Difference between revisions of "Mineral collecting"
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==Setup== | ==Setup== | ||
| − | Minerals are usually displayed on a simple shelf, but cubit or grid shelves are more aesthetically pleasing. For small samples, a grid storage box with a transparent glass or acrylic lid is also a good choice. The minerals are generally identified with a proper label. Air-sensitive, light-sensitive or toxic minerals are generally kept inside glass or plastic boxes or containers, although many skilled hobbyists may [[Ampoule production|ampoule]] them or even encase them in acrylic blocks, which are more resistant and much easier to handle. Just like in the case of [[compound collecting]], the minerals can be displayed based on any category. | + | Minerals are usually displayed on a simple shelf, but cubit or grid shelves are more aesthetically pleasing. For small samples, a grid storage box with a transparent glass or acrylic lid is also a good choice. The minerals are generally identified with a proper label. Air-sensitive, light-sensitive or toxic minerals are generally kept inside glass or plastic boxes or containers, although many skilled hobbyists may [[Ampoule production|ampoule]] them or even encase them in acrylic blocks, which are more resistant and much easier to handle. Just like in the case of [[compound collecting]], the minerals can be displayed based on any category (element, color, etc.). |
==Common minerals== | ==Common minerals== | ||
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*'''Fibrous minerals''': [[asbestos]], Pele’s hair, etc. | *'''Fibrous minerals''': [[asbestos]], Pele’s hair, etc. | ||
*'''Rare minerals''': [[sodium hexafluoroaluminate|cryolite]], [[Anthraquinone|hoelite]], moissanite, musgravite, painite, sperrylite, etc. | *'''Rare minerals''': [[sodium hexafluoroaluminate|cryolite]], [[Anthraquinone|hoelite]], moissanite, musgravite, painite, sperrylite, etc. | ||
| − | *'''Biologically derived''': amber, coral, diatomite, natural [[coal]] (anthracite, bituminous coal, lignite, natural graphite), petrified wood, pitch, etc. | + | *'''Biologically derived''': amber, coral, diatomite, fusain, natural [[coal]] (anthracite, bituminous coal, lignite, natural graphite), petrified wood, pitch, etc. |
*'''Other minerals''': impactite, meteorites, native [[sulfur]], natural [[glass]] (desert glass, fulgurite, moldavite), shocked quartz, tektite, etc. | *'''Other minerals''': impactite, meteorites, native [[sulfur]], natural [[glass]] (desert glass, fulgurite, moldavite), shocked quartz, tektite, etc. | ||
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==Handling== | ==Handling== | ||
===Safety=== | ===Safety=== | ||
| − | While most minerals are non-toxic, heavy metal containing minerals may pose hazard, mostly in their powdered form. All forms asbestos are | + | While most minerals are non-toxic, heavy metal containing minerals may pose hazard, mostly in their powdered form. All forms [[asbestos]] are known to be toxic. |
===Legality=== | ===Legality=== | ||
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In some countries, heavy metal minerals, such as realgar and cinnabar, may require a hazardous substance license. | In some countries, heavy metal minerals, such as realgar and cinnabar, may require a hazardous substance license. | ||
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| + | ==Gallery== | ||
| + | <gallery widths="220" position="center" columns="4" orientation="none"> | ||
| + | Asbestos.jpg|Chrysotile or white asbestos from Crystal grower´s collection. | ||
| + | Carbon.jpg|Native carbon - Graphite. | ||
| + | Diatomaceous earth rock.jpg|Raw piece of diatomite. | ||
| + | Galena.jpg|Galena ore | ||
| + | Galena with pyrite.jpg|Galena ore with pyrite | ||
| + | Quartz crystal.jpg|Natural quartz crystal. | ||
| + | Na CL.jpg|Rock salt - halite. | ||
| + | Native sulfur zts16.jpg|A chunk of native sulfur from Texas, low purity. | ||
| + | Rubies.jpg|Small rubies from Madagascar. | ||
| + | Vanadinite.jpg|Beautiful crystals of vanadinite. | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 22:37, 26 August 2023
Mineral collecting is the hobby or activity of collecting, identifying and displaying mineral specimens. Gem collecting is also included here.
Contents
General
Mineral collecting is a very broad activity: some hobbyists will collect minerals from unique places or foreign countries as souvenir; other will collect rare or beautiful types or minerals, even expensive minerals. The latter category is more common.
Setup
Minerals are usually displayed on a simple shelf, but cubit or grid shelves are more aesthetically pleasing. For small samples, a grid storage box with a transparent glass or acrylic lid is also a good choice. The minerals are generally identified with a proper label. Air-sensitive, light-sensitive or toxic minerals are generally kept inside glass or plastic boxes or containers, although many skilled hobbyists may ampoule them or even encase them in acrylic blocks, which are more resistant and much easier to handle. Just like in the case of compound collecting, the minerals can be displayed based on any category (element, color, etc.).
Common minerals
There are thousands upon thousands of mineral species, however most collectors tend to revolve around several categories:
- Common rocks: feldspar, granite, marble, mica, quartz, etc.
- Colored minerals: azurite, cinnabar, fluorite, galena, malachite, pyrite, etc.
- Ores: bauxite, cassiterite, galena, native elements (gold, silver), pyrolusite, sphalerite, etc.
- Gemstones: amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, onyx, opal, peridot, ruby, sapphire, topaz, etc.
- Volcanic minerals: basalt, pumice, obsidian, Pele’s tears, etc.
- Fibrous minerals: asbestos, Pele’s hair, etc.
- Rare minerals: cryolite, hoelite, moissanite, musgravite, painite, sperrylite, etc.
- Biologically derived: amber, coral, diatomite, fusain, natural coal (anthracite, bituminous coal, lignite, natural graphite), petrified wood, pitch, etc.
- Other minerals: impactite, meteorites, native sulfur, natural glass (desert glass, fulgurite, moldavite), shocked quartz, tektite, etc.
Acquisition
Minerals can be purchased from various shops, fairs or online.
Uses in chemistry
Many minerals are a source of elements in chemistry, such as antimony (stibnite), beryllium (beryl), fluorine (fluorite, cryolite), lead (galena), mercury (cinnabar), potassium (sylvite), silicon (quartz), etc.
They can also be used as a source of various compounds, either salts, oxides or chalcogenides.
Some minerals, such as quartz and pumice can be used as boiling chips.
Galena can be used to make crystal radios.
Handling
Safety
While most minerals are non-toxic, heavy metal containing minerals may pose hazard, mostly in their powdered form. All forms asbestos are known to be toxic.
Legality
In most countries, obtaining minerals from protected or special status areas is frowned upon.[1]
In some countries, heavy metal minerals, such as realgar and cinnabar, may require a hazardous substance license.
Gallery
Chrysotile or white asbestos from Crystal grower´s collection.
Native carbon - Graphite.
Raw piece of diatomite.
Galena ore
Galena ore with pyrite
Natural quartz crystal.
Rock salt - halite.
A chunk of native sulfur from Texas, low purity.
Small rubies from Madagascar.
Beautiful crystals of vanadinite.
