PYRITE - The "Fools Gold" Stone

Lets start by how you may see Pyrite when looking for it. First it could be a 'cube' attached to a host rock, or a bunch of small 'crystals' in amoung other crystals such as Quartz, or maybe the real fooler, a Golden Pyrite "clump'. These are not the only way Pyrite appears however, as can be seen in several of the following pictures.

There are several shiny brassy yellow minerals, but pyrite is by far the most common and the most often mistaken for gold. Whether it is the golden look or something else, pyrite is a favorite among rock collectors. It can have a beautiful luster and interesting crystals. It is so common in the earth's crust that it is found in almost every possible environment, hence it has a vast number of forms and varieties. During their search for forture, many infamous shouts ocurred amid the Old West propsectors "There's Gold in that Riverbed !" only to be disappointed in finding Pyrite or as the golden rock quickly became known as "fools gold". Many a gold seaker was fooled by this shiny yellow mineral that looks so similar to gold.

Pyrite is a polymorph of Marcasite, which means that it has the same chemistry, FeS2, as Marcasite; but a different structure and therefore different symmetry and crystal shapes. Pyrite is difficult to distinguish from marcasite when a lack of clear indicators exists, as can be seen by the following picture of a piece of Marcasite.

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Almost any rock that looks a little rusty will mostly likely contain some pyrite. Pyrite is cubic crystals composed of iron sulfide; spherical and bulbous pyrites also exist; it is found in large quantities, mainly in coal mines and near clay workings. It comes in a vast number of forms and varieties, but the most common crystal shapes are cubic and octahedral.
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One sought-after form is flattened nodules found in chalk, siltstone and shale called “pyrite suns’ or ‘pyrite dollars’. These nodules are usually made from thin pyrite crystals radiating from the center.

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Enourmous amounts of small Pyrite crystal clusters come from Oruro and Colavi, Bolivia. In Navajun (Logroño), Spain, large cubic crystals, are abundant. They are frequently embedded in a light brown matrix, and are occasionally twinned.

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Perfect crystals occur in Rio Marina on the island of Elba, Italy. In the U.S., there are also many fine localities. In Park City, Bingham Co., Utah, very large, well shaped Pyritohedrons and Pyrite Cubes have been found, as well as in the American Mine in the Bingham Canyon, Salt Lake Co., Utah. Large, intergrown cubes, many times partially octahedral, occur in abundance at Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado. Pyrite "Dollars" are mostly found in Sparta, Randolph Co., Illinois. The French Creek Mine in Chester Co., Pennsylvania is famous for the octahedral crystals that occur there, although most are distorted. Many interesting nodules were recently discovered in Alden, Monroe Co., New York.

The use of Pyrite in decorations is also quite common. How many times have you visited a mine to see mining scenes in Pyrite avaiable on the sales counters.

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And more recently, Pyrite has been faceted so that it can be made into jewelry such as rings, pendants or earrings.

MARCASITE - a Jewelry Trade Name misnomer !

The mineral Marcasite, many times called "white iron Pyrite" or "fools gold", is iron sulfide. Though Marcasite has the same chemical formula as Pyrite, it is a polymorph of Pyrite and crystalizes in a different crystal system, thereby making it a totally separate mineral. Marcasite (picture to right) is often mistakenly confused with Pyrite (picture below) but Marcasite is lighter and more brittle. Specimens of Marcasite often crumble and break up due to the unstable crystal structure, and it is this crystal structure that is the main difference between Marcasite and Pyrite.

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Marcasite can be formed as both a primary or a secondary mineral. As a primary mineral it forms nodules, concretions and crystals in a variety of sedimentary rock, where it forms as sharp individual crystals and crystal groups. As a secondary mineral it forms by chemical alteration of a primary mineral such as Chalcopyrite. On fresh surfaces it is pale yellow to almost white and has a bright metallic luster. It tarnishes to a yellowish or brownish color and gives a black streak. It is a brittle material that cannot be scratched with a knife.

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Marcasite may go through a condition known as "Pyrite decay", in which a specimen slowly disintegrates into a white powder. When a specimen goes through pyrite decay, the marcasite reacts with moisture in the air, the sulfur combining with water to produce sulfuric acid that attacks other sulfide minerals. It is unsafe to have around at this point.

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The Marcasite/Pyrite polymorph pair is probably the most famous polymorph pair next to the Diamond/Graphite pair. Adding to the confusion between Marcasite and Pyrite is the use of the word "Marcasite" as a 'Jewelry Trade Name'. The term is applied to small polished and faceted stones, usually Pyrite that are inlayed in sterling silver and sometime platenium with black rhodium highlighting the stones. But even though the jewelry trade refers to these small stones as "Marcasite", they are actually small pieces of Pyrite. In jewelry, Pyrite is used as the gemstone and is improperly termed "Marcasite" following the misnomer of the trade name. True Marcasite is never used as a gemstone in settings due to its brittle and chemically unstable structure.

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Pendants of Sterling Silver with "Marcasite (Pyrite)" stones as highlights
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For collectors pieces of Marcasite are prized in a collection. But they must be kept sealed in air tight containers so that they do not break down and become a pile of white powder. Miners, however, often viewed Pyrite and Marcasite negatively since they had a deceptive appearance, which many mistook for gold. Many based their opinions on where to dig or pan based on pieces of these minerals being in the ground or water, and too late learned that these stones were worthless. Thusly they inherited the name "fool’s gold".
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QUARTZSITE - A major prelude to Tucson 2010 !

Welcome to QUARTZSITE and Desert Gardens on the California - Arizona State Line.

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2010 Calendar of Events

January 01 - February 28, 2010 Desert Gardens-Gem & Mineral Show

January 01 - January 10, 2010 Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show

January 09 - February 24, 2010 Main Event

January 15 - January 24, 2010 Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama

January 16 - January 24, 2010 Sports, Vacation & RV Show

January 27 - January 31. 2010 Hobby Craft & Gem Show

January 29 - February 7, 2010 Tyson Wells Arts & Craft Fair

January 20 - January 24, 2010 Annual Pow Wow

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Then it is on to the Tucson Gem Fair 2010 during February !

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When its clear it is beautiful, but then the wind and sand rolls in.
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but the Show goes on, and the weather clears again.

There is plenty to see, masses of rock and minerals all over the place, inside and out.

Tables of new material, like Imperial Sarah Jasper,

or buckets of everything and anything imaginable,

and hugh slabs of Tigereye and TigerIron,

or maybe even some unknown wierd stuff.

How about a Geode big enough to stand or sit in
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and a few odd things also.

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Whatever you want, you could probably find it at QUARTZSITE and for sure at the following Tucson Gem Fair 2010. Many of the vendors at QUARTZSITE will move to Tucson as the various different shows open up there during the month of February.

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Pictures thanks to Ron, theimage1 and Quartzite.com.

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Colorado "Aquamarine" !

Aquamarine was officially adopted as Colorado's State Gemstone by the State Legislature in 1971. Unlike Peridot, Topaz, Garnet, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Pyrite, Citrine, Amazonite, Rhofdnite, Fluorite and Agate, Aquamarine is actually only found in one place in Colorado, the mountain peaks of Mount Antero and White Mountain. -- but it is very high quality.

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Aquamarine is the blue, or perhaps more correctly, blue-green or aqua variety of the mineral Beryl. Other gemstone color varieties that are also the mineral beryl include Emeralds (green), Morganite (pink/purple) and Heliodor (yellow). Other colors of beryl are simply referred to by their color, such as Red Beryl. Aquamarine is sometimes found in huge crystals (unlike emerald). It is also known in a glassy form, often without showing crystal form, and sometimes with many holes or other odd shapes. Other times a large cluster of prismatic crystals can be seen to all have the same alignment - a sign that it is really a single crystal with many faces.

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Mining and collecting the Colorado Aquamarine is only for the well fit. Mt. Antero is the 10th highest peak in the state at 14,269 feet in elevation. It is located between the towns of Buena Vista and Salida and borders the west of the Arkansas River valley in the Collegiate Peaks range. Today it is still a challenge and adventure to go up the mountain, whether by foot or four-wheel drive. The 7 mile "one way" drive is rocky, bumpy, steep, narrow, and above the timberline involves some hazards. One miscue on the switchbacks or shelf road could result in a tumble of a thousand feet or more! There are both patented and unpatented mining claims in the area, but most of the land is considered open for hand-digging. The only known off-limits area is the actual tunnel of the California Mine (patented claim). As of a few years ago the access portal had caved in and was covered with slide debris. Things can change, so be aware of any strictly enforced "keep out" areas that may exist. As a side note from an article published in late 2007: Things have definitely changed and not all for the better. It has become increasingly difficult for outsiders to legally hunt up on the mountains due to a recent proliferation of new mining claims. Mt. White has seen an enormous amount of activity. Most of the claims have been productive off and on, although no record of recent major finds. Another problem facing collectors is that the State closes down the roads (if you can call them that) in both locations in bad weather except to claim holders. But not all is lost with the profusion of other gems, minerals, rocks and fossils available all over the state.

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Arkansas "Diamond"

A rough yellow Diamond from Arkansas

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The Arkansas Legislature designated the Diamond as the official state gem in 1967, along with the Quartz crystal as the state mineral and Bauxite as the state rock. Arkansas is one of the few places in North America, other than Canada, where diamonds are present and currently the only place in the world where tourists may hunt for them. The importance of diamonds in Arkansas history is also acknowledged on the State Flag and the Arkansas state commemorative quarter issued in 2003.

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Diamonds were discovered in Arkansas in 1906 near the mouth of Prairie Creek southeast of Murfreesboro, and later diamonds were reported from two small areas two miles northeast of the Prairie Creek pipe. The Crater of Diamonds volcanic pipe is part of a 95 million-year-old eroded volcano. The deeply sourced lamproite magma, from the upper mantle, brought the diamonds to the surface. The diamonds had crystallized in the cratonic root of the continent long before, and were sampled by the magma as it rose to the surface. This lamproite diamond source is unusual, as almost all diamonds are mined from kimberlite and from alluvial deposits of diamonds weathered from kimberlite. The only other prominent lamproite diamond source is the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia. Although these discoveries in Arkansas created a modest local sensation, attempts to mine Arkansas diamonds commercially during the first half of the twentieth century were without sustained success. In the 1950s man-made diamonds suitable for industrial purposes were developed and sealed the fate on Arkansas' diamond mining prospects.

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The failed commercial mining operations became a tourist attraction after World War II. The State of Arkansas bought the volcanic pipe property and some surrounding acreage for $750,000, which became the Crater of Diamonds State Park in 1972. The lure of finding gem-quality stones has drawn a steady flow of visitors to this unique attraction: nearly 2.3 million guests visited the park from 1972 to 2005. To aid the visitors in finding diamonds and other gemstones, the park plows up the fields several times a year to bring new lamporite to the surface. Park visitors find more than 600 diamonds each year of all colors and grades. Over 25,000 diamonds have been found in the crater since it became a state park. Visitors may keep any gemstone they find regardless of its value. In addition to diamonds, visitors may find semi-precious gems such as Amethyst, Agate, Apaptite, Jasper, Garnet, Quartz, Baryte, Fluorite, Calcite and some 40 other minerals. In nearby Hot Springs are located several Quartz mines, also open to the public for digging.

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Rhode Island "Bowenite" !

Bowenite, adopted by the State Legislature in 1966, is a Serpentine mineral, and a close relation of Jade and thusly can be considered a semi-precious stone. It is found in the Northern part of Rhode Island in association with Limestone and is found in different colors; light yellow, canary yellow, light and dark green, gray and blue. As seen in the picture, the green variety looks a lot like Jade and thus why misnamed originally and why it still carries the name "Rhode Island Jade" as of today. It was discovered in the early 1800's by a Rhode Island geologist, George Bowen, and was so named in his honor.

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A variety of Chrysotile Serpentine that is massively shaped and composed of densely packed colorless fibers that is a Serpentine mineral relative of Jade, aka Nephrite. It was first identified as Nephrite 1822, but finally changed a decade later. It has a waxy lustre sometimes translucent appearance and ranges from opaque to translucent and is known also collectively as 'Noble' or 'Precious Serpentine' and many times carried the name "Rhode Island Jade". However, it does not have the same hardness or density as Jadeite or Nephrite. Bowenite can be scratched with a carbon steel knife, but Jade can not. A little bit of mineral oil or oil from your forehead can easily make the scratch invisible again.

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Since there is so much confusion over Bowenite, the State Legislature finally decided to classify it as a mineral, rather than a rock or gemstone when making it an Official Symbol of the State.

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SERAPHINITE - The Russian Angel Stone ! !

Almost everyone knows the story of Alexanderite and its connection to the Russian Zars and the rarity of the gemstone. Alexandrite was originally discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1830 and named after the boy Czar, Alexander ll. But few seem to be aware of another spectactular Russian gemstone. It is a commonly known Mineral Specimen stone due to its softness, but few realize it can also be a fantastic jewelry gemstone.

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Seraphinite is a lovely dark-green stone that changes its sparkle and coloration as you view it from different positions. It comes from the mine “Korshunovskaia” which is situated not far from Baikal Lake in Eastern Siberia, Russia, near the same area where Chrome Diopsite and Charoite are mined. Seraphinite forms through the metamorphic and hydrothermal alterations of other iron and magnesium silicate minerals. It crystalizes in the form of foliated or granular masses and also as tabular crystals. It has a hardness is 2 – 2,5 (Moh’s Scale), density of 2,6, and a Chemical formula H8 Mg5 Al2 Si3 O18.

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Seraphinite is the gem quality variety of Clinochlore. Clinochlore was found by the Russian mineralogist Nikolai I. Koksharov (1818 – 1892) who was once the director of the Russian Imperial Mineralogical Society. This mineral got its name from the Greek words for inclined and green since its structure is monoclinic and its common color is green.

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Seraphinite has silvery chatoyant fibers much like charoite. Many agree that the fibers are the result of Mica being trapped in the veins of the stone. Often referred to as "an angel stone" due to its feathery look and strong Air to Earth qualities, it is difficult to say these days who gave this “Angel” name to the stone, but they say that it helps one to contact angels and communicate with them. Seraphiniteis is said to have become one of the premier healing stones of the 21st Century. It is strongly recommended for use in strengthening and activating all of the chakras.

There is a common opinion that seraphinite can be used only as a mineral specimen, because of its softness. But Seraphinite looks great in jewelry and can keep a polish/shine quite well, and it is not as fragile as it appears. But because of its softness it can easily be formed into beads of all shapes and sizes.

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Seraphinite definitely looks best mounted in Platinum, White Gold or Silver. It can be mounted in rings, but greatly discouraged because it can be so easily damaged due to its softness.

A good pendant or earring mounting is best for protecting the cut and polished Seraphinite stones.

In the past several years, a variety of Clinochlore has been found in the West Chester area of Pennsylvania. Many call it Seraphinite because of the close resemblance to the Russian material.

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Show and Craft Fair Set-up !

There has always been a delima as to how one sets up a sales display for Craft Fairs, Bazaars and Shows. I am sure there is no right or wrong way, but over the years we have come to find certain ways seem to be preferred by customers. This may be a regional thing also. What works in Texas may not in Oregon or New York, but may in Georgia.
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When we first started out other vendors seemed to use the "L" or "U" shape, where the customers came directly into the sales area. So we started out with a "U" shape at the first show (pic #1), which wasn't too bad in a 12x10 space, but it made for very close quarters when using a 10x10 tent outside (pic #2 & 3). Outside events generally mean vendors use tents in a 10x10 or 10x20 ft vendor space. However, we have found inside spaces can be 10x10, 12x10, 15x10 and in some case 10x8 ft in size.
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.Using the larger 12x10 or 15x10 ft spaces inside, we tried several different varients on this theme for a while (pic #4, 5 & 6), but being so close to and almost in the face of someone looking at the items, seemed to be a bit awkard and intimidating to the customer.

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A Visit to the Tuscon Gem Show was an eye opener. Although those with very large booths had the come-in and look around set-up, the majority of the smaller booths (pic #7 & #8)seemed to be set up where the customer stayed to the outside and the vendor inside the tables. These pictures of two of the major shows at Tucson show this concept.

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Now after several years of trial and error, we have decided that usually the best presentation is where the items being sold are placed on a table towards the customers, and we stay behind the table to discuss their options and purchases with them (pic #9 & #10). We then leave a walkway, where once they are pretty sure what they want, we can go outside the tables to help them try items on and hold a mirror for them.

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Placing display tables along the outside even works well when using the 10x10 ft tent (pic #11).

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However the ideal situation ocurrs when one is lucky enough to be able to obtain a corner location (Pic #12 & #13), even if it has a pole as seen in the last picture.

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As can also be noticed in the later photos, backdrops and draps, if not against a wall, also greatly enhance the displays so customers are not looking through your displays into those behind or beside you.

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Just remember each time you setup, be prepared for a whole new experience and things happen that have never happened before.

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