FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Louis Friend]

I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to FMF, and especially Jordi Fabre for making room on his server for collectors to display their treasures. It is a great initiative, and I hope to make FMF my “semi-official” minerals homepage. Again many thanks to FMF and Jordi!

I am a very busy (and frequently tired) physics/mathematics teacher, married with two young children. Though I am new to minerals, I have read much about minerals, mineral collections and mineral collectors. I have also spent many hours at the State Library (Adelaide), National Library in Canberra, several University Libraries and a few private libraries looking through current and past editions of the “Mineralogical Record”, “Rocks and Minerals” and “Lapis.” I have also perused dozens of the peer reviewed scientific journals related to minerals and mining, especially “Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta”, “Resource Geology”, Journal of the Mineralogical Society of America, “American Mineralogist” and some publications of the USGS. I have also purchased a few textbooks on geology, mineralogy and mining history to add to my home library. I have also looked at the mineral collections housed in a few of Australia’s Museums, a few private collections and online looking at the mineral collections housed in overseas Museums. I have also walked the online “corridors” of Mindat, The-Vug and WebMineral. It can be said then, that I have done my “homework” and some!

During the course of my investigations into the hobby of mineral collecting, I have spoken to mining companies, mine managers, miners, geologists, mineralogists, gemologists, curators, mineral retailers, mineral wholesalers and a few mineral collectors. To “kick-start” my collection I was fortunate to purchase some fine pieces from a few local collectors who decided to downsize their collections or move on to other things. As for my preferences, I have none. All minerals and all mineral localities appeal to me and I will collect whatever catches my eye and whatever I can afford.

To digress slightly, I have made a solemn promise to my wife not to buy another mineral or mineral related textbook for at least six months. I am afraid I have decimated my budget (and much of hers) for this financial year.

I hope to make many worthwhile contributions to FMF over the course of my involvement, and without further ado, I present my first piece.

[Louis Friend]

The attached specimen of Cassiterite with Muscovite contains two highly lustrous and complex crystals of cassiterite approximately 3 x 2cm each.

[Louis Friend]

The attached specimen of Cassiterite with Muscovite contains two highly lustrous and complex crystals of cassiterite approximately 3 x 2cm each.

[Louis Friend]

The attached specimen of Cassiterite with Muscovite contains two highly lustrous and complex crystals of cassiterite approximately 3 x 2cm each.

[GneissWare]

Louis,
Nice Xuebaoding cassiterite! I just love these specimens.
Bob

[Louis Friend]

This specimen is a mass of interlocking fluorite cubes in a very nice translucent (gemmy) yellow. It looks very impressive when backlit. I have better Fluorite specimens, but none prettier. I have attached three views. The acrylic stand is home made.

[Louis Friend]

This specimen is a single large crystal of magnetite with a small amount of attached matrix – quartz. Though it appears black in the photo it is in fact “steel grey” with a “silky” luster. Originally offered for sale as “garnet” a magnet indicated otherwise. The acrylic stand is home made.

[Louis Friend]

MONSTER SPHALERITE

The specimen is a large mass of stunningly lustrous, large gem sphalerite crystals with complex glassy faces sitting on a matrix covered with tiny quartz crystals. The piece consists of dozens of complex sphalerite crystals, but three large crystal groups are easily visible in the photos. These are about 5 x 5 x 3 cm in size. The sphalerite crystals display a distinct “reddish” hue, some with internal flashes of red, and when backlit looks like “red” tinted glass. I believe material such as this was often called “ruby jack.” The acrylic stand and label are home made.

[Louis Friend]

MONSTER MAGNETITE

The specimen is a large and very heavy mass of magnetite crystals on a matrix of massive magnetite. The magnetite crystals occur as rhombic-dodecahedrons and range in size from 5mm to just over 20mm on edge. Originally offered for sale as “garnet” a magnet indicated otherwise. The luster of the magnetite is more typical of andradite garnet from the same deposit, hence the confusion. The acrylic stand and label are home made.

[Louis Friend]

That concludes the largest specimens in my collection. I hope everyone has enjoyed looking at them as much as I have enjoyed photographing them. I have about 300 minerals ranging in size from miniature to cabinet for which I am making acrylic stands. I estimate it will take about six months to finish, and then I will be building appropriate display fixtures in my study. At the moment everything is in boxes!

[Tobi]

Good minerals! The giant magnetite crystal is stunning, haven't seen such a large x of that species before.

[Louis Friend]

RARE COPPER MINERAL

The specimen comprises a beautiful blue carpet of sparkling microcrystals of cornetite with associated malachite. Sadly, the photographs did not capture the intense luster of the cornetite microcrystals. It is a beautiful piece!

Included are photographs of the label and stand, both homemade. The stand consists of a back support and a small support for the front of the specimen. In all, a very secure stand!

[Louis Friend]

GALENA – UNUSUAL MORPHOLOGY

To me this is a superb specimen of exceptionally bright, silvery metallic galena. It comprises two types of galena - a melted galena with a free flowing surface, and groups of very sharp spinel twinned galena crystals. I was introduced to these Bulgarian minerals about two months ago, and I now find them to be the most exciting sulphide minerals I have hitherto seen.

Included are photographs of the label and stand, both homemade. The stand consists of a backrest on which the specimen sits and a small support for the front of the specimen to stop it sliding forward. In all, a very secure stand!

[Louis Friend]

The specimen looks like a “shark fin” and comprises a rich limonitic gossan that supports translucent green botryoidal Mimetite together with highly lustrous, butterscotch coloured crystals of Wulfenite. The Wulfenite crystals are about 10 mm long.

Also included are photos of the homemade stand and label. The stand is simply an acrylic block with clear rubber feet. To secure the piece I use a small “anti-slip” rubber mat. The mat comes in 2 meter by 0.30 meter rolls for about $2AUD, and is great material for mineral specimens.

[Princess]

Amazing .... I admire your collection, I would like to see more photos .... if there is a course)