View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Oct 28, 2013 12:18 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Hunan Province is blessed with great mineral wealth, including the world's largest antimony mine. The Xikuangshan deposit produces half the world supply of antimony and has provided thousands of stibnite specimens for the mineral market. Likewise, the Jiepaiyu Mine at Shimen is one of the world's largest realgar deposits. This mine has produced realgar for medicinal purposes since the 6th Century AD. Numerous other mines in the province are prolific producers of beautiful mineral specimens including the Shangbao, Xianghualing, Leiping, and Shuikoushan to name a few. In the next several posts, I have chosen to show minerals from several well-known locales in Hunan Province.
Description: |
Realgar Jiepaiyu Mine, Shimen, Changde Pref,, Hunan Prov., China 6.5 x 7.8 cm Bright red realgar crystals covering the top surface of massive realgar. Obtained from Peter Wu at the 1990 Denver Show. |
|
Viewed: |
35481 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Realgar Jiepaiyu Mine, Shimen, Changde Pref., Hunan Prov., China 4.5 x 6.4 cm. Lustrous cherry-red realgar crystals on a silicified gray matrix with small tufts of acicular white picropharmacolite. |
|
Viewed: |
35372 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Calcite Jiepaiyu Mine, Shimen, Changde Pref., Hunan Prov., China 7.5 x 8.2 cm Sharp pale yellow, scalenohedral calcite crystals on massive gray calcite matrix. Several smaller crystals on the base have inclusions of realgar. |
|
Viewed: |
35375 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Calcite Jiepaiyu Mine, Shimen, Changde Pref., Hunan Prov., China 6.5 x 7.5 cm. Sharp pale yellow, somewhat flattened scalenohedral crystals with minor realgar inclusions. |
|
Viewed: |
35370 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2854
Location: Arkansas
|
Posted: Oct 28, 2013 17:08 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Michael,
I really like those two realgar specimens.
Beautiful!!!
Don
_________________ hogwild |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Josele
Joined: 10 Apr 2012
Posts: 405
Location: Tarifa, Spain
|
Posted: Oct 28, 2013 18:36 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Don Lum wrote: | ... I really like those two realgar specimens. ... |
Absolutely in accord, the second one is just wonderfull!
Thanks for sharing these delicatessen.
_________________ Josele |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Oct 29, 2013 08:10 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thanks Don and Josele. Here a few more calcites from Hunan.
Michael
Description: |
Calcite Manaoshan Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov.. China 6.3 x 8.5 cm Flattened pale pinkish calcite rhombs with preferential druse of pyrite on the crystal edges. |
|
Viewed: |
35350 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Calcite Leiping Mine, Guiyang Co., Chenzhou Pref,, Hunan Prov., China 11.0 x 15.0 cm. Milky white Calcite crystals terminated by a steep pyramid and tinged reddish brown with iron oxides. |
|
Viewed: |
35305 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Calcite Leiping Mine, Guiyang Co., Chenzhou Pref,, Hunan Prov., China 5.0 x 5.2 cm A group of colorless calcite crystals with clearly visible hematite-coated,reddish brown scalenohedral phantoms. |
|
Viewed: |
35344 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Oct 31, 2013 10:20 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
In today's post I will feature some specimens that I have assembled from one of China's greatest specimen producing mines, the Yaogangxian mine. Some may not agree with this assessment, but since I am a sucker for well crystallized metallic ore minerals, it's easy to see how I developed this opinion. The tungsten mine at Mt. Yaogangxian lies in southern Hunan and early mining began there during World War I. Mining continues today and we can only hope that beautiful mineral specimens from the Yaogangxian mine continue to reach western markets for years to come.
Description: |
Ferberite Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Province, China 5.1 x 7.6 cm. Striated black ferberite crystals in parallel growth associated with pale purple fluorite cubes to 1.7 cm. |
|
Viewed: |
35280 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Arsenopyrite Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Province, China 6.0 x 8.2 cm. Silvery metallic arsenopyrite crystals to 1.5 cm scattered on a breccia matrix coated with pale olive-green micro crystals of what may be chamosite. |
|
Viewed: |
35328 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Stannite Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Province, China 5.0 x 5.2 cm. Rounded metallic gray stannite crystals associated with bright brassy pyrite. |
|
Viewed: |
35268 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 04, 2013 13:14 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
A few more from the Yaogangxian Mine.
Description: |
Ferberite Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 5.2 x 6.0 cm Multiple striated, black, bladed crystals in parallel growth with quartz. |
|
Viewed: |
35086 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 5.5 x 8.0 cm Several interconnected purple fluorite crystals with thin dark purple rims associated with minor quartz. |
|
Viewed: |
35232 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Scheelite Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 4.0 x 4.5 cm Lustrous brown scheelite crystals on a milky quartz matrix. |
|
Viewed: |
35062 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Bournonite Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 4.0 x 5.2 cm A single floater of bright metallic bournonite with minor quartz. |
|
Viewed: |
35073 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Bournonite Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 4.0 x 5.2 cm Same specimen as above. Difficult to photograph with so many reflective faces. |
|
Viewed: |
35067 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 06, 2013 10:53 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
More from Hunan Province, but moving to another prolific specimen producing mine - The Shangbao Mine.
Description: |
Fluorite Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hunan Prov., China 5.9 x 7.5 cm Glassy fluorite crystals with pale purple centers, frosted octahedral faces, and transparent cube faces. |
|
Viewed: |
35069 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hunan Prov., China 4.0 x 5.3 cm. Transparent pale green fluorite cubes with purple cores and stepped growth associated with quartz and pyrite. |
|
Viewed: |
35045 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hunan Prov., China 4.5 x 5.0 cm Pale blue cubic fluorite with purple phantoms resting on a matrix of pale beige dolomite crystals. |
|
Viewed: |
35071 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Quartz Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hunan Prov., China 5.5 x 6.5 cm. A divergent group of silky-lustered quartz crystals with a bluish-gray coloration due to microscopic inclusions of an unknown mineral. Prismatic silver bismuthinite crystals are present as well as minor purple fluorite and pyrite. |
|
Viewed: |
35044 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Quartz Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hunan Prov., China 5.3 x 7.0 cm Two intersecting blue-gray crystals with secondary crystal growth along the length of the prism, creating an "artichoke" habit. Collected in 2007. |
|
Viewed: |
35055 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hunan Prov., China 4.3 x 6.8 cm Pale purple, cuboctahedral, multi-stepped crystals with light green cores. Mined in 2008. |
|
Viewed: |
35032 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2854
Location: Arkansas
|
Posted: Nov 06, 2013 12:47 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Michael,
I like your specimens from Shangbao, especially 1444 and 1566.
Don
_________________ hogwild |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GneissWare
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 1287
Location: California
|
Posted: Nov 06, 2013 15:53 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Nice specimens, Michael.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Roger Warin
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 1171
|
Posted: Nov 06, 2013 16:47 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
As always, perfect. It is a pleasure to repeat.
Roger.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Greg Lilly
Joined: 05 May 2013
Posts: 75
Location: Tauranga
|
Posted: Nov 06, 2013 17:20 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Don Lum wrote: | Michael,
I like your specimens from Shangbao, especially 1444 and 1566.
Don |
Me too, I especially like #1444 with its simple cubes, they are often so modified from this location
Greg
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 06, 2013 17:47 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thank you Don, Bob, Roger, and Greg.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 09, 2013 12:25 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Continuing with minerals from Hunan Province.
Description: |
Fluorite Xianghualing Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 5.5 x 7.3 cm Intergrown group of green cubic fluorite crystals draped with colorless calcite crystals. |
|
Viewed: |
34748 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Xianghualing Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 6.6 x 7.3 cm Two blue-green octahedral fluorite crystals with flattened rhombs of colorless calcite. |
|
Viewed: |
34762 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Calcite Xianghualing Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 9.2 x 10.7 Colorless flattened calcite rhombs with striated faces and serrated edges. |
|
Viewed: |
34719 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Calcite Manaoshan Mine, Linwu Co, Chenzhou Pref, Hunan Prov., China 9.0 x 15.0 cm. Sharp, pale pink flattened rhombs stacked one atop another. Exhibits strong orange fluorescence under SW and LW UV. |
|
Viewed: |
34800 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 11, 2013 11:29 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
The last of our specimens from Hunan.
Description: |
Fluorite Xianghuapu Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 6.6 x 8.5 cm Glassy cubic green fluorite crystals to 2.7 cm on edge with cloudy gray phantoms and dodecahedral modifications. |
|
Viewed: |
34632 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Stibnite Xikuangshan Mine, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref., Hunan Prov., China 4.0 x 9.5 cm Lustrous crystals, several exhibiting bent forms, with creamy white calcite from the largest antimony deposit in the world. |
|
Viewed: |
34633 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Xianghuapu Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 5.5 x 6.5 cm Pale green, transparent crystals with cube {100} and dodecahedron {110} forms. |
|
Viewed: |
34643 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Stibnite Xikuangshan Mine, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref., Hunan Prov., China 6.5 x 8.5 cm. Slender lustrous stibnite crystals emanating from a central point with a second generation of smaller crystals growing along the lower half of the prism. |
|
Viewed: |
34700 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Chashan Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Pref., Hunan Prov., China 4.5 x 6.0 cm Intergrown group of gemmy bluish-green fluorite crystals resting on a crystallized quartz matrix. |
|
Viewed: |
34684 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 13, 2013 09:50 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
In my last post I finished showing our collection of minerals from Hunan Province. Today I will continue the journey through China with a new province, or more accurately, Autonomous Region. Mineral specimens from Inner Mongolia burst on the scene about 4 years ago, and since then, the Huanggang mine complex in Chifeng Prefecture has been producing a steady supply of wonderful mineral specimens. The Mineralogical Record, Vol. 43, #5 gives a detailed description of the deposits, and illustrates the diverse array of minerals from the 7 mines working this skarn deposit. The mineral assemblage at Huanggang has been likened to that of Dal'negorsk, and it has become a classic contemporary location seemingly overnight.
Description: |
Arsenopyrite Huanggang Mine #2, Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref,, Inner Mongolia AR, China 4.3 x 5.0 cm Radial aggregate of bright arsenopyrite crystals. |
|
Viewed: |
34513 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Ilvaite Huanggang Complex, Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref,, Inner Mongolia AR, China 3.0 x 4.5 cm Semi-lustrous prismatic ilvaite crystal oriented in parallel with a quartz crystal showing “artichoke” growth habit. |
|
Viewed: |
34471 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Huanggang Mine #5, Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref,, Inner Mongolia AR, China 3.8 x 5.2 cm Colorless transparent octahedral fluorite crystals on a matrix of silvery löllingite. |
|
Viewed: |
34501 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
|
Posted: Nov 15, 2013 13:37 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Excellent specimens and photo's as usual Michael. Looking forward to seeing more from Huanggang Mine - what a fascinating deposit of skarn minerals.
Mike
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 15, 2013 13:52 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thanks Mike. Here are a few more from the Huanggang Complex in Inner Mongolia.
Description: |
Calcite Huanggang Complex, Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia AR, China 4.2 x 6.5 cm A group of zoned pale pink manganoan calcite crystals that exhibits bright red fluorescence under SW UV light. |
|
Viewed: |
34252 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Löllingite Huanggang Mine #5, Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia AR, China 5.2 x 7.1 cm Polycrystalline growths of spear-shaped, lustrous, silvery löllingite crystals with quartz and minor dolomite. |
|
Viewed: |
34194 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Fluorite Huanggang Complex, Keshiketeng Co., Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia AR, China 3.9 x 5.0 cm Two colorless transparent fluorite crystals with cubo-octahedral form and dodecahedral modifications on the edges. |
|
Viewed: |
34176 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Roger Warin
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 1171
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2060
Location: Oklahoma
|
Posted: Nov 16, 2013 11:23 Post subject: Re: Collection of Michael Shaw |
|
|
Thank you Roger. I think the radial aggregates of arsenopyrite from the Huanggang complex are among the most aesthetic found anywhere. I have several and will photograph a couple more today and show them in the next post.
Michael
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2854
Location: Arkansas
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|