FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Tobi]

[Carles Millan]

[Carles Millan]

The renowned ethologist and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins asked me for permission some time ago to include a photo of a Navajun pyrite from my collection in his projected book Outgrowing God: A Beginner’s Guide as a little help to back his theories about biological evolution. And finally, here it is.

The original specimen photo in full color can be seen at FMF by clicking here.

Free software for mineral collectors, more photos and some maps

[Don Lum]

Congratulations Carles. A great honor to a very deserving person.

Regards,

Don

[Tobi]

[Carles Millan]

[Carles Millan]

[Carles Millan]

Rhodonite, quartz, sphalerite, pyrite

Group of transparent, sharp, well-defined, bright pink rhodonite crystals, associated with more than a dozen colorless and bright quartz crystals, upon a matrix formed by brown to black sphalerite and minor pyrite. The entire specimen measures 53mm x 52mm x 40mm, and the main rhodonite crystals are approximately 10mm tall, 6mm wide, and 1mm thick. Mass: 112g. It comes from the 2007 find at the Chiurucu mine, where mining works stopped long ago, and not far from the famous Huanzala mine, in the district of Huallanca, Peru.

Overall size: 53mm x 52mm x 40mm. Main rhodonite crystal: 10mm tall, 6mm wide, 1mm thick. Mass: 112g.

From San Martín Mine, Chiurucu, Huallanca District, Bolognesi Province, Áncash, Peru.

A better photo from this specimen has been added here.

References:
"The Mineralogical Record": 28/4, 56-57.
"Peru Paradise of Minerals", Jaroslav Hyršl et al, 116 and 165-167.
"Moore's Compendium of Mineral Discoveries", Vol II, 430.

Free software for mineral collectors, more photos and some maps

[jose luis jara jara]

Rhodonite, a very interesting mineral, I am very attracted to its color and crystals

[Tobi]

[Carles Millan]

[Enrique Llorens]

Carles, a very nice Rhodonite.

Regards.

[Carles Millan]

[Carles Millan]

Rhodonite - CaMn₃Mn(SiO₃)₅, quartz, sphalerite, pyrite

This is, I hope, a better photo, now shot by myself, of the specimen previously featured here.

Group of transparent, sharp, well-defined, bright pink rhodonite crystals, associated with more than a dozen colorless and bright quartz crystals, upon a matrix formed by brown to black sphalerite and minor pyrite. The entire specimen measures 53mm x 52mm x 40mm, and the main rhodonite crystals are approximately 10mm tall, 6mm wide, and 1mm thick. Mass: 112g. It comes from the 2007 find at the Chiurucu mine, where mining works stopped long ago, and not far from the famous Huanzala mine, in the district of Huallanca, Peru.

The color of that specimen, the crystals being so thin, is highly variable depending on the screen settings and the kind of light: solar, fluorescent, led, halogen, incandescent... For making things easier I just used the fluorescent light I have in my showcases and then processed the image without increasing the saturation, unlike many professional photographers do.

Overall size: 53mm x 52mm x 40mm. Main rhodonite crystal: 10mm tall, 6mm wide, 1mm thick. Mass: 112g.

From San Martín Mine, Chiurucu, Huallanca District, Bolognesi Province, Áncash, Peru.

References:
"The Mineralogical Record": 28/4, 56-57.
"Peru Paradise of Minerals", Jaroslav Hyršl et al, 116 and 165-167.
"Moore's Compendium of Mineral Discoveries", Vol II, 430.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are copyright by Carles Millan. Reproduction allowed as long as the author's name is cited and the image not modified (if it is not too much to ask...). Creative Commons Attribution Licence - Some Rights Reserved.

Free software for mineral collectors, more photos and some maps

[Tobi]