?!

[Craig Mercer]

Another one of my favourites. Parisite on matrix from the Zagi Mts, Pakistan. 52mm x 34mm.

[Craig Mercer]

Stunning little Apatite grouping from Konar, Afghanistan. 37mm x 24mm

[Craig Mercer]

The clarity and colour of this Topaz from Shigar Valley, Pakistan is incredible in person. 85mm x 65mm.

[Craig Mercer]

Beautiful strong coloured Amethyst from Konar, Afghanistan. 70mm x 60mm

[Craig Mercer]

This one is skeletal in it's structure. This is one of my personal favourites. Amethyst from Shigar Valley, Pakistan. 60mm x 45mm.