Articles

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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Graphite - the Writing Stone

Graphite - the Writing Stone

Graphite is a very important mineral, although it is not much to look at. It has a lot of uses in the world today, and it may be closer to you than you think! It is a direct opposite of its close relative, diamond.

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Report from Munich Mineral Show 2015

Report from Munich Mineral Show 2015

Munich show is the largest show in the Europe and visited by many international dealers. Many nice worldwide specimens were available as well as many minerals from European collectors. It is also a nice place to meet friends from all over the world.

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Malachite - the Copper Green

Malachite - the Copper Green

Brilliant green color makes malachite a very popular and widely-recognized stone. Bright color, aesthetic specimens and reasonable price make this interesting mineral very popular among collectors.

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Calcite - Mineral Properties, Photos and Occurence

Calcite - Mineral Properties, Photos and Occurence

Of all sedimentary minerals, calcite is probably the most widespread, contributing a full 2% to the volume of the Earth's crust. It occurs in endless crystal forms with many different colors. With such variety it is not surprising that some collectors specialize on calcite alone.

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Agate - the Banded Gemstone

Agate - the Banded Gemstone

Agate is a beautiful and very popular gemstone that is widely recognized for its unique and varied colors and banding. It is a type of microcrystalline quartz that is commonly used as an affordable alternative to pricey gemstones in jewelry. It may also be carved into figures or statues, or used in handles for knives.

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