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Elise
Joined: 22 Dec 2009
Posts: 243
Location: New York State
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 Posted: Mar 11, 2016 15:34 Post subject: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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We've had some wonderful feedback for our Jan/Feb article in Rocks & Minerals on causation of blue color in minerals https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?p=48228&highlight=#48228
Several people have inquired about examples not included in it or interesting specimens which they have seen. Recently an Emeritus Professor of Chemistry brought to our attention the "Blue Stone Beaches of Flores, Indonesia" and wondered if we knew anything about these and what causes their beautiful color. This is new to me and I have not found much on the locality or the stones themselves. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Best wishes,
Elise
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Elise Skalwold |
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lluis
Joined: 17 Nov 2006
Posts: 719
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| Posted: Mar 11, 2016 16:21 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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Dear Elise
May I have more info?
Chemist, but not the best digging internet.... :-(
With best wishes
LLuís |
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Geno
Joined: 15 Sep 2013
Posts: 4
Location: San Francico
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| Posted: Mar 11, 2016 16:51 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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Google "Blue Stone Beaches of Flores, Indonesia"
you will find lots of pictures |
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lluis
Joined: 17 Nov 2006
Posts: 719
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| Posted: Mar 12, 2016 05:12 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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Thanks, Geno
Done that are mixed inside a volcanic sand, I would suppose that any quartz included with a mineral that in small pieces/crystals look blue...
Maybe crossite...or many other....
Without an analysis, I am not able to say too much more,,,, :-(
With best wishes
Lluís
P.D.: Flores is a spanish word. Where spaniards in Flores? Just curious... I thought that Indonesia was colonized by dutchs..... But.... |
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Fiebre Verde
Joined: 11 Sep 2013
Posts: 944
Location: Paris Area
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| Posted: Mar 12, 2016 05:35 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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| lluis wrote: |
P.D.: Flores is a spanish word. Where spaniards in Flores? Just curious... I thought that Indonesia was colonized by dutchs..... But.... |
According to Wikipedia, the first Europeans who made it to Flores are the Portuguese in the beginning of the 16th century. They must have been impressed by the local flora hence the name given to the island. |
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lluis
Joined: 17 Nov 2006
Posts: 719
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| Posted: Mar 13, 2016 16:03 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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Thanks a lot, Fiebre Verde!
Well, I normally do not use to much Wikipedia.... But sometimes it is very useful...
With best wishes
Lluís |
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Fiebre Verde
Joined: 11 Sep 2013
Posts: 944
Location: Paris Area
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| Posted: Mar 13, 2016 16:34 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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| lluis wrote: | Thanks a lot, Fiebre Verde!
Well, I normally do not use to much Wikipedia.... But sometimes it is very useful...
With best wishes
Lluís |
You're welcome Lluís!
It happened that I visited Flores a long time ago but my attention was drawn more towards the pristine waters than the local flora.
Missed the visit of the blue stone beach(es) which I had no idea of.
Gérard |
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Elise
Joined: 22 Dec 2009
Posts: 243
Location: New York State
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| Posted: Mar 14, 2016 10:25 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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Hi - I was surprised this was moved out of the "Mineralogy" section to the "Off-Topic and Introductions" section" probably because of my poorly worded initial inquiry. We had hoped to get at the geology of the locality and whether these stones are rocks or are a single mineral (I'd guess they are rocks). Then perhaps we could figure out what the blue color arises from, whether it is structural or from a chromophore.
Most of the Internet search results are related to travel, but a couple of travel blogs point out that entire sections of the beach are disappearing into the ornamental trade for gardens and tourist items - supporting the local economy. Just goes to show people love color and blue seems to be particularly coveted! I'm excited that the Rocks & Minerals blue article was successful in generating such interesting and diverse inquiries; minerals have an enormous capacity to draw people in and to explore the science behind what makes them what they are! We'll hope to acquire one of the stones and figure it out...and then perhaps send it back to its exotic origin ;-)
Best wishes,
Elise
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Elise Skalwold |
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Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 5025
Location: Barcelona
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| Posted: Mar 14, 2016 10:42 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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| Elise wrote: | | Hi - I was surprised this was moved out of the "Mineralogy" section to the "Off-Topic and Introductions" section"... |
Fixed ;-) |
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lluis
Joined: 17 Nov 2006
Posts: 719
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| Posted: Mar 14, 2016 12:54 Post subject: Re: What causes the blue color of the stones of the beaches of Flores, Indonesia? |
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Good evening, Gérard!
Many thanks for answer, and many thaks for the words explaining a little about Flores!
Pity that you could not see the blue stones beach when you were there!
Maybe another time..... (pity it is so far from Europa...)
With best wishes
Lluís |
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