Articles

Pyromorphite - The Green Lead Ore

Pyromorphite - The Green Lead Ore

Pyromorphite is a secondary lead mineral, very popular among collectors. Pyromorphite forms outstanding and highly aesthetic bright green crystal clusters. Less often, this mineral is used as an ore of lead.

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Sphalerite - The Zinc Blende

Sphalerite - The Zinc Blende

Sphalerite is common, but it does not often show up in casual collections of minerals, despite its occurrence in several different colors. This is perhaps because sphalerite is most commonly found in black or dark gray due to the frequent presence of iron impurities in its makeup.

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Mineral and Gold Prospecting - reality TV shows

Mineral and Gold Prospecting - reality TV shows

In the last few years, reality shows with prospectors and minerals became quite widespread. Despite some exaggeration, these shows still might be quite interesting and there is a lot to learn. This overview covers The Gold Rush, The Prospectors and The Ice Cold Gold.

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Azurite - the Royal Blue

Azurite - the Royal Blue

Azurite is a secondary copper mineral, which forms outstanding specimens. It is very popular among mineral collectors because of its beautiful shade of blue and highly sought after dark crystals, often combined with green malachite.

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Talc - the Soapstone

Talc - the Soapstone

Although most mineral collectors are not attracted by talc, it is still an interesting mineral. It has set of quite unique physical properties, which create endless options for various industrial applications.

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Silver: mineral and native element overview

Silver: mineral and native element overview

Silver is a beautiful mineral and native element. It is known as one of the precious metals, and its history dates back to ancient civilizations, where it was used in many of the ways that it still is today. Sometimes, silver is mined as native silver, but most of the time, it comes from sulfide ores.

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Magnetite - the Iron King

Magnetite - the Iron King

Magnetite is an iron rich mineral from the spinel group. It is the most important industrial source of iron and a natural ferromagnetic substance. Magnetite is common, but it is a very nice and interesting mineral.

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