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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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 Posted: Oct 19, 2012 04:16 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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Some more photos.
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Gypsum
Ceres Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa
155 x 98 x 34 mm
Gypsum is abundant in certain areas of the Karoo, together with Calcite. |
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109504 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Gypsum
Ceres Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa
155 x 98 x 34 mm
The same specimen as above. |
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109394 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Gypsum
Ceres Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa
155 x 98 x 34 mm
The same specimen as above. |
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109510 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Smoky Quartz
Paarl, Western Cape, SA
55 x 20 x 16 mm |
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109381 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Quartz
Ceres, Western Cape, SA
49 x 46 x 35 mm |
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109399 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| Beautiful flowers are found while looking for crystals. This type of succulent is rare from the Ceres area. |
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109521 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| I know this is a mineral forum, but flowers are so much part of our crystal outings. The Western Cape has, by far, the most species of wild flowers in the world. |
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109568 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
quartz with chlorite inclusions
Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa
48 x 46 x 31 mm |
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109445 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
quartz with chlorite inclusions
Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa
48 x 46 x 31 mm
A close up of the same specimen as above. |
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109348 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Smoky Quartz
Van Rhynsdorp, Western Cape, South Africa
47 x 30 x 18 mm |
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109370 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Smoky Quartz with Chlorite
Van Rhynsdorp, Western Cape, South Africa
72 x 55 x 25 mm |
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109430 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Smoky Quartz with Chlorite
Van Rhynsdorp, Western Cape, South Africa
72 x 55 x 25 mm
A close up of the above specimen. |
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109425 Time(s) |
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Quartz with Rutile
Van Rhynsdorp, Western Cape, South Africa
56 x 33 x 24 mm |
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109363 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Quartz with Rutile
Van Rhynsdorp, Western Cape, South Africa
56 x 33 x 24 mm
A close up of the above specimen. |
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109394 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Smoky Quartz
Van Rhynsdorp, Western Cape, South Africa
107 x 32 x 24 mm |
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109383 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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John Medici
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 124
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Oct 29, 2012 16:16 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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Great pictures Pierre - we look forward to more in the future! The Western Cape area and its quartz specimens resemble some of the localities we have here in the USA, but much further from one another here (e.g. NY, NC and AZ, CO, NM). Plants and wildlife that you have shown are quite different though. (enjoyed seeing them too!)
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Oct 30, 2012 03:41 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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| John Medici wrote: | | Great pictures Pierre - we look forward to more in the future! The Western Cape area and its quartz specimens resemble some of the localities we have here in the USA, but much further from one another here (e.g. NY, NC and AZ, CO, NM). Plants and wildlife that you have shown are quite different though. (enjoyed seeing them too!) |
Hi John. Thank you for your comments; It is a pleasure for us to share our experiences with others. I have literally walked thousands of kilometers in the South African and Namibian Mountains in my lifetime, either in pursuit of trout or mineral specimens, and have many photos and boxes full of specimens. Southern Africa is such a vast and extremely rich collecting area and we have not even scraped the surface. I always appreciate it if someone shares their collecting experiences (no matter how humble), with others as it takes you to places that you might never be able to visit yourself. Best wishes.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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marvsT/Nminerals
Joined: 06 Nov 2008
Posts: 68
Location: Juda, Wisconsin
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| Posted: Oct 31, 2012 10:02 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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I have very much enjoyed your photos and comments, Pierre. It is entertaining and educational for me to see the minerals "in situ" along with some of the larger features of where they are found. It is not likely I will ever be able to travel to South Africa to view the areas in person so your photos are very welcome. The associated fauna and flowers are welcome, also. I particularly like the specimen, photo number 100_2441.JPG and the one with the rutile inclusion. Thank you, Marv
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Great things can be found in small packages! |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 01, 2012 01:41 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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| marvsT/Nminerals wrote: | | I have very much enjoyed your photos and comments, Pierre. It is entertaining and educational for me to see the minerals "in situ" along with some of the larger features of where they are found. It is not likely I will ever be able to travel to South Africa to view the areas in person so your photos are very welcome. The associated fauna and flowers are welcome, also. I particularly like the specimen, photo number 100_2441.JPG and the one with the rutile inclusion. Thank you, Marv |
Hi Marv. I am glad you enjoy the 'contribution' I was blessed to discover 3 major pockets, and a few smaller pockets, at the source of the above mentioned specimen and removed (together with my wife), hundreds of specimens, some of very high quality, that I will photograph with time and share with you.
Who knows, you might still make it to SA. and join us on an outing or three. Regards
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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chris
Site Admin
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 538
Location: Grenoble
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| Posted: Nov 01, 2012 03:27 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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Hi Pierre,
Didn't have time to read your report until now. Great mix of crystals and (other) natural wonders. You sold the area quite well, especially for a hiker like me. Looking forward your future posts.
Christophe
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 01, 2012 05:42 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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| chris wrote: | Hi Pierre,
Didn't have time to read your report until now. Great mix of crystals and (other) natural wonders. You sold the area quite well, especially for a hiker like me. Looking forward your future posts.
Christophe |
Thanks Christophe! If I can find time, I will share some more. Regards.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Chris Foltz
Joined: 28 Oct 2012
Posts: 92
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Dec 26, 2012 06:22 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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So cool to find pockets filled with quartz... beautiful... :)
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Dec 26, 2012 08:34 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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| Chris Foltz wrote: | | So cool to find pockets filled with quartz... beautiful... :) |
You tell me Chris! Just 2 days ago I ventured into the mountains, not really expecting to find anything noteworthy. I found two lovely pockets with some crystals over 100mm. I removed one and left the other for my wife to remove next time. I am always amazed at the gemmy, 'pre-cut' gems that come from the soil; a very very addictive hobby!
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Josele
Joined: 10 Apr 2012
Posts: 410
Location: Tarifa, Spain
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| Posted: Dec 27, 2012 11:17 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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Pierre, I really enjoy with your finding report, thank you for sharing it. Southafrica calls my atention from time ago and your post makes grow my interest for the country.
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Dec 27, 2012 11:49 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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| Josele wrote: | | Pierre, I really enjoy with your finding report, thank you for sharing it. Southafrica calls my atention from time ago and your post makes grow my interest for the country. |
Josele, thank you so much for your kind words. You need a few lifetimes to explore SA properly. The Northern Cape is to me the most fascinating of all the areas with a huge variety of mineral specimens.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jan 01, 2013 08:59 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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On the 28 of December (just a few days ago), I drove off to the Roggeveld (better known as the Ceres Karoo or Tankwa Karoo). Most of this area still falls under the Western Cape province. The reason for this trip was 2-fold; firstly to temporarily escape the madness of the hour, and secondly, to collect some mineral specimens. My target for this two and a half day trip, was a quartz reef and a small quarry. On the way back, I stopped over on a farm to collect some quartz crystals. I hope you can enjoy some of the highlights of this trip.
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| Some 160 km from home on the way to Calvinia, Western Cape. |
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35437 Time(s) |
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| The semi-desert had some good rain. |
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| Viewed: |
35437 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| The border of the Western Cape, some 120 km from our home. The languages on the board are Afrikaans; Xhosa and (off-course) English. |
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35476 Time(s) |
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| Some strange mineral (or is it perhaps fungi?) on shale rock. |
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35448 Time(s) |
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35467 Time(s) |
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| A quartz reef exposed and weathered. |
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35467 Time(s) |
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| Full moon makes the landscape look like the surface of some other planet. |
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35454 Time(s) |
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| Gypsum in-between layers of shale (something very abundant in this area) |
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35417 Time(s) |
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| A natural pool (one of two) formed in the quarry after the rain. |
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35476 Time(s) |
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| Where the rain washed away softer earth, shale with veins of clear gypsum are exposed. |
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35497 Time(s) |
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| A second pool in the quarry, which is the result of some good rain. |
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| Viewed: |
35476 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jan 01, 2013 09:33 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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Here are some more photos from this trip.
| Description: |
| The same quarry where gypsum; calsite and some other strange mineral is to be found. |
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| Viewed: |
35413 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Calcite
Western Cape, South Africa
fingers for scale |
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35414 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Calcite on shale
Western Cape, South Africa
65 x 47 mm |
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35431 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Calcite geode
Western Cape, South Africa
40 x 20 mm
A small geode of drusy calcite crystals |
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35436 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A very nice pocket that yielded many calcite specimens, mostly small, pearly crystals on matrix. |
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35393 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Calcite
Western Cape, South Africa
Approx. 40 x 30 mm |
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35412 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Calcite
Western Cape, South Africa
Fingers for scale. |
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35462 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A large rock which hosted the calcite pocket. |
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35440 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
| A most remarkable, unusual mineral for this area (possibly some form of quartz). The host rock looks like basalt. |
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35388 Time(s) |
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35404 Time(s) |
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35408 Time(s) |
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| Black, iron bearing rocks are in abundance; some with a jet black colour. |
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35451 Time(s) |
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35413 Time(s) |
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| A very welcome stop about 100 km from the nearest shop; a farm stall with COLD COKE!!! This is the only such place on a stretch of remote road, 255 km long. |
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35447 Time(s) |
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| Closer to home, I slept for one night in the field on a farm and woke up with these antelope grazing about 200 m away. |
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35432 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jan 01, 2013 10:02 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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Some more photos of rocks from this last trip.
| Description: |
Iron bearing rock with strange crystals.
Western Cape, South Africa
85 x 52 mm
This black rock hosts some dark unknown crystals of a type I have never seen from this area. |
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35351 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Unknown crystals
Western Cape, South Africa
Largest approx. 3mm long.
My knowledge of mineral specimens is very limited. I will place some of these photos on 'what mineral is it?' later on. Maybe one of our experts can help identify these crystals. |
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35380 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Unknown crystals
Western Cape, South Africa
Largest approx. 3mm long.
Same as above |
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35379 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Iron bearing geode
Western Cape, South Africa
190 x 170 mm
I found a small gully with these strange 'geodes'. I am not quiet sure what minerals are involved, although iron is almost surely one of them. |
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35357 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Iron bearing geode
Western Cape, South Africa
190 x 170 mm
Same as above. |
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35282 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Basalt? with veins of quartz
Western Cape, South Africa
80 x 50 mm
Some areas of the Karoo have these rocks in abundance. It looks like elephant skin. |
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35337 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Basalt? with veins of quartz
Western Cape, South Africa
180 x 150 mm |
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| Viewed: |
35287 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Quartz???
Western Cape, South Africa
13 x 12 mm
I found only two of these crystals in a certain area after many hours of searching and breaking rocks. If it is quartz, it is a most unusual type. |
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35330 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Hematite, manganese mineral???
Western Cape, South Africa
crystal size: 13 x 11 mm
I was very excited when I found this crystal on rock matrix, but the fascets appear to have been made by quartz crystals. |
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35324 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Chris Foltz
Joined: 28 Oct 2012
Posts: 92
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Jan 01, 2013 11:08 Post subject: Re: Quartz collecting outings in South Africa |
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Happy New Year! Now time to go hunt the deer... :)
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