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supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
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 Posted: May 18, 2013 15:25 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Hi Mike,
Heulandite specimens are really nice with good color and shape. And also the place looks very interesting and nice. Good and hard discovery.
Thank you for share,
Juan H
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Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
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| Posted: May 19, 2013 10:51 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Thank you Juan, yes it's a very nice part of the world, but only if the weather is good ! Most of the time it is not good - we were very lucky this time. Camped in a tent and sunny every day, for eight days ! Cold at night though (-5C to -8C) which is pretty unusual for Skye.
| Description: |
Mesolite + Stilbite
Sgurr nam Boc, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
9 cm high x 5 cm x 4 cm
Superb mesolite 'ball' 50mm across, with white stilbite crystals, resting on coloured chabazite crystals. The mesolite ball is not complete; it is cleaved across the back - but it displays well ! From the same boulder as the previous photographed specimen. Self-collected 2006. |
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26782 Time(s) |
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Mesolite
Talisker Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
6 cm x 5 cm x 4 cm
Mesolite crystals to 13mm in analcime-lined gas cavity in basalt rock.
Self-collected 1988. |
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26770 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Mesolite + Chabazite
Moonen Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
70 mm x 55 mm high x 25 mm
Mesolite in attractive radiating clusters to 13mm across on pink twinned chabazite crystals. From the south end of Moonen Bay.
Self-collected 1997. |
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26760 Time(s) |
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Mordenite
Sgurr nam Boc, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
10 cm x 5 cm x 6 cm deep
Mordenite in delicate crystals to 10mm long with a few stilbite crystals, in a quartz-lined cavity in basalt. This zeolite mineral is very silica-rich and to my knowledge is only found at this locality (on Skye, that is), where quartz is plentiful.
Self-collected 1998. |
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26734 Time(s) |
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Joan Martinez Bruguera
Joined: 13 Dec 2012
Posts: 62
Location: Sant Esteve de Palautordera (Barcelona)
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| Posted: May 19, 2013 11:46 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Hello Mike
Good stories from a collector of minerals in this interesting area of zeolites in the lava flows of the Isle of Skye.
Beautiful specimens!
Regards
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supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
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| Posted: May 19, 2013 13:23 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Mike, congratulations for having the opportunity of enjoying this beautiful place, even with the cold. I was in Scotland but only a few days, visiting Edimbourgh and the most touristic places. I would like to go again and enjoy a little bit more and visit places that you have shown to us. Also here in Madrid and in Spain in general is really bit cold for this month. Mesolites and mordenites are also really nice.
Regards,
Juan H
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Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
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| Posted: May 22, 2013 13:30 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Thank you Joan and Juan for your appreciative comments; I love to go to Skye for mineral collecting - it is quiet and scenic, but some of the coastal localities are difficult to get to, unless of course you are good at climbing. You may have noticed the date the specimens were collected - none of them are from my last visit at Easter this year !
Meantime I shall continue to post photographs approximately in order of zeolites and related minerals from the basalt lavas, and some locality photo's for added interest.
| Description: |
Mesolite or Natrolite
Sgurr nam Boc, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
9 cm high x 6 cm x 4 cm
Large 'mesolite' crystals collected from wave-cut platform at south end of beach at Sgurr nam Boc. I have a recollection that this material was tested, and it may be natrolite - but I can't remember now !
It is certainly the largest of its type I have seen from Skye. Self-collected 2003. |
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26611 Time(s) |
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Laumontite
Sgurr nam Fiadh, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
6 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm
Fresh laumontite crystals (largest is 14mm) from a large cavity at sea-level in the cliff at Sgurr nam Fiadh. The mineral has been kept in water and so far it has not dehydrated and still looks fresh.
Self-collected 1998. |
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26606 Time(s) |
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Natrolite + Laumontite
Sgurr nam Fiadh, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
8 cm x 8 cm x 4 cm
Natrolite or mesolite crystals to 12 mm on white crystals that used to be laumontite, but have most likely dehydrated as the specimen has been stored dry. I have had similar material tested from this locality and it proved to be natrolite - courtesy of Alan Dyer - but not this same material.
This locality is 5km south of Talisker Bay and - you guessed it - very difficult to access !
Self-collected 2006.
Self-collected 2004. |
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26560 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Sgurr nam Fiadh, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
Sgurr nam Fiadh from the south (looking north).
The highest point of the cliff is nearly 900 feet high (260m).
April 2012. |
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26605 Time(s) |
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Antonio Alcaide
Site Admin
Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 314
Location: Spain
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| Posted: May 22, 2013 14:23 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Lovely zeolites, Mike, and amazing spots. I am reading this thread with true interest.
Regards
_________________
Life is the shortest crystal |
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Tim Blackwood
Joined: 19 May 2013
Posts: 29
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: May 22, 2013 15:44 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Absolutely amazing specimens, Mike. Thank you for sharing them. I've never seen a fresh, fully hydrated laumontite before.
Best wishes,
Tim
Cohasset, Minnesota, USA
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GneissWare
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 1287
Location: California
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| Posted: May 22, 2013 21:10 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Mike,
These are fabulous specimens!! And beautiful collecting localities too.
--Bob
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: May 23, 2013 05:24 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Wow Mike, very impressive; and I thought I was a keen collector! Fantastic specimens, by a deserved collector. I am amazed that you can remove and transport such delicate specimens. Thank you for showing.
_________________
Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
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| Posted: May 24, 2013 16:09 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Thank you Antonio for your interest in the Isle of Skye ! Thanks Tim and welcome to FMF !
Gneiss of you to say so Bob ; )
Pierre, thank you for your kind words; I must say that I have been very impressed with your specimens - especially the quartzes - and your postings of your collecting trips in the mountains of South Africa. Your photo's provided the inspiration for me to start again with my collection thread after a long delay !
Cheers, Mike : )
| Description: |
Laumontite
'Glen Caladale', Loch Eynort, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
8cm x 6cm x 2cm
Laumontite on 'mesolite' with a few scattered brown calcite crystals (to 3mm). From the same locality as one shown previously which is dry and kept in a plastic box. This specimen has been kept in water and is still fairly fresh.
The locality is on the north side of Loch Eynort on a wave-cut platform with large boulders on it.
Self-collected 1996. |
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26198 Time(s) |
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Natrolite + Analcime
Oisgill Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
10mm crystals
Natrolite crystals to 10mm on small analcime crystals in a gas cavity in basalt lava. This material has been analysed.
Self-collected 2004. |
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26102 Time(s) |
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Natrolite
Oisgill Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
10cm x 8cm x 4cm
Radiating aggregates of natrolite crystals. This was found in a gully around the corner at the north end of Oisgill Bay - on the map this spot is called 'An Ceannaich'. This specimen has been analysed. I went back to the same spot recently and could not find a trace of it; I think it had been buried by rockfall. My recollection is that the natrolite was formed in a vein in the back of the gully.
Self-collected 1995. |
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26178 Time(s) |
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Natrolite
Sgurr nam Fiadh, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
8cm x 4cm x 3cm
Crystals of Natrolite found in a very large gas cavity in a weathered boulder. The greenish background (altered basalt) is distinctive and Prof. M.F.Heddle in his famous book 'Mineralogy of Scotland' (1901) describes Scolecite from this locality on a similar coloured background. But this stuff is definitely Natrolite, it was tested via Alan Dyer in 2002. A mystery perhaps?
Self-collected 1994. |
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26143 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Oisgill Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland
The north end of Oisgill bay. An Ceannaich is the cliff around the corner. The cliffs are 600 feet (190m) high and scary / awe-inspiring !
Photo taken Easter 2013. |
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26169 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: May 25, 2013 02:45 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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| Mike Wood wrote: | Thank you Antonio for your interest in the Isle of Skye ! Thanks Tim and welcome to FMF !
Gneiss of you to say so Bob ; )
Pierre, thank you for your kind words; I must say that I have been very impressed with your specimens - especially the quartzes - and your postings of your collecting trips in the mountains of South Africa. Your photo's provided the inspiration for me to start again with my collection thread after a long delay !
Cheers, Mike : ) |
Hi Mike, you put a smile om my dial this morning:-) Thank you! Please keep posting.
_________________
Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
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| Posted: May 25, 2013 05:35 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Good morning Pierre and thanks again.
I've got a few more fairly dull minerals to show, and I know my photo's are rather basic but I want to do these things in approximately alphabetical order. It makes it easier to remember where I am with the list - but don't worry - I'm saving the best until last !
| Description: |
Phillipsite
Moonen Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
38mm x 30mm vug
Large specimen of small phillipsite crystals (2-3mm). Occasional associates are levyne and chabazite.
Self-collected 1995. |
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30909 Time(s) |
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Phillipsite
Moonen Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
13mm crystal
Small specimen of a very large phillipsite crystal. Rarely seen in this size from here. The crystal is sheared off at the back - it's a bit 'hit and miss' when you are splitting boulders with small cavities.
Self-collected 2013. |
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30933 Time(s) |
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Garronite
Oisgill Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
20mm x 15mm
Garronite specimen showing typical complete infilling of the cavity, and characteristic curved 'cleavage' lines. Usually associated with phillipsite, levyne, cowlesite and chabazite. Occurs with similar minerals at Moonen Bay.
Self-collected 1999. |
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30852 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Moonen Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
Waterstein Head and Moonen Bay cliffs, viewed from Neist Point. September 2009. |
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30921 Time(s) |
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Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
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| Posted: May 25, 2013 11:35 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Some specimens from a locality a bit closer to the Cuillin - the biggest mountains on Skye reaching almost 1000m high. They are the eroded remnant of a basic/ultrabasic pluton which was emplaced in the final stages of the volcanism event (lasting about 2 million years) that produced the basaltic lava flows which began about 58my ago in the Tertiary period. Being only a few kilometres from the 'gabbro' (mostly) pluton the range of zeolite and associated mineralisation appears to be limited. In fact the only things worth collecting are prehnite, some very small amounts of copper and microscopic secondaries, and quartz.
| Description: |
Prehnite
Sgurr nan Cearcall, nr Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
6cm x 4cm x 5cm deep
'Stalactitic' formation of white prehnite on very hard basalt. The prehnite has most likely replaced some thin crystals of another, probably zeolitic mineral like laumontite.
Self-collected 1997 |
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30857 Time(s) |
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Prehnite
Sgurr nan Cearcall, nr Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
FOV 7cm x 5cm
Nice green and quite lustrous prehnite crystals forming thick crusts in very hard basalt. Open and vuggy material, often with little epimorphs(?) or casts of prehnite on calcite (presumably) to 3mm across, but the casts are hollow.
Self-collected 1997 |
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30886 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Prehnite
Sgurr nan Cearcall, nr Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
12cm x 7cm x 5cm
The nicest prehnite specimen I have found, collected from a random small boulder on my last visit - I was very pleased ! The colour is a stronger green than the last specimen photo, but it is very difficult to capture.
Self-collected 2011 |
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30936 Time(s) |
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Quartz
Sgurr nan Cearcall, nr Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
14cm x 9cm x 6cm
Large specimen of nice quartz crystals to 12mm or so. There are smaller examples to be seen but this is one of the biggest. I remember spotting this on my first visit in 1997, but didn't bother with it at the time...Must have been too busy exploring and then forgot about it. Anyway, it was still there 14 years later !
Self-collected 2011 |
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30868 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Quartz
Sgurr nan Cearcall, nr Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
FOV 5cm x 4cm approx.
Close-up of the large quartz specimen showing detail of the crystals. |
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30915 Time(s) |
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Calcite
Sgurr nan Cearcall, nr Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
63mm x 40mm x 20mm deep
Calcite crystals in 'nailhead' habit, found on the sides of a large, otherwise empty cavity in a huge boulder. The only calcite I recall seeing at this locality. The glossy sheen is natural (etching from sea-water?).
Self-collected 2011 |
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30898 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Sgurr nan Cearcall, nr Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Photo of the locality looking east toward the Cuillin. 2011. |
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30857 Time(s) |
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Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
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| Posted: May 25, 2013 17:44 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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A few more quartz specimens
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Quartz
Loch Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
12mm crystals
Interesting growths of quartz crystals with intriguing terminations. Found in-situ on the wave-cut platform. From a locality on the north shore of Loch Brittle, named Geodha na h-Airigh Moire.
Self-collected 2003 |
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30834 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Quartz
Sgurr nam Boc, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
11cm x 4cm x 2cm
Pale blue lining of tiny quartz crystals 2-3mm thickness on basalt. Sometimes this material has blocky (pinacoidal) apophyllite crystals sprinkled on the surface.
Self-collected 2002 |
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30840 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Quartz
Sgurr nam Boc, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
5cm x 4cm
Quartz 'stalactite' 37mm long, with a 3mm heulandite crystal and a tiny stilbite crystal attached.
Self-collected 1994 |
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30823 Time(s) |
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| Description: |
Sgurr nam Boc, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Photo taken November 1996, (scanned) when the days are short and the weather can be nasty. |
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30843 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: May 26, 2013 03:43 Post subject: Re: Collection of Mike Wood |
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Hi Mike. Interesting quartz specimens. When I first saw your Coastline photos, I thought that a rubber boat would be a good option, but it appears that it is about as rugged as the Cape coastline and not suitable for a boat approach. Have you got any photos of crystals as found?
_________________
Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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