FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Les Presmyk]

Ed, now you are just showing off. Since Arizona does not produce any good specimens of any of the tourmaline group minerals, I cannot follow Ed's lead and show you photos of our elbaites. Once you get to azurites, malachites and wulfenites, maybe we can reciprocate. Whatever we can do to help a new collector.

[Ed Huskinson]

Yeah well, you're right Les. However, the orange-colored "tourmaline" came to me from Bruce Van Allen, and he was unable to provide a specific locality for it, other than "Minas Gerais". It's a big state. The thing deserves a separate photo and more attention, that's for sure. But I think that it and 2 Bar's specimen are from the same area if not the same mine. Maybe one of the South American locality experts can weigh in on this. How 'bout it Alfredo? Whomever? Any idea where these distinctive orange-red elbaites originate??

I'll post a few more photos of my little single crystal on my page a little later.

And please forgive the digression 2Bar. Sometimes I/we tend to get swept up in the discussion(s). Send more photos, we're all enjoying this very much.

[2 Bar A]

Wow Ed, those are breathtaking! Love the quick wit and all the information...okay, here's my next elbaite (hopefully the correct singular spelling) I believe it was once attached to the mica in photo #2, let me know what you think!

[Ed Huskinson]

Don't know 2Bar. The mica looks like the lithium-rich mica called lepidolite. It occurs in San Diego county, right there in California. Tourmaline is found with this mica, usually as a variety called rubellite I think, although this name may no longer be in favor, perhaps replaced by lithium elbaite. I'm not sure.

However, I'm doubtful that the beautifully zoned elbaite (whose photo accompanies the mica) occurred on the lepidolite, as I believe they occurr in different zones in the pegmatites where they grew. Others with more experience than I have can weigh in here, and it'll be instructive to hear what they have to say. In the meantime, the elbaite that is pictured in the photo I sent to you earlier, the zoned specimen so similar to yours, came from the Pala Mine in San Diego county. So that gives you something for comparison. If you live in southern California, a field trip to the Fallbrook area is called for. You can meet many good dealers there, and see lots of fine minerals as well.

I see a trip to Tucson in your future, in February, 2010. Gail Spann has a topic string devoted to women in mineralogy or collecting, whatever, and there is much to be learned at that site. I cannot think of a better mentor for you.

But keep posting! Participation in the FMF seems to go in fits and starts, depending on everyone's availability and computer access. You'll be hearing from lots more folks in the next few days.

Keep up the good work.

[Les Presmyk]

All good information from Ed for you. Elbaite is the species name for the green, blue (indicolite) and pink (rubellite) members of the Tourmaline group. I am probably going to get into trouble with some of the real mineralogists but that is how I understand the identification and nomenclature.

If you are ever in the Phoenix, we can get you around to see some of the collections in this area, which will include everything from tourmalines and beryls to rhodochrosite and what comes from the southwest, including Mexico.

[2 Bar A]

Okay, but take a look at the base of the specimen in this picture, it matches exactly to the "mica"...

[Les Presmyk]

Although I am not a big propronent of repaired specimens, please keep the mica intact on the base of the elbaite so it can be glued back onto the matrix. Also, the matrx can be trimmed to make it a more presentable. This has to be even better than Christmas for you. We are all sharing in the joy you are having as you unpack the collection. I can help you with the trimming at whatever point you are ready to consider that.

[2 Bar A]

and one more shot from the bottom....

[2 Bar A]

I am having a blast too. Going out into the Danville sunshine now, will be back in a couple of hours. Till then, cheers!

[Les Presmyk]

What is the demension across the bottom of the elbaite? Don't forget to wear sunblock.

[Ed Huskinson]

Well, from the photos of the backside, it is self-evident that the elbaite was removed from the larger lepidolite host matrix. Proof positive, particularly if there is a spot on the matrix where the elbaite fits perfectly. So I've learned something today, and I thank you for it. Listen to Les about the matrix thing.

Enjoy the sunshine, then send us more pix. These postings are diversions from my weariful typing, and it's nice to be able to get away from it every hour or so.

Now you need to check the local library to see whether they carry the magazine "Mineralogical Record". If not, then try the nearest college. One with a federal repository will have it for sure. A subscription is strongly recommended, regardless.

Later,

Ed

[John S. White]

Ed and Les:

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Elbaite is indeed often red, green or blue, but so is liddicoatite. Elbaite is the most common colorful tourmaline species; rubellite, indicolite, etc. are simply color varieties and could be either elbaite or liddicoatite, although the latter is far more rare than the former.

[Ed Huskinson]

Yeah John, I know. In the absence of a sword, I should fall on my Swiss Army Knife. I'm prepping everything to submit THE THING this evening. Thanks for the input.

Ed

[2 Bar A]

Good morning Les, the measurement across the bottom of the elbaite is 2cm. :-)

[2 Bar A]

I located the Mineralogical Record with my local online library and can view any issue right from my computer, very cool! I also have their website saved in my favorites folder. Thank you Ed for the recommendation.

[10:59] 2 Bar A: I am looking for a magazine called Mineralogical Record, do you have this?
[11:00] librarian: i will check our catalog
[11:00] 2 Bar A: Thank you
[11:02] librarian: I don't see this title in our catalog, i will check our databases to see if it is listed there. Do you need a particular date?
[11:03] librarian: I found full-text coverage of this title in Academic OneFile.
[11:03] librarian: Mar 1, 1990 - Current
[11:06] librarian: Is this useful?
[11:07] 2 Bar A: yes
[11:07] 2 Bar A: thank you so much
[11:08] 2 Bar A: how do I access the Academic OneFile? Is it in your library in Danville?
[11:11] librarian: you can access Academic OneFile at the library or from home. From home, you will need to enter your library card number.
[11:11] librarian: I will send you a link to the resource.
[11:11] librarian: Academic OneFile is the first resource listed from this link
[11:11] librarian: http(://)ccclib(.)org(/)researchcenter(/)
[11:11] librarian: When I was in Academic OneFile, I did a publication search on the Mineralogical Record.
[11:11] librarian: Depending on what you are looking for, you can do an Advanced search, etc.
[11:13] librarian: Thank you for using the LIbrary!