FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[David]

Although Ukraine has a large mining industry, I see few specimens coming from Ukraine. Why is that? Are there interesting minerals there? From what I see, they have some amazing heliodors and cinnabars. What else?

[SteveB]

Certainly there are interesting minerals in every country on earth. Ukraine is in a region of war and politcal unrest in recent years so they've had plenty of other concerns than a mere hobby. No doubt many great specimens have gone through the crushers in the mining industry for resource and economic needs. Fossicking in troubled regions is less relaxing when you may get shot or maimed from unexploded ordnance. There will be specimens continuously emerging but in small numbers and getting them out of the country may be difficult too.

This raises an interesting thought. Countries recovering from conflict anywhere in the world need to rebuild economically as well as their physical infrastructure. I imagine it presents opportunities for building relationships with the locals involved in road building activities to keep an eye out for interesting specimens while bulldozing etc.

I just think local troubles is the root reason, remember this is a hobby, which requires a stable economy and safety for the public to take an interest in. Mining is about money and crystals are the purest form of a resource and its only been in recent years that some mines have taken the extra time to set aside attractive specimens to sell to hobbyists market. Otherwise its just quicker and easier to crush everything for a better yield of a resource in a shorter time span. Part of the problem with war torn areas is you lose the generational inheritance of the hobby, just think how many of us have happy memories of fossicking with our parents when we were children. People today who didn't grow up understanding the fun of a hobby don't have the deep interest I feel, instead they see hobbies as things to make a quick buck on.

[Peter Lemkin]

Here in Czech Republic I still see new lovely minerals from Volodarsk-Volinskiy coming to shows or sold to dealers and collectors who know the persons still mining [for specimens] there. The Western 2/3 of Ukraine is not so affected by the violence in the Eastern third - and the tension in the South with Krim [Crimea].

[David]

Hello Steve,

Thank you for your reply! I would say that most countries must have interesting minerals, every country sits on some sort of minerals. However, I am a bit skeptical that very small countries like Monaco, Vatican, San Marino, Nauru, Seychelles, Singapore or other tiny island nations produce interesting minerals. I might just be wrong :) If anyone has minerals in their collection from these countries, please let us know, that would be very interesting.
I am well aware about the unfortunate situation in Ukraine, as it is something that concerns the entire region. However, I imagine we should have seen specimens prior to this crisis. Plus, Ukraine is a very big country, not all regions were affected to the same extent. And I suppose that economic activity, including mining, must go on.
Regarding the opportunity to rebuild the infrastructure, that happens if you still have the land to build upon. I think Ukraine and its mining industry deserve a brighter future! Any Ukranian collectors here, by the way?

[Jordi Fabre]

[Peter Lemkin]

I have a friend who is a collector and he just spent a year getting at least one specimen from EVERY nation recognized by the United Nations - including the Vatican. In some cases he wrote to the head of some agency in those nations, and found them very happy to comply. However, many of those specimens were not very special. The one, above, from Fiji is VERY impressive!!!

As for minerals from Ukraine, generally, I was to the Mineral Museum in St. Petersberg, and it has thousands of FANTASTIC mineral specimens from Ukraine! Topaz up to 50Kg and nicely formed morion quartz XX the size of cars - and others.

[David]

Thank you very much, that looks amazing! Good thing I didn't mention Fiji :)

[David]

Hello, Peter!

Your friend had a very cool idea, that is an interesting criteria for a collection. Especially considering that Geography was my first passion. I was thinking about that, but I find this undertaking to be very difficult, as you've mentioned.
Just an idea, it would be nice to have a giant map on the wall, with a transparent display case in front of it and put every specimen in front of the country of origin. :).
I would love to see that!
Do you think your friend would be willing to share some details? This is so amazing, I'm sure others would like to hear about this.
A mineral from Vatican? Vaticanite? Sweet! Hope it's not from the Vatican wall.
I would love to visit Sankt Petersburg, good yo know, thanks!

[Robert Seitz]

[Peter Lemkin]

[David]

Peter,

Such a pity your friend is not on this forum, I bet he has a lot of interesting stories to tell about his collection.
You are totally right about borders and yes, it is strange, but I like strange ideas. For some, collecting rough minerals might seem strange. They could say: I understand jewels, but rough minerals? You actually pay for rocks? But you can find rocks anywhere!
I am willing to hear the story about any sort of collection. OK, as long as it is not something macabre or things like that. It is interesting to see things, maybe usual things, from a different perspective. Plus, I do find passionate people to be fascinating. Especially if they know how to tell a story.

[Riccardo Modanesi]

Hi to everybody! As a matter of fact there is a possibility for a mineral to be mined in Vatican territory. The Pope's villa in Castelgandolfo near Rome belongs to the Vatican state and its terrain ends on the Albano Laziale lake, whose sand and origin are volcanic!
Greetings from Italy by Riccardo.

[David]

Riccardo,

Thank you, that was so funny, so there might be a chance for Vaticanite, Gandalfite, or Francisite, if someone finds a new mineral there. :)
Any idea regarding San Marino? Can you find something on Monte Titano?

[Riccardo Modanesi]

Hi to everybody, hi David!
Well, Monte Titano is mostly sedimentary, fossils are more likely to be found there, but sulphur mines in Perticara are not too far from there! However it's likely to find chalcite and/or aragonite in the Republic of San Marino. But the biggest majority of people doesn't know we have another independent State included in the Italian territory: its name is Granducate of Seborga, close to San Remo. You may look for it on Internet. It is interesting even form a geological point of view, as well as the whole Ligurian inland
Greetings from Italy by Riccardo

[David]

Hello, Riccardo,

Thank you very much for your answer! I see that the Perticara mines are now closed. Amazing specimens! But aragonite and calcite would do for me. I haven't been using my rock pick in a while because of the covid restrictions. In fact, I was planning to visit Italy just before the crisis started, I even made reservations. I wanted to attend the Bologna Mineral Show in March and also take some sightseeings, but sadly I had to cancel. I understand that the show eventually took place recently, at the end of May. I wonder if the number of participants was at a normal level.
I've never heard about the Granducate of Seborgia (only Seaborgium comes to my mind), but I'm not surprised. I've googled it and doesn't seem to be an independent state, although it was at some point in history, like many other Italian cities. I understand that it is more like ceremonial. Plus, it is a tiny town, of less than 300 inhabitants. I find the case of Campione d'Italia to be even more intriguing.

Thank you for this very pleasant conversation! I could talk about minerals and countries for days!