Part I: Electric Blues from the Milpillas Mine
Many mineral experts do consider Milpillas azurite the best ever found. Many of these amazing specimens are a brilliant, electricblue color. The varieties of azurite found there span the full range of monoclinic crystal forms, and crystals occur in sizes that can be over 4 inches in length. Virtually all the azurites from this mine are brilliantly lustrous; they are not etched or dulled by a distracting mineral coating.
Huge pockets lined with worldclass azurite crystals were common in this mine, and many of them were named. The azurites were not found on a dull, brown matrix, but on gorgeous, green, velvety malachite, on contrasting white clay, or on lightgray volcanic breccia. No wonder it has caused such excitement in the mineral world! This mine has only been operating for less than two decades.
The Milpillas deposit, whose existence was predicted in 1975, was explored through drilling in the 1980s and 1990s, and was proved feasible in 2002. Actual mining starting in 2006, and within a year the sheer beauty, variety, quantity, and overall quality of the azurite crystal specimens earned this mine the status of a worldclass source.
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Rock&Gem Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Rock&Gem Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
This News is for the Birds
The amazing range of the would-be birds!
CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE
California magnesite plasma agate is a kaleidoscope of minerals. Much like its neighbor from Clear Creek, it contains chalcedony, serpentine, jadeite and chromite.
HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL
Even though Mother Nature creates almost unbounded types and numbers of beautiful materials for cabbing, often I struggle to find a slab that will work for the project that I want to do.
PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149
I am frequently asked what my favorite gemstone designs are and where to find them. After my trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I updated my list of favorites to include gemstone designer, Phan Thanh Trung.
Copper Minerals: My Favorite
I have lived in the “Copper State” of Arizona for 65 years so it should not surprise readers that copper minerals are among my favorites to collect.
OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE
The widely acclaimed, 2023 Hollywood biographical movie Oppenheimer recently won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy).
Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones
Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs true because you choose to believe them? Whether it is religion, science or the metaphysical, your belief and faith make it real to you in mind, body and soul.
Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age
Rhode Island may be 22nd out of 30 states in miles of total coastline but when you compare coastline length to land acres, it ranks second only to Maryland.
Black Range Amethyst
Amethyst in Southwest New Mexico
EQUINE Bling!
How an Oklahoma Saddle Maker Uses Moissanite, Gold, Silver Turquoise tc to Adorn Saddles Jewelry