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CircleTour1977
Joined: 29 Jun 2015
Posts: 1
Location: Minneapolis


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Posted: Jun 29, 2015 04:12 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Hello, I just visited the Seaman Museum while on a trip to immerse myself in the culture of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
It was profound to say the least, and basically messed with my emotions. The impression on me is so significant that I have to ask if the minerals themselves are capable of affecting people. That sounds hokey, but at the point the impossible seems probable.
To put it in perspective there are two examples that best describe the impact. The first is the spell of the Arkenstone on Thorin in The Hobbit. However, picture Thorin newly discovering a cavern filled with a thousand equally powerful Arkenstones.
The second example is an alternate version of my own experience of seeing my wife for the first time. However it would have been the bewildering experience of walking in to a convention of a couple thousand women who look exactly like my wife.
I have to cite both of these scenarios as I really felt some weird mixture of love and lust. This is definitely one of the most significant experiences of my life. On top of it all, I am not a mineral enthusiast. This is the first mineral exhibit I have ever seen.
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John Jaszczak

Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Posts: 300
Location: Hancock, MI



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Posted: Jul 06, 2015 14:10 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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On June 12 the copper slab was readied for raising off of the truck and onto its new stand.
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Unwrapped and ready to be raised off of the trailer. |
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Being placed by an 80-ton crane on its new stand using the custom-made straps that were originally used to raise the copper off of the bottom of Lake Superior. |
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The crane operator was skilled enough to move the boulder only a few millimeters to allow the straps to be set free and removed for final placement. |
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The talented team from Julio Contracting Co., who successfully moved the copper slab into place, along with the designer and the fabricator of the stand. |
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Bob Barron in front of his most famous discovery and project. |
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_________________ Adjunct Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Professor of Physics
Michigan Technological University |
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John Jaszczak

Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Posts: 300
Location: Hancock, MI



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Posted: Jul 08, 2015 10:44 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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A pavilion is being constructed around the copper boulder slab. Here is the progress.
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The steel frame is hexagonal in footprint. |
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Walls and roof are up and awaiting installation of windows and fencing. |
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_________________ Adjunct Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Professor of Physics
Michigan Technological University |
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John Jaszczak

Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Posts: 300
Location: Hancock, MI



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Posted: Jan 24, 2016 21:45 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Here is something pretty special in the museum's collection that was acquired recently- a twinned diamond crystal from the Diavik Mine, Lac de Gras, Northwest Territories, Canada. The individual crystals are of the "cavernous" or "re-entrant" cubic habit more commonly known from Botswana. The crystal is currently on display in the museum for all to enjoy.
Mineral: | Diamond |
Locality: | El Bonanza Mine, Port Radium District, Great Bear Lake, Mackenzie District, Northwest Territories, Canada |  |
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Dimensions: | 10.5x10x6 mm |
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This twinned crystal is 2.71 ct. |
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Mineral: | Diamond |
Locality: | El Bonanza Mine, Port Radium District, Great Bear Lake, Mackenzie District, Northwest Territories, Canada |  |
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Dimensions: | 10.5x10x6 mm |
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This crystal also fluoresces bright yellow in long wave ultraviolet light. Unfortunately the camera sensor picks up purple reflections that are not visible to the eye. |
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_________________ Adjunct Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Professor of Physics
Michigan Technological University |
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John Jaszczak

Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Posts: 300
Location: Hancock, MI



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Posted: Jan 25, 2016 22:50 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Here is a smaller (~2.5 mm) un-twinned re-entrant diamond crystal that the museum has had for many years. It is from the Donald C. Gabriel collection, and is reportedly from Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Gabriel acquired this and a few other diamond crystals from Sidney Krandell in 1943.
Mineral: | Diamond |
Locality: | Kasaï, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) |  |
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Dimensions: | approximately 2.5 mm |
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as viewed down one of the <111> axes. |
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Mineral: | Diamond |
Locality: | Kasaï, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) |  |
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Dimensions: | approximately 2.5 mm |
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close up view of the facets on one of the 3-fold corners. |
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Mineral: | Diamond |
Locality: | Kasaï, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) |  |
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Dimensions: | approximately 2.5 mm |
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_________________ Adjunct Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Professor of Physics
Michigan Technological University |
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Woody Thompson
Joined: 08 Mar 2010
Posts: 60
Location: Maine


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Posted: Jan 30, 2016 08:15 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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That huge copper slab has a patina and prominent parallel grooves on one side (clearly seen in the "Precise" photo showing the slab about to be hoisted into place). Being a Pleistocene geologist, I wonder if they're glacial grooves (value added!!) ? Or maybe slickensides?
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Susan Robinson
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
Posts: 163
Location: Hancock, MI


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Posted: Jan 30, 2016 10:48 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Some sheets of copper from the Nonesuch shale from the White Pine mine that may be slickensides, but the large pieces of float copper which show prominent grooves in them are most likely from glacial action.
George Robinson
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Woody Thompson
Joined: 08 Mar 2010
Posts: 60
Location: Maine


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Posted: Jan 30, 2016 15:18 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Thanks, George! Few mineral "specimens" of any size survive the glacial grinding mill. The glacial markings really do add a lot of interest to this already remarkable copper.
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John Jaszczak

Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Posts: 300
Location: Hancock, MI



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Posted: Jan 30, 2016 18:39 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Hi Woody. You should come and visit us and see it in person! - John
_________________ Adjunct Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Professor of Physics
Michigan Technological University |
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Woody Thompson
Joined: 08 Mar 2010
Posts: 60
Location: Maine


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Posted: Jan 30, 2016 21:04 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Yes, we really must get out there for a visit. Thanks, John!
Woody
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Robert Seitz
Joined: 29 Dec 2015
Posts: 261
Location: Phoenix, AZ



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Posted: Jan 30, 2016 21:11 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Great mineral museum. I have been in Houghton on recruiting trips about 2 X yearly for last several years & try to visit each time. Good to see what's new as well as old favorites.
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John Jaszczak

Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Posts: 300
Location: Hancock, MI



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Posted: Feb 13, 2016 10:44 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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The Royal Ontario Museum and the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum collaborated on this display at the 2016 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
Mineral: | Smithsonite |
Locality: | Masua Mine, Masua, Iglesias, Sud Sardegna Province, Sardinia/Sardegna, Italy |  |
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The two halves of this stalactite were separated in 1956 and are here reunited for the first time. The piece on the right is part of the University of Michigan Mineral Collection (and curated by the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum under the new Michigan Mineral Alliance) |
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_________________ Adjunct Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Professor of Physics
Michigan Technological University |
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John Jaszczak

Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Posts: 300
Location: Hancock, MI



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Posted: Feb 13, 2016 22:19 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Associate Curator Christopher Stefano assembled a case of great minerals donated to the museum by Paul and Janet Clifford (Cleveland, Ohio) to display this year in Tucson. I have known Paul and Janet since about 1980. Sorry they couldn't make it to Tucson this year. We appreciate their support.
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Selection of minerals donated by Paul and Janet Clifford to the museum. |
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_________________ Adjunct Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Professor of Physics
Michigan Technological University |
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Jamison Brizendine
Joined: 27 Feb 2014
Posts: 128
Location: Northeast Ohio



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Posted: Feb 15, 2016 10:46 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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Hi John,
Thanks for posting the specimens that the Clifford's donated! I know both of them through our club in Cleveland, Ohio.
I will let them know that you posted a picture of some of their specimens, I think they would appreciate it. I would like to see more of their collection if you have some spare time. They have an outstanding collection.
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John Jaszczak

Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Posts: 300
Location: Hancock, MI



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Posted: Mar 31, 2016 11:29 Post subject: Re: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan |
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A famous specimen of silver crystals on copper formerly in the John T. Reeder collection.
Mineral: | Silver on Copper |
Locality: | Kearsarge Mine, Kearsarge, Houghton County, Michigan, USA |  |
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Dimensions: | 5.8 cm wide |
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Excellent elongated silver crystals on a base of copper that was chiseled off of a larger mass. |
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_________________ Adjunct Curator, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Professor of Physics
Michigan Technological University |
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