A SAMPLER OF SELECTED 2014 BMC VOICE AUCTION SPECIMENS

Volume 1 Updated 29 December 2013 Spodumene var. Kunzite, Brazil

 Spodumene [LiAlSi2O6] , var. Kunzite (the gem variety of spodumene)  Dana No: 65.01.04.01  Strunz No: 09.DA.30  Urucum mine (Tim mine; Córrego do Urucum pegmatite), Galiléia, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil.  A lovely etched gem crystal from a classic kunzite locality  Specimen size: 5.9 x 2.0 x 1.2 cm., 17 g.  Donated by the East Coast Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

Spodumene is mined as an ore of lithium. The name is derived from The Greek "spodoumenos", reduced to ashes, alluding to the grayish white mass that is formed when the mineral is ignited.

Photograph by Mike Haritos Calcite, Huanggang Fe-Sn deposit, China

 Calcite (Manganoan) – (Ca,Mn)CO3  Dana No: 14.01.01.01  Strunz No: 05.AB.05  Huanggang Fe-Sn deposit (Huanggangliang Mine), Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Co.), Ulanhad League (Chifeng Prefecture), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.  Lovely terminated, pastel-pink, single crystal that fluoresces a warm pink-orange  Specimen Size:  10.5 x 3.5 x 3.0 cm. , weight: 124 g.

Calcite and rhodochrosite are end members of a complete solid solution series. Manganoan calcite is a variety of calcite with an intermediate Mn content. The intensity of its pink coloration typically increases with the Mn content. Originally reported from the Banská Štiavnica Mining District, Slovak Republic.

Photograph by Mike Haritos Mesolite, India

 Mesolite

 Na2Ca2Al6Si9O30•8(H2O)  Dana No: 77.01.05.04  Strunz No: 09.GA.05  Kannad, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra, India.

 Specimen Size:

 Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.0 x 7.0 cm.

 Weight: 313 g.

Mesolite is a member of the zeolite group of minerals. Its name is derived from the Greek for “middle”, as its chemical composition is between that of natrolite and Photograph by Mike Haritos scolecite. Fluorite on Dolomite, China

 Fluorite - CaF2  Dana No: 09.02.01.01  Strunz No: 03.AB.25

 Dolomite - CaMg(CO3)2  Dana No: 14.02.01.01  Strunz No: 05.AB.10  Shambao, Leiyang Co., Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province, China  Water clear fluorite crystals with internal purple color zones  Specimen Size Photograph by Nathan Martin  Overall: 7.5 x 5 x 4 cm  Largest crystal: 2.2 cm Fluorite is found as a common gangue mineral in  Weight: 128 g. hydrothermal veins, especially those containing  Donated by the East Coast Gem, lead and zinc minerals. The species was named in Mineral & Fossil Show 1797 by Carlo Antonio Galeani Napione from the Latin, fluere = "to flow" (for its use as a flux).

Brookite, Pakistan

 Brookite - TiO2

 Dana No: 04.04.05.01

 Strunz No: 04.DD.10

 Thurdook (Thurdok) Mine, Zard, Raskoh Mts. Kharan, Balochistan (Baluchistan), Pakistan.

 Translucent red crystal on matrix from the 2012 find

 Specimen Size:

 2.3 x 1.1 x 0.2 cm.

 Weight: 5g

Brookite is one of the five forms of titanium dioxide found in nature. The species was named in 1825 by Serve-Dieu Abailard "Armand" Lévy in honor of Henry James Brooke (born May 25, Photograph by Mike Haritos 1771 in Exeter, England). Scolecite, India

 Scolecite - CaAl2Si3O10•3(H2O)

 Dana No: 77.01.05.05

 Strunz No: 09.GA.05

 Rahuri, Ahmadnagar District (Ahmednagar District; Ahmed Nagar District), Maharashtra, India.

 An attractive crystal cluster with excellent terminations.

 Specimen Size:

 Dimensions: 10.3 x 4.9 x 4.4 cm.

 Weight: 103 g.

Scolecite is a member of the zeolite group. Its name is derived from the Greek, skolec = 'worm' in reference to the mineral's reaction to the blowpipe flame. Photograph by Mike Haritos Hemimorphite, Yunnan Province, China

 Hemimorphite

 Zn4Si2O7(OH)2•(H2O)  Dana No: 56.01.02.01  Strunz No: 09.BD.10  Wenshan Mine, Wenshan Co., Wenshan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.  Size:  Dimensions: 9.5 x 10.2 4.5 cm.  Weight: 423 g.

Hemimorphite was named in 1853 by Adolph Kenngott in allusion to the hemimorphic morphology of the crystals. Many names Photograph by Mike Haritos previously were assigned to this species including calamine. Sphalerite on Pyrite after Pyrrhotite, Kosovo

 Sphalerite – (Zn,Fe)S  Dana No: 02.08.02.01,  Strunz No: 02.CB.05a

 Pyrite - FeS2  Dana No: 02.12.01.01  Strunz No: 02.EB.05a  Trepč complex, Trepč valley, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo  Brilliant luster!  Specimen size: 7.2 x 7.1 x 4.4 cm.  Weight: 332 g

Pyrite named in antiquity from the Greek "pyr" for "fire", because sparks flew from

it when hit with another mineral or metal. Photograph by Mike Haritos

Sphalerite, also known as Blende or Zinc Blende, is the major ore of zinc. When pure (with little iron) it forms clear crystals with colors ranging from pale yellow (known as Cleiophane) to orange and red shades (known as Ruby Blende). As iron content increases it forms dark, opaque, metallic crystals (known as Marmatite) Ilvaite, Inner Mongolia, China

2+ 3+  Ilvaite - CaFe Fe (Si2O7)O(OH)  Dana No: 56.02.03.03  Strunz No: 09.BE.07  Huanggang Mine, Fe-Sn deposit (Huanggangliang Mine), Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Co.), Ulanhad League (Chifeng Prefecture), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.  A lustrous, terminated single crystal

 Size:

 Dimensions: 5.3 x 1.4 x 1.4 cm  Weight: 33 g.

Ilvaite is derived from "Ilva", the old name of Elba Island, on which the type locality is situated.

Photograph by Mike Haritos Fluorapophyllite-(K), India

 Fluorapophyllite-(K) *

 (K,Na)Ca4(Si4O10)2F•8(H2O)

 Dana No: 72.03.01.01

 Strunz No: 09.EA.15

 Rahuri, Ahmadnagar District (Ahmednagar District; Ahmed Nagar District), Maharashtra, India.  An attractive cluster of light green crystals  Specimen Size:  3.6 x 3.2 x 2.1 cm.  Weight: 15 g.

Photograph by Mike Haritos Apophyllite was named in 1806 by Rene Just Haüy from the Greek for "away from" (ἀπό, apo) and "leaf" (φύλλον, phyllos), in allusion to the way it exfoliates upon heating. * The name was recently revised from apophyllite-(KF) to fluorapophyllite-(K) (Hatert et al,European Journal of Mineralogy 25, 2013) Lot of Four Babingtonite Specimens, Massachusetts

 Babingtonite

2+ 3+  Ca2(Fe ,Mn)Fe Si5O14(OH)  Dana No: 65.04.01.02

 Strunz No: 09.DK.05  Localities

 Two TN specimens are from Lane Quarry. West Springfield, MA

 1 TN is from Cheapside Quarry (East Deerfield Quarry; Trew Corp. Quarry), Deerfield, MA.

 1 TN is from West Roxbury Crushed Stone Quarry (West Roxbury Trap- Rock Co. West Roxbury (Boston),MA. Photograph by Mike Haritos  Donated by Mike Haritos

Babingtonite is the Massachusetts state mineral. It was Named after Dr. William Babington (1756 - 1833), Irish physician and mineralogist, founding member and President (from 1822 to 1824) of the Geological Society of London.

Tourmaline, Quartz & Feldspar, Burma

 Pink tourmaline with quartz and feldspar  Most likely Elbaite or Liddicoatite  Elbaite

− Na(Li, Al)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4 − Dana No: 61.03d.01.08 − Strunz No: 09.CK.05  Liddicoatite

− Ca(Li, Al)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(O,OH,F)4 − Dana No: 61.03b.01.02 − Strunz No: 09.CK.05  Momeik Township, Kyaukme District, Shan State, Burma

(Myanmar). Photograph by Mike Haritos  Specimen Size: Tourmaline (synonymous with tourmaline group)  8.9 x 7.4 x 5.8 cm. comprises trigonal borosilicates of the cyclosilicate  Individual xls. From 0.2 to 1.2 cm. superclass. The nomenclature was recently revised  Weight: 422 g. (Henry et al., American Mineralogist, 2011). Fluorapophyllite-(K) & Scolecite, Maharashtra, India

 Fluorapophyllite-(K)

 (K,Na)Ca4(Si4O10)2F•8(H2O)  Dana No: 72.03.01.01  Strunz No: 09.EA.15  Scolecite

 CaAl2Si3O10•3(H2O)  Dana No: 77.01.05.05  Strunz No: 09.GA.05  Rahuri, Ahmadnagar District (Ahmed Nagar District), Maharashtra, India.  Specimen size:  Dimensions: 11.3 x 5.3 x 4.1 cm  Weight: 119 g. Photograph by Mike Haritos

Apophyllite was named in 1806 by Rene Just Haüy from the Greek for "away from" (ἀπό, apo) and "leaf" (φύλλον, phyllos), in allusion to the way it exfoliates upon heating. * The name was recently revised from apophyllite-(KF) to fluorapophyllite-(K) (Hatert et al,European Journal of Mineralogy 25, 2013) Fluorite, England

 Fluorite - CaF2  Dana No: 09.02.01.01  Strunz No: 03.AB.25  Rogerley Mine, Rogerley Quarry, Frosterley, Weardale, North Pennines, Co. Durham, England, UK.  Many Rogerley fluorite specimens are so fluorescent that they change color when exposed to sunlight.  Specimen size: 7.2 x 5.3 x 5.1 cm., 199 g.  Donated by Spirifer Minerals

The term fluorescence is derived from fluorite, which will often markedly exhibit this effect. The element fluorine Photograph by Mike Haritos also derives its name from fluorite, a major source for the element. Galena & Quartz, Bulgaria

 Galena - PbS  Dana No: 02.08.01.01  Strunz No: 02.CD.10

 Quartz – SiO2  Dana No: 75.01.03.01  Strunz No: 04.DA.05  Krushev dol deposit , Krushev dol mine, Madan ore field, Rhodope Mts, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Superb Galena luster & brilliant Quartz xls.  Specimen size:  Dimenaiona: 6.8 x 6.8 x 3.4 cm.,  Weight: 281 g. Photograph by Mike Haritos

Galena is a primary ore of lead. The word "quartz" is derived from the German Galena was named by Pliny the Elder word "Quarz" and its Middle High German ancestor in 77-79 from the Greek "galene" "twarc", which probably originated in Slavic (cf. meaning lead ore Czech tvrdý ("hard"), Polish twardy ("hard")). Calcite, China

 Calcite - CaCO3  Dana No: 14.01.01.01  Strunz No: 05.AB.05  Hunan Province, China  Specimen Size:  27.0 x 14.0 x 8.5 cm.  Weight: 2162 g.  A major cabinet specimen.  Donated by Steve Gerome

Calcite is an important rock forming mineral. It forms in sedimentary deposits as limestone, can be regionally or contact metamorphosed into marbles and rarely forms igneous rocks (carbonatites). It also is a common gangue mineral in hydrothermal deposits. Calcite is highly variable in color and crystal forms, but it is most easily recognized by its reactivity to acids, even weaker acids like vinegar. Calcite can fluoresce in many colors and shades under Photograph by Mike Haritos all wavelengths of ultraviolet light. Albite var. Pericline w/ Orthoclase var. Adularia Overgrowths, Acushnet, MA

 Adularia - KAlSi3O8  Dana No: 76.01.01.01  Strunz No: 09.FA.30

 Albite - NaAlSi3O8  Dana No: 76.01.03.01  Strunz No: 09.FA.35  Adularia, a low temperature potassium-rich Orthoclase feldspar is perched epitaxally on Pericline xls., a variety of sodium rich Albite feldspar.  Acushnet Quarry (P. J. Keating Q., Photograph by Mike Haritos Tilcon Capaldi Q., Warren Brothers Q., Old Bluestone Q.), Acushnet, Bristol Co., MA, USA. The Acushnet quarry is renowned for its alpine  Specimen size: cleft geology and suite of related minerals. It  16.0 x 11.0 x 6.0 cm., 839 g has produced “world class” apatite crystals. Calcite, Hubei, China

 Calcite - CaCO3  Dana No: 14.01.01.01  Strunz No: 05.AB.05  Hubei Province, China

 Calcite crystals on matrix

 Specimen Size

 Overall: 18 x 11 x 5 cm

 Largest crystal: 4 cm

 Weight: 1262 gm

Photograph by Mike Haritos

Calcite was named as a mineral in ancient times (AD79) by Gaius Plinius Secundus (Pliny the elder). The name is derived from Calx, Latin for lime. Half Quartz Geode, Brazil

 Cut and polished quartz geode

 Quartz - SiO2  Dana No: 75.01.03.01

 Strunz No: 04.DA.05  Minas Gerais, Brazil  The interior features a quartz druse with a light blue tint  Specimen size: 15.5 x 13.2 x 7.2 cm., weight: 1,972 g.  Anonymous donor

Quartz crystals in geodes are formed by a multistage process. Groundwater or hydrothermal waters scavenge silica as they percolate through sediments, sedimentary rocks, lavas, or volcaniclastic rocks. The geodes found in Minas Gerais typically formed in gas cavities in basalt

lavas. Photograph by Mike Haritos Chalcopyrite, Missouri

 Chalcopyrite - CuFeS2

 Dana No: 02.09.01.01

 Strunz No: 02.CB.10a  Brushy Creek Mine, Greeley, Viburnum Trend District, Reynolds Co., Missouri, USA.  Specimen Size:  5.4 x 4.7 x 2.7 cm.  Weight: 95 g.  Sparkling xls. of iridescent, luminous colors.

Chalcopyrite was named in 1725 by Johann Friedrich Henckel from the Greek "chalkos", copper, and "pyrites", strike fire.

Photograph by Mike Haritos Barite, Sardinia, Italy

 Barite - BaSO4  Dana No: 28.03.01.01  Strunz No: 07.AD.35  (Note: the official IMA-approved spelling of this mineral is 'baryte'. )

 Villamassargia, Carbonia-Iglesias Province, Sardinia, Italy.  A sharp, doubly-terminated crystal  Specimen size:  Dimensions: 5.0 x 4.5 x 4.0 cm.  Weight; 93 g.

Baryte is derived from the Greek "barys" - heavy, in allusion to its high specific gravity. Baryte itself is generally white or colorless, and is the main source of barium. Baryte and celestine form a solid solution

(Ba,Sr)SO4. Photograph by Mike Haritos Hubnerite [MnWo4] & Quartz [SiO2], Peru

 Hubnerite - MnWO4  Dana No: 48.01.01.01,  Strunz No: 04.DB.30  Pasto Bueno District, Pallasca Province, Ancash Department, Peru.  Specimen size:

 Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.0 x 2.8 cm  Weight: 114 g  Seldom does a Hubnerite specimen reveal the rich, dark red color seen here.  Donated by the East Coast Gem Mineral & Fossil Show

Hubnerite is a member of the Wolframite Group. It was named in 1865 by Eugene N. Riotte (native of Elberfeld, Germany) for the German mining engineer and metallurgist, Friedrich Adolph Hübner [born May 17, 1830?, Koenigsberg, East Prussia (Germany). Photograph by Mike Haritos Scapolite, New York

 Scapolite - (Na,Ca)4[Al3Si9O24]Cl  Dana No: 76.03.01.00  Strunz No: 09.FB.15  St. Lawrence County, NY  A terminated single crystal  Specimen Size:  Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.6 x 1.6 cm  Weight: 148 g  Donated by Dr. Bernie Wuensch

The term, scapolite, generally refers to just the marialite-meionite series, not the full scapolite group, and thus excludes silvialite. It is used as a generic term when the exact chemical composition in the solid solution series has not been determined

Named in 1800 by José Bonifácio de Andrada e Photograph by Mike Haritos Silva from the Greek ζκαποζ meaning "a shaft" in allusion to the long prismatic habit of the crystals Rosasite, Mexico

 Rosasite - (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2  Dana No: 16a.03.01.01  Strunz No: 05.BA.10  Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Mun. de Mapimí, Durango, Mexico.  Specimen Size:  Dimensions: 11.5 x 5.5 x 5.3 cm  Weight: 303 g.

Rosasite is a secondary mineral found in the oxidation zone of copper-zinc deposits. It’s Cu:Zn ratio is near 3:2.

It was named in 1908 by Domenico Lovisato after its discovery locality, the Rosas Mine, Sulcis, Sardinia, Italy

Photograph by Mike Haritos Silver - Ontario, Canada

 Silver – Ag  Dana No: 01.01.01.02  Strunz No: 01.AA.05  O'Brien Mine, Coleman Township, Cobalt area, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada.  Specimen Size:  Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.2 x 2.8 cm  Weight: 315 g  Donated by Dr. Bernie Wuensch

The name comes from the Old English word, "seolfor", whose original meaning is lost; The chemical element abbreviation Ag comes from the Latin word Photograph by Mike Haritos "argentum", meaning silver. The O’Brien mine was the longest continuously operating mine in the Cobalt area (1905-1967). It was developed through 5 shafts and over 16 miles of drifts, cross-cuts, and raises. Bismuth (Synthetic), Germany

 Bismuth – Bi  A member of the arsenic group  Dana No: 01.03.01.04  Strunz No: 01.CA.05  Grown in Germany.  The iridescent color of this attractive group of hoppered bismuth crystals is the result of a thin oxide layer on its surface.  Specimen size:  Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.5 x 5.2 cm  Weight: 234 g.  Anonymous donor

As a chemical element Bismuth was officially discovered in 1753 by French scientist Claude Geoffroy. Photograph by Mike Haritos The origin of the name comes from the German words Weisse Masse meaning white mass.

QUARTZ var. CHALCEDONY (Agate)

 Quartz - SiO2  Dana No: 75.01.03.01  Strunz No: 04.DA.05  Fish: 13.0 x 8.0 x 3.2 cm., 107 g  Base: 16.0 x 12.5 x 8.2 cm., 315 g  The base is agatized coral.  The green grass emanating from the base is a form of Jade. (Jadeite?)  Donated by Dr. Bernie Wuensch

Chalcedony is a translucent quartz and it is called Agate when it is banded.

Hardstone carving is a general term in art history and archaeology for the carving for artistic purposes of semi-precious stones, such as jade, clear quartz, agate, onyx, jasper, serpentine or carnelian, and for an object made in this way. Photograph by Mike Haritos Lot of 4 Prehnite Specimens, Connecticut

 Prehnite - Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2  Dana No: 72.01.03.01  Strunz No: 09.DP.20  O & G Southbury Quarry (Silliman Quarry; O & G No. 2 Quarry) Southbury, CT.  4 specimens each approx. 6.5 x 5.0 x 3.0 cm. Some with minor Apophyllite xls.  Donated by Mike Haritos

Prehnite was named in 1788 by Abraham Gottlieb Werner in honor of Colonel Hendrik von/van Prehn (1733-1785), governor of the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. He also was a Photograph by Mike Haritos naturalist & mineral collector and is credited with discovering the mineral in 1774. Rhodochrosite, Colorado

 Rhodochrosite - MnCO3  Dana No: 14.01.01.04

 Strunz No: 05.AB.05  Specimen Size:

 Dimensions: 11.0 x 6.2 x 5.3 cm.

 weight: 343 g.  Sunnyside Mine group (American Tunnel Mine; American Tunnel; Gold King Mine; Washington Mine; Belle Creole; Gold Prince; Brenneman Mine; Mogul Mine), Bonita Peak, Gladstone, Eureka District, San Juan Co., Colorado  Donated by STONETRUST

Photograph by Mike Haritos

Rhodochrosite was named in 1813 by Johann Friedrich Ludwig Hausmann from the Greek ρόδο, "rose", and χρώς, "coloring", referring to its color. It commonly occurs as a primary gangue mineral in moderate- to low-temperature hydrothermal veins, also in high-temperature metasomatic deposits and sedimentary manganese deposits or as a late stage hydrothermal mineral in pegmatites, especially lithiophilite-bearing ones

Quartz, Switzerland

 Quartz var. Smoky - SiO2  Dana No: 75.01.03.01

 Strunz No: 04.DA.05  Goschernalp, Kanton Uri, Switzerland.  Specimen Size

 Dimensions: 5.7 x 2.4 x 1.3 cm.

 Weight: 166 g.  Donated by Mike Haritos

Quartz has been known and appreciated since pre-historic times. The most ancient name known is recorded by Theophrastus in about 300-325 BCE, κρύσταλλος or kristallos. The varietal names, rock crystal and bergcrystal, preserve the ancient usage. The root words Photograph by Mike Haritos κρύοσ signifying ice cold and στέλλειυ to contract (or solidify) suggest the ancient belief that kritallos was permanently solidified ice.