FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jean Sendero]

I recently looked at some quartz scepters and reversed scepters reported to be from Nuevo Majalca in Chihuahua, Mexico. Upon examination, they look very similar to the ones of Mina Liliana, Chihuahua. The scepters, reversed scepters, transparency, to opacity, crystal shapes and matrix, seem to be very similar for both localities.

Is this the same locality?

Cheers

Jean

[Peter Megaw]

Yes, the Mina Liliana is on the Liliana Claims near the Rancho Nuevo Majalca. Mine is perhaps being generous since these are a series of surface workings/pits. Benny Fenn is owner of the claims but a lot has either escaped from his supervision or been mined without his permission. I once purchased a large lot of these crystals for very little money in the parking lot of the Sam's Club in Chihuahua. I told Benny about it and he told me that it sounded like the seller was his by then ex-foreman. My offer to give him the lot was refused.

Benny is the grand old man of minerals in Mexico. He and Elva have brought out the best of the San Pedro Corralitos Mimetites, Mina Mojina "cobra" Calcites and Celestine on Calcite, Mina El Pili Moonstones, Lazaro Cardenas Black Andradites, Sierra Mojina and Choix Smithsonites, Mesa del Huracan "Bytownites", and literally tons of great stuff from Naica, Charcas, Ojuela, Santa Eulalia and places no-one has heard of.

Allison and I visited them recently at the family rockshop/convenience store and gas station in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Got some nice rocks and then Benny insisted on pumping the gas for us...see below

[Jean Sendero]

Thanks Peter.