La Prieta Linda, Jalimas, Chihuahue, Mexico

Hi all,

Has anyone heard of the following locality: La Prieta Linda, Jalimas, Chihuahua, Mexico.
It is currently not in the mindat database, it is supposed to be a small time mine sometime during the 70thies.

The specimen I got from this locality is a very dark purple Fluorite with stepped faces and very translucent. You would say it originated in the Coahuila region (Tule mine, Esperanza mine,...), with one minor setback. This specimen is associated with double terminated golden brown/yellowish Calcite crystals. The Calcite is translucent with opaque faces. I haven't seen that association from Coahuila yet.

If there is anyone that can confirm the mines existence. If not, I will post a pic of the specimen soon and perhaps there can be some other ideas as to the provenance.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!
Philip

Philip,

The La Prieta (Linda) mine in Chihuahua is known for lustrous black andradite garnets, but not much else as far as i know. One of my labels has La Prieta Linda and the other just La Prieta.

You fluorite certainly sounds like it is from the Melchor Muzquiz district in Coahuila (Esperanza, Tule or Sierra Grande mines) - the stepped faces and dark purple is usually distinctive but as you say, associated calcite is unusual. Some specimens have very nice bladed celestine in association.

Steve

Stephen,

Thank you for your reply.

I was researching Jalimas, Chihuahua to get an idea of its whereabouts, but had no luck. All I could find close to the word "Jalimas" is "Julimas". Julimas is on the other side of a mountain range from Melchor Muzquiz in Coahuila (about 300kms). Julimas (or Mun. Julimas) is registered in mindat, but no Fluorite or Calcite listed or a Prieta (or Prieta Linda) mine.

Will try and post a picture of the specimen tonight.

Best wishes,
Philip



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2012 06:47AM by Philip Mostmans.

Hi All,

Sorry for not getting back sooner. Attached is a quick photograph of the specimen in question. Hopefully this might help in identifying the locality.

Best wishes,

Philip

Ideas anyone?

My guess is your piece is really from Muzquiz. And La Prieta Linda mine (named after the song? ...or a cantina?) could have been the place of purchase, or it accidentally got mixed up in a batch of other minerals from there.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2012 04:02PM by Alfredo Petrov.

Thanks for the input. You said exactly what I expected .
Will post the photo to the forum of Jordi Fabre, see what that turns up, otherwise it will go down labeled as Muzquiz.

Cheers!
Philip

Hi,
I asked Benny Fenn about this. He did not see the picture but also did not think it came from Julimas.
Dennis