View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 18, 2013 10:15 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thank you Don. China has certainly been blessed with plenty of wonderful fluorite localities.
Today's post features the last of our specimens from the Huanggang Mine Complex.
Description: |
Andradite Huanggang Mine No 1., Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia AR, China 4.0 x 4.5 cm Dodecahedral crystals of brownish-black andradite associated with small quartz crystals. |
|
Viewed: |
31408 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Arsenopyrite Huanggang Mine No. 2, Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia AR, China 5.7 x 7.7 cm Radial aggregates of silvery metallic arsenopyrite crystals on a green hedenbergite.matrix. |
|
Viewed: |
31486 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Quartz Huanggang Mine No. 2, Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia AR, China 6.6 x 10.7 cm. A divergent spray of gray-green quartz crystals with smoky to amethystine cores and sceptered terminations. The prism faces consist of hundreds of small rhombohedral faces. |
|
Viewed: |
31397 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 20, 2013 10:53 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
With Inner Mongolia finished, next up is Jiangxi Province.
Description: |
Fluorite Xiefang Mine, Ruijin Co., Ganzhou Pref., Jiangxi Prov., China 3.6 x 6.4 cm Mint green cuboctahedral fluorite crystal with polysynthetic growth on a triangular shard of white quartz. |
|
Viewed: |
31326 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Xiefang Mine, Ruijin Co., Ganzhou Pref., Jiangxi Prov., China 4.8 x 7.0 cm Mint green cuboctahedral fluorite crystals on a matrix of quartz. |
|
Viewed: |
31422 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite De'an Mine, Wushan, De'an Co., Jiujiang Pref., Jiangxi Prov., China 12.0 x 13.2 cm Octahedral green fluorite crystals with purple edges etched from a plate of white quartz. |
|
Viewed: |
31317 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Stibnite Wuling Antimony Mine, Shaft #3, Qingjiang, Jiujiang Pref. Jiangxi Prov., China 0.9 x 18.3 cm Single, doubly-terminated, stibnite crystal with low-angle chisel terminations. |
|
Viewed: |
31310 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
|
Posted: Nov 20, 2013 13:32 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Beautiful quartz specimen from Huanggang Mine No.2 Michael (2121Quartz.jpg), I don't think I've seen that kind of structure before on quartz - thanks for showing it to us.
Also your octahedral fluorite plate from De'an Mine, Wushan (1714Fluorite.jpg) is remarkable. I was wondering if you obtained it as it is shown or did you have it prepared, if you don't mind me asking? And what reagent was it etched with!? I would have thought that HF acid would dissolve fluorite, but I don't know what else would dissolve quartz...
Best regards, Mike
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 20, 2013 15:57 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thanks for your comments Mike. The habit for the quartz from the Huanggang mine is not new, but specimens like the one I posted are apparently not too common in dealer stock (at least at the shows that I attend). I picked this one up at the Denver Show this past Sept. and there were only 2 dealers that had specimens similar to this.
Regarding the De'an mine fluorite - I acquired it as shown. I assume it was prepared in HF as I know of no other reagent that will dissolve quartz. The dangers associated with using HF are well known, so best to let well-equipped labs prepare these specimens.
Regards, Michael
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
|
Posted: Nov 20, 2013 16:31 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
"The dangers associated with using HF are well known, so best to let well-equipped labs prepare these specimens."
Absolutely. Thank you for your informative reply Michael.
Regards, Mike
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 25, 2013 10:41 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Today's post will feature Sichuan Province, home of fragrant and spicy cuisine and panda bears. In the mid to late 1990s, the mines/prospects at Mt. Xuebaoding produced countless specimens of scheelite, aquamarine, and cassiterite as well as less common species such as kesterite and mushitonite. Unfortunately, mineral specimens from this locale have become relatively scarce on dealer shelves today.
Description: |
Beryl var. aquamarine Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref., Sichuan Prov., China 4.5 x 6.6 cm Glassy pale blue aquamarine crystals resting on a matrix of silvery bladed muscovite. |
|
Viewed: |
30944 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Scheelite Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref., Sichuan Prov., China 4.7 x 6.6 cm Pseudo-octahedral orange scheelite crystals on silvery white muscovite. |
|
Viewed: |
30994 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Beryl var. aquamarine Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref., Sichuan Prov., China 3.6 x 4.9 cm Glassy pale blue aquamarine crystals associated with silvery bladed muscovite crystals. |
|
Viewed: |
30943 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Cassiterite Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref., Sichuan Prov., China 3.8 x 4.2 cm Lustrous black twinned cassiterite crystal with a semi-circular group of muscovite crystals on one side. |
|
Viewed: |
30952 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2856
Location: Arkansas
|
Posted: Nov 25, 2013 17:11 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Beautiful Scheelite, Michael.
_________________ hogwild |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2013 11:21 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thanks Don. The scheelite is one of my favorites. I wish I had acquired a few more when there were so many to be had.
Today's post will finish up Sichuan Province with some odds and ends from locations other than Mt. Xuebaoding.
Description: |
Baryte on quartz Jinkhouhe District, Leshan Pref., Sichuan Prov., China 10.0 x 12.0 cm Colorless transparent quartz crystals studded with milky white tabular Baryte crystals to 1 cm. |
|
Viewed: |
30820 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Quartz Hongquizhen Quarry, Meigu, Liangshan Pref., Sichuan Prov., China 7.5 x 9.0 cm Bladed, dark green epidote crystals scattered over a matrix of quartz crystals. |
|
Viewed: |
30817 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Quartz var. amethyst Hongquizhen Quarry, Meigu, Liangshan Pref., Sichuan Prov., China 6.5 x 7.0 cm Glassy amethyst crystals with groups of small, dark-green epidote crystals included within and on the surface of the quartz. |
|
Viewed: |
30802 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Baryte Xichang Co., Liangshan Aut. Pref., Sichuan Prov. China 7.2 x 8.5 cm Sharp, chiesel-shaped, golden-brown, Baryte crystals with steep terminations and subtle color zoning. |
|
Viewed: |
30845 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
GneissWare
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 1287
Location: California
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2013 11:32 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Very nice Chinese specimens. Xuebaoding is one of my favorite localities, but China has produced so many fine specimens and localities, of which you seem to be well represented.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2013 13:56 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Amazing specimens Michael. I particularly like the Baryte on quartz (1170 Quartz.jpg) - never seen such a thing before !
Regards, Mike
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2013 17:54 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thank you Bob, Mike, and Pierre. We have been very fortunate to experience a wealth of fantastic specimens during the past 20 years, as the Chinese mineral market developed. It will be interesting to see if the future supply changes as large mining companies take over some of the smaller mines. For example, the recent issue of Min. Rec. noted that a commercial mining company has purchased the Jinlong Hill prospects, which had been worked by artisinal miners for specimens. The new owners will send all of the hematite to the smelters, and It is estimated that the site will be worked out in 3-4 months. Also, I wonder if shows such as the recent Changsha Show will kindle a more local interest in mineral collecting?
Michael
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4105
Location: Germany
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Roger Warin
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 1176
|
Posted: Nov 28, 2013 07:59 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Beautiful, Michael. I particularly like the look of cassiterite.
Roger.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 28, 2013 10:11 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thank you Tobi and Roger. I'll have to see if they have any photos of the Clara Mine Barytes on Mindat, Tobi. I don't have any specimens from the Clara Mine in my collection.
Michael
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Dec 02, 2013 11:28 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
With today's post, I will show the only mineral specimen in our collection from Xinjiang and start on Yunnan, the last of the Chinese provinces for which we have specimens.
The almandine from Xinjiang has a little story which I'll relate. About 20 years ago, our son had a Chinese classmate in school. We invited his family to our home for dinner one evening, and while talking about our interests, I showed them a few minerals including several from China. Later that summer, I received a call from the father. He said he had just returned from visiting his family in China and he had something for me. When we met, he gave me the 2 garnets pictured below and a "wind erosion stone" from Xinjiang. The latter was accompanied by a written description (in Chinese) of the 5 ornamental stones that the Chinese valued. While not catalogued in my collection, the wind erosion stone occupies a prominent place on my display shelf.
Description: |
Almandine Altay No. 3 mine, Fuyun Co., Xinjiang Aut. Reg., China 2.8 cm, 3.7 cm Loose dark red-brown, dodacahedral garnet crystals with trapezohedral modifications. |
|
Viewed: |
30384 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Wind erosion stone Xinjaing Autonomous Region, China 6.7 cm. |
|
Viewed: |
30408 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Babingtonite Qiaojia Co, Zhaotong Pref., Yunnan Prov., China 4.8 x 5.9 cm Tabular black babingtonite crystals associated with pale green prehnite and colorless quartz crystals |
|
Viewed: |
30349 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Hemimorphite Wenshan Mine, Wenshan Co., Wenshan Pref., Yunnan Prov. China 8.0 x 11.5 cm |
|
Viewed: |
30374 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Roger Warin
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 1176
|
Posted: Dec 02, 2013 11:49 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Hello,
When I was a student, I was enthralled by the symmetry of garnets. It is a nice entry into crystallography.
Roger.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2856
Location: Arkansas
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
|
Posted: Dec 02, 2013 19:02 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
I too am enthralled by the 'wind erosion stone'. I love things like that. I'm sure your Chinese friend meant it as a very special gift. The two garnets are nice also.
Nice story Michael, thanks so much for sharing it.
Sincerely, Mike
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2067
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Dec 04, 2013 09:35 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thanks for your comments Roger, Don, and Mike. At the time it was given to me, I didn't understand the full significance of the wind erosion stone. After reading the recent Mineralogical Record Supplement on Crystalline Treasures of China, I was surprised to learn of the immense interest in stones such as these. In case you don't take the MR, I will mention that there are millions of "viewing stone" enthusiasts in China. They even have a collector's magazine, a government-administered viewing stone organization, and viewing stone museums and parks. You hit the nail on the head Mike, this was clearly a special gift.
A few more from Yunnan Province today, and this will finish up our China collection.
Michael
Description: |
Calcite Wenshan Mine, Wenshan Co., Yunnan Prov., China 4.0 x 14.0 cm A divergent group of elongate colorless scalenohedral calcite crystals. |
|
Viewed: |
30187 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Calcite Wenshan Mine, Wenshan Co., Yunnan Prov., China 5.7 x 7.3 cm A thin plate composed of small colorless calcite crystals with a second generation of larger scalenohedral calcites lining the top of the plate. |
|
Viewed: |
30198 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Dongchuan orefield, Kunming Pref., Yunnan Prov., China 6.5 x 6.7 cm These things have always fascinated me. Concentric rings of metallic pyrite encircling a spherical slate concretion. |
|
Viewed: |
30261 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|