Mineral Gallery
Actinolite
Written by Boss Tambang Wednesday, 02 December 2009 00:10
Actinolite is one of the amphibole group of minerals. Because its molecular structure is made up of long double chains of silicon atoms, it forms long, thin crystals, sometimes even fibers. Its deep green color is from a high iron content—the white variety withoutiron is called tremolite.
Bornite
Written by Boss Tambang Wednesday, 02 December 2009 00:09
Bornite (Cu5FeS4)is one of the lesser copper ore minerals, mostly copper and sulfur with a little iron. What makes it stand out is the amazing metallic blue-green color it turns after exposure to the air. That gives it the nickname peacock ore. Copper sulfides are a closely related mineral group, and they often occur...
“Iceland Spar” Calcite
Written by Boss Tambang Wednesday, 02 December 2009 00:07
Calcite is a very common mineral in many different geologic settings, but clear pieces like this are less common. Iceland spar is named after classic occurrences in Iceland, where fine specimens can be found as big as your head. This is not a true crystal, but a cleavage fragment. Calcite is said to have...
Chrysocolla
Written by Boss Tambang Wednesday, 02 December 2009 00:06
Where you see this bright blue-green mineral, you’ll know that copper is nearby. Chrysocolla is a hydroxylated copper silicate mineral that forms in the alteration zone around the edges of copper ore bodies. It almost always occurs in the amorphous, noncrystalline form shown here. This specimen has an abundance of...
Chrysotile
Written by Boss Tambang Wednesday, 02 December 2009 00:04
Chrysotile is a mineral of the serpentine group that crystallizes in thin, flexible fibers. As you can see on this specimen, the thicker the vein, the longer the fibers. It is one of several different minerals of this type, suitable for use as fireproof fabric and many other uses, that together are called asbestos. Chrysotile is the dominant form of...
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