DOCSLIB.ORG

The Turquoise

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Mi iiliiliili iliii^ 'ill MV5EVMoFTHEAnElLlCAN INDIAN """" '""'""i'mlllllllllHlllllllllllllllllllllhllllllllllilllllllllllllllll.|l{l^%'"Ul|IIIIIIIIIIIMIIIII|ii^ lliiimiHiiiililiNilluiu I iml.i FR.EDERICK W. HODGE COLLECTION Library Huntington Free Ts!ative Amencan Collection CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924104089382 MEMOIRS OF THE NATIOIAL ASADEIY OF SOIENCES "VolTime XII :Part II yfiisanstasos 18U Library of Congress Catalogue Division washington August 28 1934 Mr. Frederick A. Blossom, Librarian, Huntington Free Library and Reading Room, 9 Westchester Sqtiare, New lork City. My dear Mr. Blossom: I am grateful for yours of Au^st 25d and assure you that your queries and suggestions will/always be welcomed, especially when they involve matters of fact. Im matters of style (Spanish accents, punctuation in general, etc.) you majs safely assume that all our cards will be modernized when and as they come up for reprinting, hence re- minders in individual cases (unless pxceptionally likely to be over- looked) are perhaps unnecessary. Your statement regarding the final e_ in "Turquoise" (Pogue) is extremely interesting, as I have letters from Mr. Pogue and from r/iT. Brockett, Executive Secretary of the Academy of Sciences, both positively disclaiming any knowledge of such an issue. If you feel like lending your copy to us I should like to compare it with the other issues with a view to solving the problem. Very truly yours. Julian Leavitt Chief, Catalogue Division Sovez^ter 15, 1934 Mr. iSHaiaa Leavltt Liteaxy of Gaagrepi GatalQgtjfi BiTlsifxii Ifsssshingtoa, B.C. \ % dear Mr. Leavltt: 0& J^igoskt 30th last, we seat 700, in response to yoor request of Jjagast 28th, oar eoT^ of & mono@pa|!li ^ J. S. Beipte on **!Si9 Torqaoise.* Aa 3^ have now had the hook fear two and ons^haLS sionths, perhs^>s you have finished yotir investigation- If so, we should be g^ad to retnm the vol-ame to oar shelves. I tafce this D-^ortotti^ to ask if you conld favor nie with one ©opy of LCf, cards one of 16-1440, so «iat I w^ lirrestigate rol-wm Is yoar st^gestioas concseapnitg the ^pestioxu Tery troly yooys. fah.ct Litearlaa . Library of Congress Catalogue Division washington August 25 1954 Mr, Frederick A. Blossom, Librarian, Huntington Free Library and Reading Room, 9 Westchester Square, New York City. My dear Mr. Blossom: Several weeks ago you advised the Card Division to the effect that you had a copy of Pogue's "The Turquois" with this word spelled, on the title-page, \rf.th a final _e (tiirquoise) May I ask whether your copy is identical with the one described on our card 15-26275, or with 16-1440 (both cards enclosed)? If it corresponds with neither, will you kindly send us a photo- stat of the title-page and an indication of the differences (Insofar as these may be determined by an examination of our cards) between your copy and ours? Very truly yours, /Ccfl^-o^-cC? Julian Leavitt Chief, Catalogue Division (enclosures) Library of Congress Catalogue Division washington July 18 1935 Mr. Frederick A. Blossom, Librarian, Huntington Free Library and. Reading Room, 9 Westchester Square, New York City. Dear Mr. Blossom: I am grateful for your letter of the 15th and have forwarded it to the Division of Accessions, with a recommendation (copy of which is attached) for immediate acceptance. With cordial greetings, I am, Very truly yours, Chief, Catalogue Division . jTttlyl* 1931 I«f•rrtof to 9tt9t 6f HuaU&gtAB ft— ItilnnHT •ad Ko«4ia£ I«mi, Jtilr If » 1955 i Bimtlagioii 7re« biknasy ooid iM^diiof Ksoa* r«f«ra to * QVgW ^^ «^ la«a« of fiHEV«*0 *^o t«Hr(|ttois*»f dlff«plag Srtm otlior Icaonn tstaot wljr li^ ftpolliag ih« wnrd taaw^aaaAaf (fisua •) tn tlb« Utlo«<iM#»* A« fM.it !••«• it tuitoova teth t» Sr* Fmi BrM)M»t«»», B»Mmtii« tmevtmef of tlM 9ot4o»«l Aoodonjr of Seieaeoi (vbieh iosaodi tho |raikl.i««tiw)f oad to Mr* H0m$ ^o sttthtHc «w»* «ad in not JUwotod la lBi«Ei 6ftt&lflfao» I orgoatly roeooaumd that Hr* Bloft«<ni*« good off«»> iMi «eoof)to4» wid thot tho fkblieotisat idton eX«u>od Ia t^o SiTlsioa of lieooooi«Q«t b« forvordocl 4irootljr to ao with a *f|^olol Attaaatim* alls. tbM 90»%$0mitft of Ify. Blooaos'o lottori rofmndsf to • iprovtoaa offer 1^ fho fortKl#tl7 Bovioi*, Foh. 15« 1<S^» Isas »oi booK olieakod Iqr U8« - '- Cki9ft Cataloguo Si'vlfiloa iiHi jitfi> ) . «j <^ii iW»W»> ii|inilraiy # * fOfMHf l0««#i toidelel. l^mv^dLs^ <h atii^ of ito lii8%oti7, wiaoraloiar, #Ma,a«jr» otteoliiir» «rols«oolii|]r .*. la^lafiea, 1915. tO^e. 16«I440; lf>S6275} o* IiOttMr Jstt|«at t2» 3^54* ob fUo ia Oatalogno MHsioa* HMf uttor M«iiit 10» 1934* • • • • • •:^.. r 4-- 10 ^"^. V. '" v,.*.(6!SCi^ 'i^ 12 AMERICAN TURQUOIS AND TURQUOIS MATRIX. (Plate prepared in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey.) Fig. 1. Pale-blue turquois; Gove Turquois mine, near Cottonwood, San Bernardino County, Cal. Fig. 2. Turquois matrix; Royal Blue Turquois mine, in Nye County, near Millers, Nev. Fig. 3. Turquois matrix; Weber mine, Belmont, Nye County, Nev. Fig. 4. Dark-blue turquois; Azure mine, Burro Mountains, N. Mex. Fig. 5. Cobweb turquois matrix; Southwest Turquois Co. mine, Mineral Park, Ariz. Fig. 6. Nugget of turquois, polished on one side; Myers and Bona Turquois mine, 13 miles north of west of Millers, ' ' Esmeralda County, Nev. ' i , Fig. 7. Split veinlet of turquois showing a " Y" patterii; presented to a student at Yale University; Los Ajigeles Gem Co. mine. Mineral Park; Ariz. Fig. 8. Pendant of turquois matrix; Southwest Turquois Co. mine. Mineral Park, Ariz. Fig. 9. Turquois in dark brown mati^x; Royal Blue Turquois mine, near Millers, Nev. Fig. 10. Intersecting veinlets of turquois in matrix; New Azure mine, Burro Mountains, N. Mex. Fig. 11. Vemletof turquois in matrix; Cameo Claim, Little Hachita Mountains, N. Mex. Fig. 12. Nodular turquois; Southwest Turquois Co. mine. Mineral Park, Ariz. Fig. 13. Turquois matrix; Los Cerrillos, N. Mex. U. S. National Museum. MEMOIRS OP THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Part II THIRD MKMIOIB WASHINGH'OM ISTATIOlSrAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. Volume XII. THIRD MEMOIR. THE TURQUOISE. A STUDY OF ITS HISTORY, MINERALOaY, GEOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY, AROHiEOLOGY, MYTHOLOGY, FOLKLORE, AND TECHNOLOGY. BY JOSEPH E. POGUE, Ph. D., ASSOCIATE GEOLOGIST, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, FORMERLY ASSISTANT CURATOR DIVISION OF MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, FELLOW OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OP AMERICA. PEEFAOE, Some years ago the writer undertook a study of turquois, with the purpose of presenting an account not only of its mineralogy and geology, but of its history, ethnology, and technology as well. He entered upon this task with no adequate conception of its magnitude or appre- ciation of its difficulty, and was enabled to bring it to conclusion only through a position that placed at his command excellent library facihties and the Government collections and gave him access to advice of many experts on subjects not his own. While he has aimed at reasonable completeness in its execution he reahzes that much of importance has escaped him. He is aware also of many deficiencies in the treatment of subjects in which he has had little experience. In spite of these drawbacks it is hoped that the present treatise may arouse a greater interest in a fascinatmg field—that concerned with precious stones in their relation to mankind. The investigation was carried on while the writer was in charge of the mineralogical collections of the United States National Museum, and he is indebted to the officials of that institution, particularly to Dr. George P. Merrill, Head Curator of Geology, not only for opportunity of doing this work, but also for encouragement and cooperation during its pro- gress. He feels that he owes more than can be adequately acknowledged to ideas, suggestions, and help on the part of many who have been so kind as to take an interest in the under- taking. Special thanks are due Dr. Walter Hough, Curator of Ethnology in the National Museum, for information, references, and experience, a critical examination of a portion of the text, and constant encouragement and interest; Mr. Douglas B. Sterrett, of the United States Geological Survey, for use of unpublished notes on the turquois localities of this country, review of the portion of text covering these occurrences, and cooperation in the preparation of the colored plate shown in the frontispiece; and Dr. Berthold Laufer, Associate Curator of Asiatic Ethnology in the Field Museum of Chicago, for invaluable information, numerous ref- erences, and especially for a most thorough and scholarly treatment of the turquois in India, Tibet, and China—a contribution originally planned to appear as an appendix to this mono- graph, but which, because of unavoidable exigencies, has been published in advance.' Dr. Laufer's critical and searching study, which appears under the modest title, "Notes on Turquois in the East," ^ is the fruit of high attainment in a field difficult of access to the westerner, and it offers a wealth of information that would have long remained buried but for the efforts of that accomphshed scholar. The present writer has attempted to include in this treatise the main results set forth in Dr. Laufer's paper, but the critical reader must be referred to the original for the detail that could not be here admitted without reprinting the entire paper. Other friends and workers have generously supplied information or aided the study in other ways, and to these the writer wishes to extend his grateful acknowledgment, as follows: Prof.
Recommended publications
  • The New IMA List of Gem Materials – a Work in Progress – Updated: July 2018

    The New IMA List of Gem Materials – a Work in Progress – Updated: July 2018

    The New IMA List of Gem Materials – A Work in Progress – Updated: July 2018 In the following pages of this document a comprehensive list of gem materials is presented. The list is distributed (for terms and conditions see below) via the web site of the Commission on Gem Materials of the International Mineralogical Association. The list will be updated on a regular basis. Mineral names and formulae are from the IMA List of Minerals: http://nrmima.nrm.se//IMA_Master_List_%282016-07%29.pdf. Where there is a discrepancy the IMA List of Minerals will take precedence. Explanation of column headings: IMA status: A = approved (it applies to minerals approved after the establishment of the IMA in 1958); G = grandfathered (it applies to minerals discovered before the birth of IMA, and generally considered as valid species); Rd = redefined (it applies to existing minerals which were redefined during the IMA era); Rn = renamed (it applies to existing minerals which were renamed during the IMA era); Q = questionable (it applies to poorly characterized minerals, whose validity could be doubtful). Gem material name: minerals are normal text; non-minerals are bold; rocks are all caps; organics and glasses are italicized. Caveat (IMPORTANT): inevitably there will be mistakes in a list of this type. We will be grateful to all those who will point out errors of any kind, including typos. Please email your corrections to [email protected]. Acknowledgments: The following persons, listed in alphabetic order, gave their contribution to the building and the update of the IMA List of Minerals: Vladimir Bermanec, Emmanuel Fritsch, Lee A.
  • Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana

    Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana

    Report of Investigation 23 Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana Richard B. Berg 2015 Cover photo by Richard Berg. Sapphires (very pale green and colorless) concentrated by panning. The small red grains are garnets, commonly found with sapphires in western Montana, and the black sand is mainly magnetite. Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences, RI 23 Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana Richard B. Berg Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology MBMG Report of Investigation 23 2015 i Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences, RI 23 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................1 Descriptions of Occurrences ..................................................................................................7 Selected Bibliography of Articles on Montana Sapphires ................................................... 75 General Montana ............................................................................................................75 Yogo ................................................................................................................................ 75 Southwestern Montana Alluvial Deposits........................................................................ 76 Specifi cally Rock Creek sapphire district ........................................................................ 76 Specifi cally Dry Cottonwood Creek deposit and the Butte area ....................................
  • The Telephone City Crystal Brantford Lapidary & Mineral Society

    The Telephone City Crystal Brantford Lapidary & Mineral Society

    THE TELEPHONE CITY CRYSTAL BRANTFORD LAPIDARY & MINERAL SOCIETY JANUARY 2017 Volume 71 Issue 1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: JANUARY MEETING— 2 EARTH ON THE MOVE& ARAGONITE UPCOMING EVENTS & 3 CLUB INFO PIECE OF DINOSAUR 4 TAIL IN AMBER RARE GEM MINE 5 & TUMBLER GRIT ROCK TUMBLING 6 MONTHLY MINERAL - 7 APATITE 2016 EXECUTIVE & 8 MISC. December Meeting Highlight Photo- listing on page 2 1 THE TELEPHONE CITY CRYSTAL DATE: FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2017 TIME: 7:30 PM WHERE: TB COSTAIN/S.C. JOHNSON COMMUNITY CENTER, 16 MORRELL ST. BRANTFORD, ONT. PROGRAM: RENE PERRIN: “EARTH ON THE MOVE” “The title is "Earth on the Move" featuring how the earth has moved and is mov- ing now at both the large scale as in India moving North with various other big and much smaller ex- amples with a beautiful graphic showing all of the global movements as tracked by stations all over the world. This is a great image showing the movement directions with arrows.” THE MINERAL ARAGONITE Calcium carbonate forms as both Aragonite and Calcite, and these two minerals only differ in theircrystallization. Cal- cite, the more common mineral, forms in trigonal crystals, whereas Aragonite forms orthorhombic crystals. On occasion, crystals of Aragonite and Calcite are too small to be individually determined, and it is only possible to distinguish these two minerals with optical or x-ray testing. The true identity of microcrystalline forms of Aragonite or Calcite may also not be known without complex testing, and this can also cause a confusion between these species. Most large Aragonite crystals are twinned growths of three individual crystals that form pseudohexagonal trillings.
  • The Rutile Deposits of the Eastern United States

    The Rutile Deposits of the Eastern United States

    THE RUTILE DEPOSITS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. By THOMAS L. WATSON. INTRODUCTION. The titanium-bearing minerals comprise more than 60 distinct species, grouped under a variety of mineral and chemical forms, chiefly as oxides, titanates, titano-silicates, silicates, columbates, and iantalates. These minerals are widely distributed in a variety of associations and in such quantity as to make titanium a relatively abundant element. Clarke* estimates the. amount of titanium in the solid crust of the earth to be 0.44 per cent, equivalent in oxide to 0.73 per cent, the element thus standing in the ninth place in the scale of abundance, next to potassium. Most of the titanium-bearing minerals, however, are rare and are only of scientific interest. The largest concentrations of the element are as oxide (rutile), as iron titanate (ilmenite), and in iron ferrate (magnetite) as intergrown ilmenite. Of these three forms the prin­ cipal source of the element at present is rutile. The known workable deposits of rutile, however, are extremely few and widely sepa­ rated, and as the demand for titanium has greatly increased in the last few years it has been necessary for some uses to turn to ilmenite or highly titaniferous magnetites. This paper briefly summarizes present knowledge of the geology of the rutile deposits in the eastern United States and for the sake of comparison discusses several foreign deposits, each of which has produced some rutile. Of the known deposits in the United, States only those in Virginia are of commercial importance. These have been made the subject of a special report 2 by the Virginia Geological Survey, which was preceded by a preliminary paper on the rutile deposits of Amherst and Nelson counties.3 1 Clarke, F.
  • Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina by W

    Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina by W

    .'.' .., Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina By W. F. Wilson and B. J. McKenzie RUTILE GUMMITE IN GARNET RUBY CORUNDUM GOLD TORBERNITE GARNET IN MICA ANATASE RUTILE AJTUNITE AND TORBERNITE THULITE AND PYRITE MONAZITE EMERALD CUPRITE SMOKY QUARTZ ZIRCON TORBERNITE ~/ UBRAR'l USE ONLV ,~O NOT REMOVE. fROM LIBRARY N. C. GEOLOGICAL SUHVEY Information Circular 24 Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina By W. F. Wilson and B. J. McKenzie Raleigh 1978 Second Printing 1980. Additional copies of this publication may be obtained from: North CarOlina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Geological Survey Section P. O. Box 27687 ~ Raleigh. N. C. 27611 1823 --~- GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SECTION The Geological Survey Section shall, by law"...make such exami­ nation, survey, and mapping of the geology, mineralogy, and topo­ graphy of the state, including their industrial and economic utilization as it may consider necessary." In carrying out its duties under this law, the section promotes the wise conservation and use of mineral resources by industry, commerce, agriculture, and other governmental agencies for the general welfare of the citizens of North Carolina. The Section conducts a number of basic and applied research projects in environmental resource planning, mineral resource explora­ tion, mineral statistics, and systematic geologic mapping. Services constitute a major portion ofthe Sections's activities and include identi­ fying rock and mineral samples submitted by the citizens of the state and providing consulting services and specially prepared reports to other agencies that require geological information. The Geological Survey Section publishes results of research in a series of Bulletins, Economic Papers, Information Circulars, Educa­ tional Series, Geologic Maps, and Special Publications.
  • Evaluation of Brilliance, Fire, and Scintillation in Round Brilliant

    Evaluation of Brilliance, Fire, and Scintillation in Round Brilliant

    Optical Engineering 46͑9͒, 093604 ͑September 2007͒ Evaluation of brilliance, fire, and scintillation in round brilliant gemstones Jose Sasian, FELLOW SPIE Abstract. We discuss several illumination effects in gemstones and University of Arizona present maps to evaluate them. The matrices and tilt views of these College of Optical Sciences maps permit one to find the stones that perform best in terms of illumi- 1630 East University Boulevard nation properties. By using the concepts of the main cutter’s line, and the Tucson, Arizona 85721 anti-cutter’s line, the problem of finding the best stones is reduced by E-mail: [email protected] one dimension in the cutter’s space. For the first time it is clearly shown why the Tolkowsky cut, and other cuts adjacent to it along the main cutter’s line, is one of the best round brilliant cuts. The maps we intro- Jason Quick duce are a valuable educational tool, provide a basis for gemstone grad- Jacob Sheffield ing, and are useful in the jewelry industry to assess gemstone American Gem Society Laboratories performance. © 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. 8917 West Sahara Avenue ͓DOI: 10.1117/1.2769018͔ Las Vegas, Nevada 89117 Subject terms: gemstone evaluation; gemstone grading; gemstone brilliance; gemstone fire; gemstone scintillation; gemstone cuts; round brilliant; gemstones; diamond cuts; diamonds. James Caudill American Gem Society Advanced Instruments Paper 060668R received Aug. 28, 2006; revised manuscript received Feb. 16, 8881 West Sahara Avenue 2007; accepted for publication Apr. 10, 2007; published online Oct. 1, 2007. Las Vegas, Nevada 89117 Peter Yantzer American Gem Society Laboratories 8917 West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89117 1 Introduction are refracted out of the stone.
  • Quartz: a Bull's Eye on Optical Activity

    Quartz: a Bull's Eye on Optical Activity

    Quartz: a Bull’s Eye on Optical Activity Elise A. Skalwold The Mineralogical Society of America William A. Bassett Title: Quartz: a Bull’s Eye on Optical Activity Authors: Elise Ann Skalwold & William Akers Bassett Edition: First edition Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America, Chantilly, Virginia, USA Copyright: © 2015 by the authors, artists, and photographers. Reproduced with permission. All Rights Reserved. ISBN: 978-0-939950-00-3 Photographer & Designer: Elise A. Skalwold Front cover: Natural quartz crystal 60 x 65 x 40 mm; Hot Springs, Arkansas; ex. Dr. R.W.M. Woodside collection. Back cover: Lab-grown quartz cluster, 140 mm x 90 mm (hydrothermally grown by Mila and Vladimir A. Klipov, R&D XTALS, Inc.). Below: Natural quartz crystals and basal sections. On-going collaboration with Cornell’s Professor Emeritus William A. Bassett is truly priceless to me for this and other projects in the wings, as well as for those over the past eight years of work and research together. Bill shares my enthusi- asm for exploring the fascinating aspects of the classical science of mineralogy, and as my co-author he sets the highest bar for accuracy. All students should be so lucky to have such a mentor. Elise A. Skalwold, 2015 Ithaca, New York Mineralogical Society of America Quartz: a Bull’s Eye on Optical Activity Elise A. Skalwold [email protected] William A. Bassett [email protected] Both Authors: Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Snee Hall, Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 All photographs: Elise A. Skalwold Figure 1. The “bull’s eye” uniaxial optic figure characteristic of quartz is indicative of its optical activity.
  • General Information- Michigan's Gem Stones

    General Information- Michigan's Gem Stones

    CONTENTS: INDUSTRIES MAP —————— FACING I GENERAL INFORMATION- —————— I MICHIGAN'S GEM STONES- —————— 4 ASSAYS AND TESTS———— ————— I I ARTICLES, PERIODICALS, BOOKS- —————12 SOCIETIES—————————————————— ———— 23 MUSEUMS—————————————————— ———— 26 GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE ———— 30 GEOLOGIC MAP —————— ————— 3 I NMICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION ^GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION The first edition, published in April, 1958 was needed in responding to queries following a mineral show on the Depart- ment T-V program "Michigan Conservation11. The second edition, July, 1959) was characterized by the addition of the section on gem stones* An abstracted version of the second edition titled "Pebbles to Pendants" was published in the July, 1958 issue of "Michigan Conservation". The present 'third edition is another major revision. Among the new materials added are: l) bedrock geologic map, 2) mineral industries map, 3) rock column and time scale, 4) mineral and fossil sketches, and 5) locality sketch maps* These, along with the cover, were prepared by Jim Campbell of our staff. The book list has been expanded and several titles were added to the articles list. Suggestions received from Arthur Johnstone, of the Michigan Mineralogical Society, were particularly helpful. Information regarding mineral and lapidary businesses may be found in the appropriate advertising media as well as from many of the clubs. Robert W. Kelley, Geologist Geological Survey Division Michigan Dept. Conservation March, I960 Lansing MICHIGAN'S MIN ERAL EXTRACTING INDUSTRIES D NON-METALLIC B BRINE H SALT 0 CLAY 0 SHALE 9 DOLOMITE H LIMESTONE 13 SAND& GRAVELCPRINCIPAL AREA) H GLASS SAND 0 GYPSUM B SANDSTONE D MARLCPRINCIPAL AREA) B PEAT • MISCELLANEOUS STONE A METALLIC L COPPER A IRON O FUELS <D GAS • OIL MAJOR FIELDS € OIL & GAS INDIANA O H I O GENERAL INFORMATION INTRODUCTION Interest in collecting minerals and gem stones and in doing lapidary work certainly is on the increase today.
  • Turquoise in the Burro Mountains, New Mexico

    Turquoise in the Burro Mountains, New Mexico

    TURQUOISE IN THE BURRO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO. EDWARD R. ZALINSKI. [The following notes are from data collected during the year •9o5 while the writer was superintendent of the Azure Mining Company's property near Silver City. It was his intention to make a detailed study of the sub- ject, but this professional duties have hitherto prevented and in the following pages are presented the tentative conclusionsof an unfinished investigation.] HISTORY AND LOCALITIES. Turquoiseoriginally came fr4m' Persia by wayof Turkeyand was importedby the Venetians,who called it Turchesa,of which its presentname is the French variation. In America it has long been known to the southwesternIndians and was used by them for ornaments and mosaic work. Professor W. P. Blake, in •858 and '59, called attention to its occurrence at Cerrillos, New Mexico, where it had been mined by the aboriginesand early Spaniards. This locality has producedsome valuable gems, but the mines are not at present worked. Turquoise has been found also at Turquoise Moun- tain, CochiseCounty, and Mineral Park, Mohave County, Ari- zona; near Columbus and near Crescent, in southern Nevada; in Fresno County, California; and in Colorado. In New Mexico, besides Cerrillos mentioned above, it is known at Hachiti; in the Burro Mountains, Grant County; and in the Jarrilla Moun- tains, Otero County. The modern discovery of turquoise in the Burro Mountains dates from •875, but these depositswere known to the Indians and were worked by them. Remains of ancient operationsare still to be seen, while stone hammers, implements and fragments of pottery have been found near the old excavations.
  • The Seven Crystal Systems

    The Seven Crystal Systems

    Learning Series: Basic Rockhound Knowledge The Seven Crystal Systems The seven crystal systems are a method of classifying crystals according to their atomic lattice or structure. The atomic lattice is a three dimensional network of atoms that are arranged in a symmetrical pattern. The shape of the lattice determines not only which crystal system the stone belongs to, but all of its physical properties and appearance. In some crystal healing practices the axial symmetry of a crystal is believed to directly influence its metaphysical properties. For example crystals in the Cubic System are believed to be grounding, because the cube is a symbol of the element Earth. There are seven crystal systems or groups, each of which has a distinct atomic lattice. Here we have outlined the basic atomic structure of the seven systems, along with some common examples of each system. Cubic System Also known as the isometric system. All three axes are of equal length and intersect at right angles. Based on a square inner structure. Crystal shapes include: Cube (diamond, fluorite, pyrite) Octahedron (diamond, fluorite, magnetite) Rhombic dodecahedron (garnet, lapis lazuli rarely crystallises) Icosi-tetrahedron (pyrite, sphalerite) Hexacisochedron (pyrite) Common Cubic Crystals: Diamond Fluorite Garnet Spinel Gold Pyrite Silver Tetragonal System Two axes are of equal length and are in the same plane, the main axis is either longer or shorter, and all three intersect at right angles. Based on a rectangular inner structure. Crystal shapes include: Four-sided prisms and pyramids Trapezohedrons Eight-sided and double pyramids Icosi-tetrahedron (pyrite, sphalerite) Hexacisochedron (pyrite) Common Tetragonal Crystals: Anatase Apophyllite Chalcopyrite Rutile Scapolite Scheelite Wulfenite Zircon Hexagonal System Three out of the four axes are in one plane, of the same length, and intersect each other at angles of 60 degrees.
  • WITWATERSRAND GEM and MINERAL CLUB

    WITWATERSRAND GEM and MINERAL CLUB

    WITWATERSRAND GEM and MINERAL CLUB Newsletter for SEPTEMBER 2014 P O Box 3708 Cresta 2118 South Africa nd Room 215 G, 2 floor Department of Geology University of Johannesburg Auckland Park JUST A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Whilst we are surviving hopefully the last of the winter, spring is upon us. And so out with the old and in with the new - the new amended constitution was accepted on the 13th August at the Special General Meeting. Thank you for all who attended the meeting, voted and enjoyed the social evening afterwards. Please forward any gem or mineral news, adverts or articles which you feel should be within our next newsletter, please forward to [email protected] or call me on 072 591 6202. Rock on!!! EVENT CALENDAR FOR 2014 – Please diarize the following dates THEMED EVENING on 10th September at UJ – Bring specimens relating to the Feldspar Group and Pseudomorphs SPEAKER EVENING on 24th September at UJ – no speaker due to the public holiday, however we will view a presentation from the Dallas Mineral Collection Symposium, 2013 The 21st General Meeting of the International Mineralogical Association will be held in South Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng, from 1–5 September 2014. For more information go to www.ima2014.co.za Kimberley Diamond Symposium & Trade Show: 11 - 13 September 2014 African Exploration Showcase : 7 November 2014 WGMC Year-end evening: 26 November 2014 (members only) CLUB MEETINGS The club meets every second and last Wednesday of each month at 19h00 for 19h30, excluding December, at the University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Department of Geology, Second Floor.
  • Scandium Mineralization Associated with Hydrothermal Lazulite-Quartz Veins in the Lower Austroalpine Grobgneis Complex, Eastern Alps, Austria

    Scandium Mineralization Associated with Hydrothermal Lazulite-Quartz Veins in the Lower Austroalpine Grobgneis Complex, Eastern Alps, Austria

    Bernhard, F. (2001): Scandium mineralization associated with hydrothermal lazulite-quartz veins in the Lower Austroalpine Grobgneis complex, Eastern Alps, Austria. In: Piestrzynski A. et al. (eds.): Mineral Deposits at the Beginning of the 21st Century. Proceedings of the joint sixth biennial SGA-SEG meeting. Kraków, Poland. A.A.Balkema Publishers, 935-938. Scandium mineralization associated with hydrothermal lazulite-quartz veins in the Lower Austroalpine Grobgneis complex, Eastern Alps, Austria F. Bernhard Institut für Technische Geologie und Angewandte Mineralogie, Technische Universität Graz, Rechbauerstraße 12, A-8010 Graz, Austria ABSTRACT: Lazulite (MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2)-quartz veins within the Lower Austroalpine Grobgneis complex, Austria, have Sc-contents up to 200 ppm. The predominant Sc-carrier is pretulite, ScPO4, and this phase oc- curs as a wide-spread accessory mineral. Vein formation took place at temperatures of 300-500° C and low pressure during Permo-Triassic extensional tectonics and fluid flow. Mg-enriched alteration zones suggest that vein material was not derived from the immediate host rocks. Eo-Alpine metamorphism and deformation overprinted the veins to varying degrees. Despite the low tonnage of the Sc-rich veins, this new type of Sc- mineralization may point to larger Sc-accumulations in similar phosphate-rich hydrothermal environments. 1 INTRODUCTION The long-known lazulite (MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2)- quartz veins in northeastern Styria and southern Scandium is a moderately abundant transition ele- Lower Austria contain significant Sc-enrichments in ment with an average content ca. 7 ppm in the upper the form of pretulite, ScPO4 (Bernhard et al. 1998b). and ca. 25 ppm in the lower continental crust (We- This contribution gives data on the geology, miner- depohl 1995).