FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jordi Fabre]

Ojuela Mine is a mineralogical paradise...

[Jordi Fabre]

Ojuela Mine is a mineralogical paradise...

[Jordi Fabre]

One more from the Ojuela mineralogical paradise...

[Peter Megaw]

Found it...here's a plan map of the major orebodies...1906, so this is before the San Carlos drainage tunnel was driven and the mine level numbering got changed

[Pete Richards]

[Jordi Fabre]

Thanks Pete.

I already changed it a little bit.

[Jordi Fabre]

One of the more classic species from Ojuela Mine: the Adamite.

In this case the plus is its pedigree: a former John S. White specimen. Luxury! ;-)

[Jordi Fabre]

Another beauty from Ojuela

[Jim Prentiss]

Here is my exhibit for this forum thread.

[Michael Shaw]

This is a specimen that I've had in my collection since 1962. It was labeled "barthite" which according to MinRec is an overgrowth of conichalcite over austinite. I'd be interested to hear what the Mexico experts think. I'll post a few more Ojuela pieces when I get a chance.

Michael

[Jordi Fabre]

"Barthite" was used on the past as a synonim of a Cu-bearing austinite or overgrowths of conichalcite on Cu-bearing austinite but for my own experience it is a name frequently misused.
When I analyzed some specimen labeled as "Barthite" coming from old collections the result was always cuprian adamite, so I suggest to you analyze your sample.

Jordi

[Michael Shaw]

Yes Jordi, submitting the specimen for analysis is the only way I will be sure of its identity. I am still hoping that Ed H. or Peter M. might weigh in on this image based on their experience.

The attached image is a mimetite from the Ojuela Mine. The field of view is approximately 3 cm. wide.

[Jordi Fabre]

Another specimen of Legrandite, one of the more famous species at Ojuela Mine.

[Peter Megaw]

Recent Ojuela Beauties: I had the pleasure of starting the week at Arkenstone's opening party and finishing it at Mapimi in Mexico. Strangely a few things followed me home that might be of interest to some of you...thanks for the urging Gail. Rob had bought some of the pieces Jason New exhibited at Tucson this year and had them available. One of the pieces I got was a great malachite on matrix...cabinet size, blob is 3 cm across. Another is a TN of calcite with aurichalcite inclusions.

In Mexico all they had was some overpriced wulfenite, bashed fluorite and this superb hemimorphite ball on matrix...also a cabinet size. The trip wasn't wasted!

Locals tell me that the heavy rains this summer have flooded the lower levels a bit, but that they are still mining galena remnants whereever they can find them and some nice rare secondary lead/zinc species are emerging in very small quantities.

Rob also had a great old Flor de Pena legrandite plate...probably from the mid-70s find. We own this mine and this makes me want to check it out more thoroughly...maybe when things cool down.

[Ed Huskinson]

Holy cow Peter! Thanks for the info on sphalerite. You know me, i still use some of the old-tyme terminology, guess it dates me somewhat.

I like the Flor de Pena legrandite, thanks for posting the photo.

As for the green stuff, I've never analyzed it. Sometimes it's been sold as conichalcite, sometimes as austinite. The way I see it, it depended on the Mexican dealer's mood at the time.

Here's a blast from the past. Back in 1978 Bruce (Van Allen, deceased Colorado collector who specialized in minerals from Mapimi) and I made a run down to Mapimi and picked up a few minerals, including the attached "Mixonite" specimens. I cannot remember whether you were able to accompany us on that trip or not. Regardless, you should find the enclosed "Mixonite" photos interesting. I cannot remember which of the dealers was flogging these as "Mixonita", but we went with the flow and acquired them with pleasure.

I have seen none of this material in the last oh..., 20 or 30 years. Do you know anything specific as to the point (stope, area, whatever) of origin in Ojuela? Just curious.

Thanks,

Ed