FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[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!

[2 Bar A]

Back to the collection, I have about 130 more pieces to identify, so here goes...

[Ed Huskinson]

Yep. Calcite. That's what I'd call it. Looks zoned. If you would be so kind as to post a photograph of the entire specimen one of us will be able to tell you where it's from. That should do it. If not, then a shot of the backside so we can see the matrix is called for.

This is fun, eh?

[2 Bar A]

Here is another view of #8

[2 Bar A]

Totally fun!

[2 Bar A]

And the other side

[Les Presmyk]

I had to leave something for John to comment on. I had not forgotten about liddicotite but just wanted to start the discussion about getting away from using tourmaline all of the time.

This calcite is going to be a bit tougher for a locality. Just keep them coming. My comments about trimming the lepidolite matrix were made before I checked the dimensions. The lepidolite probably does not need trimming but if the elbaite fits back on without any gaps then I recommend it be repaired.

Yes, this is fun, especially being out of touch for day and catching up on all of the activity.

[Singingstone48]

Hi,
You said you inherited this collection, correct? Many of us may be curious to know who the collector was and where he lived, and some of us might even know him. The specimens you have posted so far are better than you see in many mineral collections and show some care and intent in collecting. I'm not sure I completely understood your post. Did you inherit this collection 20 years ago? Or was the collection put together then and you just inherited it now? Just curious. Someday my daughter will have my collection, and I hope to leave it to her with the majority of the specimens catalogued and identified.

[Les Presmyk]

Steve, you read my mind. Thanks for asking all of the questions that inquiring minds want to know. This sure beats looking at another collection where the lady owned a gift shop and broke off all of the crystals to sell as trinkets.

[Ed Huskinson]

Hey everybody!!

I have something in my collection that is this calcite's twin bother. Or sister. But I cannot find lay my hand to it at the moment because it's buried in the mineral room somewhere. By buried I mean it would take a trackhoe with a 2 yard bucket and 18 ft reach to unearth it.

Here however, is a picture of one from the same area of the mine (Thanks Steve!!). It's from the Mariposa Mine, California Hill, Terlingua Mercury District, Brewster County, Texas. This one came to grass (as Bob Jones likes to say) easily, because I have it in my systematic collection under carbonates/calcite. It's a phantom with a bit of clayish material deposited on an interior plane. The one that is a twin to 2 Bar's displays the same phenomenon, except the coating material is cinnabar, bright red, just like 2-Bar's specimen.

I must admit that it would be a singularly remarkable coincidence if both calcites were of the same provenance. The Terlingua material is not well-known, although there is stuff out there. Most notable the phosphorescent calcite from Terlingua. Light it up with SW UV, turn the light off, and it glows for well over a minute. Except. All of this highly phosphorescent material that I have seen has been massive, no crystal faces, and it is white, generally with a reddish patch or patches (which appear to be due to the included HgS). I'll try this little crystal and we'll see if it fluoresces. If so, then we may have a diagnostic test for 2-Bar's calcite.

Sound reasonable? I'm off to buy batteries for the UV light.

Ed

[2 Bar A]

I discovered the collection in my basement ~ 1991. I was renting a house in Berkeley at the time. My landlord told me it had belonged to his ex-wife's family but had been left behind when she moved out. He did not want it and said I could have it. I don’t have any more information than that.