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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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 Posted: Apr 26, 2013 08:14 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Before moving on to the last few Canadian provinces from which I have specimens, I decided to change things up a bit today and show a few minerals from an "underappreciated" group - borates. I suppose the main reasons are that they are pretty much colorless or white and some are notoriously difficult to preserve in collections. Nevertheless, I find them an interesting group and seldom pass up a chance to acquire a nice sample when I find one.
Michael
| Description: |
Meyerhofferite
Mt. Blanco Mine, Death Valley, Furnace Creek District, Inyo Co., California
5.1 x 6.0 cm.
Colorless lathlike crystals of a somewhat rare borate from the type locality for the species. |
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31645 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Colemanite
Billie Mine, 1490' Level, Death Valley, Furnace Creek District, Inyo, Co., California
9.6 x 12.3 cm.
Large glassy crystals of colemanite to 2.7 cm. |
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31666 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Bakerite
Corkscrew Canyon Mine, Death Valley, Furnace Creek District, Inyo Co., California
7.3 x 8.7 cm.
Massive white bakerite resembling unglazed porcelain from the type locality of this uncommon species. |
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31642 Time(s) |
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: Apr 29, 2013 12:15 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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A few more borates before finishing up the Canadian provinces.
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Ulexite
West Baker Mine, Boron, Kramer District, Kern Co., California
5.6 x 6.7 cm.
Clamshell ulexite collected from a mud seam in the hanging wall shale. |
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31582 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Tincalconite ps. after borax
Baker Mine, Boron, Kern Co., California
13.0 x 15.5 cm FOV=5.0 cm.
This was once a wonderful specimen with sharp crystals to 5 cm. across. Unfortunately it hasn't fared well in the humid environment here. |
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31582 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Hydroboracite
Boron, Kramer District, Kern Co., California
3.8 x 4.7 cm.
Stellate sprays of colorless hydroboracite crystals. |
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| Viewed: |
31581 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Colemanite ps. inyoite
Corkescrew Canyon Mine, Furnace Creek Dist., Death Valley, Inyo Co., California
7.4 x 10.6 cm.
Transparent colemanite crystals pseudomorphing inyoite and included with brown microcrystals of todorokite. |
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31581 Time(s) |
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 01, 2013 10:56 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Back to Canada after a small detour through a few borates.
| Description: |
Gypsum
Red River Floodway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
7.5 x 9.1 cm.
Bladed gypsum crystals forming a sphere 7.0 cm in diameter with several twinned yellow crystals protruding from the sphere. |
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31553 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Gypsum
Red River Floodway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
6.0 x 7.0 cm.
A cluster of sharp colorless crystals with pale yellow tinged tips and a glassy luster. |
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31520 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Dolomite
Rabbit Lake Mine, Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
6.5 x 9.0 cm.
An intergrown group of sharp flesh-colored rhombic crystals to 1.7 cm. collected in the early 1980s from the 1240' bench. |
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31559 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Halite
PCS Mine, Rocanville, Saskatchewan, Canada
3.5 x 8.5 cm.
Colorless cubes of halite crystallized in a stairstep aggregate. |
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31544 Time(s) |
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Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2338
Location: Arkansas
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| Posted: May 01, 2013 11:30 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Michael,
I like your Halite specimen. Do you do anything special to keep the humidity low when displaying or storing this mineral?
Don
_________________
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 01, 2013 15:12 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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| Don Lum wrote: | Michael,
I like your Halite specimen. Do you do anything special to keep the humidity low when displaying or storing this mineral?
Don |
Don,
I've had this piece in my collection for 10 years and have done nothing as far as treatment during it's storage. Unlike the tincalconite ps. borax in a previous post, it seems to be holding up very well.
Michael
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 04, 2013 11:01 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Today's post will wrap up Canada. Next stop - Brazil.
| Description: |
Gypsum
Willow Creek, Nanton, Alberta, Canada
1.9 x 3.5 cm and 2.1 x 4.2 cm.
Two loose doubly terminated transparent gypsum crystals. |
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| Viewed: |
31383 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Calcite
Pine Point Mine, Northwest Territories, Canada
7.0 x 10.0 cm.
Honey-colored calcite rhombs to 4.5 cm on edge with frosted crystals faces. |
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31360 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Galena
Pine Point Mine, Northwest Territories, Canada
2.1 x 1.2 cm.
Spinel twinned and hoppered galena crystal. |
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| Viewed: |
31372 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Whiteite
Cross Cut Creek, Dawson District, Yukon Territory, Canada
1.5 x 2.0 cm.
Doubly terminated, light brown whiteite crystal with minor quartz. |
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31335 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Lazulite
Cross Cut Creek, Dawson District, Yukon Territory, Canada
1.5 x 1.7 cm.
Dark blue lustrous lazulite crystal group. |
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31351 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Pyromorphite
Society Girl Mine, Moyie, British Columbia, Canada
1.5 x 1.6 cm.
Well-formed hoppered crystals from Canada's best pyromorphite locality. |
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| Viewed: |
31340 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Lazulite
Cross Cut Creek, Dawson District, Yukon Territory, Canada
4.8 x 7.4 cm.
Lustrous dark blue lazulite with gemmy brown siderite crystals and minor quartz. |
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31321 Time(s) |
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 06, 2013 15:25 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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When I think of Brazil from a mineral collectors perspective, my first thought is the abundance of gem producing pegmatites. Most of these pegmatites are located in the northeast part of the state of Minas Gerais, which translates roughly as “general mines.” This area has produced many spectacular specimens of beryl, chrysoberyl, topaz, tourmaline, and kunzite. While Minas Gerais is most likely the best known, is not the only Brazilian state of interest to mineral enthusiasts. Minerals from both Rio Grande do Sul and Bahia are well represented in most comprehensive collections.
Although it is a well known fact that Brazil has been one of the world leaders in gemstone production during the past century, I was surprised to learn about Brazil’s non-gemstone mineral wealth. For example, Brazil is a leading producer of iron ore, accounting for 8% of world reserves. Brazil is also a leading producer of niobium and manganese, the second largest producer of bauxite, the third largest producer of graphite, and sixth largest producer of gold.
A quick search of my collection catalog turned up a total of 93 specimens from Brazil; certainly enough to post some images of a few specimens which I hope you will find interesting.
Michael
| Description: |
Spessartine
Pederneira Mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
4.0 x 4.7 cm.
Gemmy wine red spessartine crystal with a stepped surface indicative of very fast growth. |
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31287 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Elbaite
Arqueana Mine, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2.3 x 3.2 cm.
Terminal portion of a watermelon tourmaline with a partially dissolved reddish core and a green pinacoid termination. |
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| Viewed: |
31241 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Albite var. pericline
Fazenda Rubin Pimenta Mine, Capelinha, Minas Gerais, Brazil
7.5 x 10.7 cm.
Blocky white albite crystals twinned on the pericline law associated with lathlike green epidote crystals. |
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31274 Time(s) |
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Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4591
Location: Barcelona
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| Posted: May 06, 2013 15:58 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Michael,
When I figure the concept "Collector of Minerals", for some reason the image of your thread comes to my mind.. ;-) ;-)
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Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2338
Location: Arkansas
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| Posted: May 06, 2013 17:18 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Michael,
I enjoy your pictures and commentaries. I always learn something new.
Don
_________________
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 06, 2013 17:59 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Jordi - Thank you; I am very flattered.
Don - Thanks. I often learn something too!
Michael
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 08, 2013 14:53 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Continuing with Brazil. Who likes muscovite?
| Description: |
Muscovite
Linopolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
9.0 x 9.5 cm.
Intergrown books of golden-yellow muscovite crystals to 2 cm. |
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| Viewed: |
31063 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Muscovite
Aldea Velho Mine, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
9.3 x 12.6 cm.
Intergrown silvery pseudo-hexagonal muscovite crystals with gemmy pinkish areas. Dark green hexagonal prisms of fluorapatite to 0.6 cm are scattered about on the surfaces of the muscovite. |
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| Viewed: |
31073 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Muscovite
Ze Pinto prospect, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
5.3 x 6.3 cm.
Intergrown rosettes of sharp silvery pseudohexagonal muscovite crystals. This locality and the Aldea Velho Mine may be the same place, or very close by. |
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| Viewed: |
31088 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Muscovite
Rodinha Mine, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil
5.0 x 8.6 cm.
Golden yellow crystals of “star muscovite” covering a matrix of white
albite. Collected in 2012. |
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31063 Time(s) |
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Carles Millan
Site Admin
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1297
Location: Catalonia
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| Posted: May 10, 2013 15:19 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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| Superb photos, as usual. Keep going.
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 11, 2013 09:36 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Thanks Carles. I'll continue for as long as I have rocks to photograph. Continuing today with specimens from Brazil.
| Description: |
Ernstite ps. after childrenite
Boa Esperança Claim, Linopolis, Divino das Lananjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
1.6 x 4.7 cm.
A doubly-terminated childrenite crystal altered to earthy-brown ernstite. |
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| Viewed: |
30856 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Elbaite
Golconda Mine, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2.0 x 7.7 cm.
Parallel growth of acicular indicolite crystals each with a trigonal termination. |
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| Viewed: |
30868 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Meta autunite
São Pedro Claim, Malacacheta, Minas Gerais, Brazil
1.6 x 3.0 cm.
Books of lemon yellow, bladed crystals to forming an intergrown cluster. Obtained from Carlos Barbosa in 1993. |
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30898 Time(s) |
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 13, 2013 09:48 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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More from Brazil.
| Description: |
Fluorapaptite
Sapo Mine, Goiabeira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
4.7 x 4.8 cm.
Lustrous, green-black, hexagonal crystals with modified prism edges and pinacoid terminations on a white albite matrix. |
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| Viewed: |
30771 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Quartz var. rose quartz
Alto da Pittora, Laranjeiras, Galiléa , Minas Gerais, Brazil
6.0 x 6.8 cm.
Gemmy pink crystals set upon a matrix of blocky white orthoclase crystals with muscovite. |
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| Viewed: |
30750 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Elbaite
Sapo Mine, Goiabeira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
1.5 x 4.3 cm.
Collected in 1998. |
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| Viewed: |
30788 Time(s) |
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 15, 2013 07:51 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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More from Brazil.
| Description: |
Helvite
Navegadora Mine, Penha do Norte, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
4.5 x 7.0 cm.
Opaque yellow brown tetrahedral helvite crystals on a matrix of white albite. |
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| Viewed: |
30659 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Lepidolite cast after tourmaline
Barra de Salinas, Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil
7.2 x 7.4 cm.
Lilac-colored lepidolite crystals epimorphing elbaite crystals which have dissolved to leave tubular hollow casts. |
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| Viewed: |
30701 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Kyanite
Barra de Salinas, Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil
11.3 x 12.5 cm.
Terminated kyanite crystals in massive iron-stained quartz. |
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| Viewed: |
30705 Time(s) |
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Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2338
Location: Arkansas
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| Posted: May 15, 2013 13:48 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Michael,
That is a beautiful elbaite, image 1109.
Don
_________________
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Roger Warin
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 973
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| Posted: May 15, 2013 16:30 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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As usual, amazing pics and collection. The way forward…
Roger.
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 18, 2013 16:51 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Thanks Don and Roger. Still more from Brazil today.
| Description: |
Schorl
Corcunda Mine, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
1.7 x 6.6 cm.
A lustrous black schorl crystal featuring an unusual fibrous termination. |
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| Viewed: |
30479 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Quartz included with elbaite
Artur Mine, Jaguaracu, Minas Gerais, Brazil
4.6 x 5.0 cm.
Transparent quartz crystals included with what I thought was schorl when I acquired this specimen. However, the inclusions are definitely green in strongly transmitted light. |
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| Viewed: |
30496 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Spodumene var. kunzite
Resplendor, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2.5 x 6.0 cm.
A gemmy pink kunzite crystal with interesting etch features. |
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| Viewed: |
30487 Time(s) |
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supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
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| Posted: May 18, 2013 17:12 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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Hi Michael,
Your specimens from Brasil are really, really nice, and I´m in love with the colors of your Elbaite from Sapo Mine.
Congratulations!
Juan H
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1584
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: May 18, 2013 18:32 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
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| supertxango wrote: | Hi Michael,
Your specimens from Brasil are really, really nice, and I´m in love with the colors of your Elbaite from Sapo Mine.
Congratulations!
Juan H |
Thank you very much Juan. The Sapo elbaite is one of my favorites. Now I need a Jonas Mine rubellite to keep it company. Actually there were several nice ones at the last Tucson Show. I just didn't think mortgaging the house was a good idea. Ha ha.
Michael
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