Pseudomorphs & Replacements J to M

Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements A & B. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements C. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements D to I. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements N to P. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements Quartz. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements R to Z. Click here to view Best Minerals P, click here to view and here for Best Minerals A to Z and here for Fast Navigation of completed Best Minerals articles.


Can you help make this a better article? What good localities have we missed? Can you supply pictures of better specimens than those we show here? Can you give us more and better information about the specimens from these localities? Can you supply better geological or historical information on these localities?





Jamesonite after Fizélyite
Romania
Maramures Co., Baia Mare (Nagybánya), Chiuzbaia (Kisbánya), Herja Mine




Juangodoyite after Chalconatronite
Chile
Tarapacá Region, Iquique Province, Santa Rosa-Huantajaya District, Santa Rosa Mine




Kaolinite after Helvite
Russia
Eastern-Siberian Region, Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia), Vilyui River Basin (Vilui River Basin; Wilui River Basin)

Kaolinite after Helvite 2.3cm	© 2001 John H. Betts

Kaolinite after Leucite
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Poços de Caldas plateau, Caldas, Osamu Utsumi mine (Campo do Cercado)

Kaolinite after Leucite~2.5cm	© Martins da Pedra

Kaolinite after Leucite
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Poços de Caldas plateau, Poços de Caldas

Kaolinite after Leucite 6.2cm	© DSW 2011

Kaolinite after Leucite
Italy
Campania, Naples Province, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Monte Somma, Sant'Anastasia, Fosso Cancherone




Kaolinite after Orthoclase
UIK
St Agnes District, St Agnes, Wheal Coates




Kaolinite after Orthoclase
UK
England, Cornwall, St Austell District, St Dennis, Slip China Stone Quarry




Kaolinite & Sericite after Feldspar
UK
England, Cornwall, St Austell District, St Stephen-in-Brannel, Melbur, Melbur China Clay Pit

Kaolinite & Sericite @ Feldspar size ?	© J.Ralph

Kaolinite & Sericite after Feldspar
UK
England, Cornwall, St Austell District, Treverbyn, Bugle, North Goonbarrow China Clay Pit




Kettnerite after bismuth mineral
Germany
Baden-Württemberg, Black Forest, Wolfach, Oberwolfach, Rankach valley, Clara Mine



K Feldspar after Marialite
Australia
Queensland, Mount Isa - Cloncurry area, Selwyn District, Mount Elliott Mine




Kidwellite after ?
USA
Georgia, Burke Co., Girard District, Girard




Kolwezite after Barite
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Western area, Kolwezi




Kutnohorite after Calcite
USA
Colorado, San Juan Co., Silverton District, Howardsville, Sunnyside Mine (American Tunnel; Mogul Mine; Washington Mine; Belle Creole; Gold Prince; Brenneman Mine; Sunnyside Mine Group)




Kyanite after Andalusite
Russia
Northern Region, Murmanskaja Oblast', Kola Peninsula, Keivy Mountains, Pestsovye Keivy, Semiostrov'e




Lazurite after Afghanite on Calcite
Afghanistan
Badakhshan Province (Badakshan Province; Badahsan Province), Koksha Valley (Kokscha Valley; Kokcha Valley), Sar-e-Sang District



The alteration of the Afghanite by Lazurite is only skin deep on this specimen.


Lazurite after Phlogopite
Afghanistan
Badakhshan Province (Badakshan Province; Badahsan Province), Koksha Valley (Kokscha Valley; Kokcha Valley), Sar-e-Sang District




Lead replacint plant roots
USA
Arizona, Santa Cruz Co., Tubac




Leadhillite after Cerussite
USA
Arizona, Pinal Co., Mammoth District, Tiger, St. Anthony deposit, Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine (Mammoth-St Anthony Mine; Mammoth Mine; St. Anthony Mine)



Examples of this pseudomorph from Tiger are rare.


leonhardite after Laumontite
Canada
Nova Scotia, Annapolis Co., Margaretville



Leonhardite is not longer considered a mineral. It is now considered a synonym of Laumontite which is not very correct either. Leonhardite was the mineral you got when Laumontite lost its water. It might be more properly be describes as a variety of Laumontite.



Leonite after Picromerite on Halite
Germany
Hesse, North Hesse, Werra Valley, Heringen, Wintershall Potash Works

Leonite @ Picromerite 9.7cm	© Rob Lavinsky

If you have any Leonite pseudomorphs after Picromerite on Halite or as loose crystals, you should take very good care of them because they are not very stable in most normal collection environments. Put them in a cool dry place that is not subject to fluctuations in humidity or temperature. Otherwise you may end up with a pile of little white crystal fragments.

Leonite after Picromerite
Germany
Thuringia, Roßleben, Potash Mine

Leonite after Picromerite 5.7cm wide	© Rob Lavinsky

Leonite after Picromerite & Halite
Ukraine
Ivano-Frankivs'k Oblast' (Ivanovo-Frankovsk Oblast'), Kalusa Salt deposit (Kalusz)

Leonite after Picromerite & Halite 6.5cm	©

Lepidolite after Elbaite
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Jequitinhonha valley, Itinga


Leucoxene is not a mineral, but rather a an alteration product and mixture of Fe-Ti oxides, including titanite, perovskite, titanian magnetite, but especially ilmenite. Most 'leucoxene' is anatase or rutile.


lepidolite @ Tourmaline in Quartz
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Jequitinhonha valley, Araçuaí (Arassuaí)




lepidolite after Tourmaline
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Jequitinhonha valley, Itinga, Teixerinha mine




lepidolite after Tourmaline
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Jequitinhonha valley, Itinga

lepidolite after Tourmaline 6.1cm tall	© DSW 2011

lepidolite after Tourmaline 3.9cm tall	© Russell G. Rizzo

lepidolite after Tourmaline
USA
California, San Diego Co., Pala District, Pala, Chief Mountain, Elizabeth R. Mine (Hazel W. claim)



Leucoxene is not a mineral but a mixture of minerals. It is an alteration product and mixture of Fe-Ti oxides, including titanite, perovskite, titanian magnetite, but especially ilmenite. Most 'leucoxene' is anatase or rutile.

leucoxene after Anatase
France
Centre, Gien, Loiret, Loire River alluvials




leucoxene after Ilmenite
France
Centre, Gien, Loiret, Loire River alluvials




leucoxene after Magnetite
Germany
Baden-Württemberg, Odenwald, Eberbach, Katzenbuckel Mt., Michelsberg Quarry





Limonite is the name is currently used for unidentified massive hydroxides and oxides of iron, with no visible crystals, and a yellow-brown streak. 'Limonite' is most commonly the mineral species goethite, but can also consist of varying proportions of maghemite, hematite, lepidocrocite, hisingerite, pitticite, jarosite group species, etc. Although the images below appear to be crystals, they are only the pseudomorphs (false forms) of minerals that have been replaced by various fine grained iron minerals that are often not easy to characterize exactly and the name limonite is commonly used to describe them. The reason that we do not capitalize the L in limonite below is because it is not an IMA approved mineral name. We use it here because it has a long track record as a useful name and one that is currently commonly used. There are a few other mineral mixtures that are pseudomorphs that we treat in a similar fashion in this article for want of a better term to describe them. It may be that limonite pseudomorphs are the most common of all pseudomorphs and you can see from the very many of them below that they are indeed abundant. Sometimes these are called Goethite pseudomorphs, but I would bet a good steak dinner that most of those are in reality limonite pseudomorphs as well.

limonite after Clinozoisite
USA
California, Riverside Co., Crestmore, Crestmore




limonite after Cuprite with Azurite & Malachite
Greece
Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture, Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District, Lavrion District Mines, Sounion Area, Agia Varvara Mines (St Barbara Mines), Sounion Mine No. 06 ("Exi" Mine)




limonite after Legrandite
Mexico
Durango, Mun. de Mapimí, Mapimí, Ojuela Mine




limonite after Marcasite
Italy
Marche, Ancona Province, Fabriano, Pecorile



limonite after Marcasite
USA
Missouri, Jasper Co., Tri-State District, Joplin Field




limonite after Marcasite
USA
Missouri, Jefferson Co., Southwest Jefferson County barite and lead District




limonite after Marcasite
USA
Wisconsin, Colombia Co.




limonite after Pyrite (devels dice)
Australia
Queensland, Mt Isa - Cloncurry area, Mount Isa district, May Downs Station, Slaughteryard Creek




limonite after Pyrite
Australia
South Australia, Flinders Ranges, North Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola area

limonite after Pyrite 4.3cm wide	© JSS

limonite after Pyrite
Australia
South Australia, Flinders Ranges, North Flinders Ranges, Chambers Gorge (Mount Chambers Gorge)




limonite after Pyrite
Australia
South Australia, Olary Province, Olary




limonite after Pyrite
Austria
Styria, Fischbacher Alpen Mts, Rettenegg, Blasenkogel Mt. (Blasenberg Mt.)




limonite after Pyrite & Quartz
Austria
Styria, Fischbacher Alpen Mts, Mürzzuschlag, Langenwang, Pretulgraben, Amundsenhöhe Mt.




limonite after Pyrite
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Doce valley, Divino das Laranjeiras




limonite after Pyrite
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Montes Claros




limonite after Pyrite
Brazil
São Paulo, Santana do Parnaíba




limonite after Pyrite
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Katanga (Shaba), Katanga Copper Crescent, Western area, Katonto hill




limonite after Pyrite
Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia, Arnsberg, Sauerland, Holzen, Calcite quarry




limonite after Pyrite
Italy
Piedmont, Torino Province, Sesia-Lanzo zone, Lanzo Valley, Viù Valley, Usseglio, Margone




limonite after Pyrite
Japan
Honshu Island, Chubu Region, Nagano Prefecture, Chisagata-gun, Takeshi




limonite after Pyrite
Pakistan
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Khyber Agency, Mulla Ghori, Zagi Mountain (Zegi Mountain)




limonite after Pyrite
Portugal
Évora District, Vila Viçosa




limonite after Pyrite
Portugal
Évora District, Vila Viçosa, Pardais, Miguel Vacas Mine




limonite after Pyrite
Portugal
Setúbal District, Sesimbra, Zambujal

limonite after Pyrite 6.5cm wide	© Rui Nunes 2007

limonite after Pyrite
Romania
Arad Co., Sebis (Borossebes)




limonite after Pyrite
South Africa
Northern Cape Province, Kalahari manganese fields, Hotazel, Hotazel mine




limonite after Pyrite
Spain
Andalusia, Málaga, Benalmádena




limonite after Pyrite
Spain
Andalusia, Málaga, Carratraca




limonite after Pyrite
Spain
Andalusia, Málaga, Carratraca, Plains of Arenalejos

limonite after Pyrite 7cm wide	©

limonite after Pyrite
Spain
Andalusia, Málaga, Ronda Massif




limonite after Pyrite
Spain
Castile and Leon, León, Puebla de Lillo, Respina Mine

limonite after Pyrite on Dolomite 6cm	© Martins da Pedra

limonite after Pyrite
Spain
Catalonia, Barcelona, Barcelonès, Barcelona, Montjuïc

limonite after Pyrite 2cm wide	© CCURTO09

limonite after Pyrite
[[b]b]Switzerland[/b][/b]
Wallis (Valais), Brig, Naters, Natischer Berg Mt. (Nessel Alp)




limonite after Pyrite & Albite
USA
California, San Diego Co., Pala District, Pala, Chief Mountain, Elizabeth R. Mine (Hazel W. claim)




limonite after Pyrite
USA
California, Siskiyou Co., Happy Camp




limonite after Pyrite
USA
Nevada, Elko Co., Silverzone Pass, Radar Hill




limonite after Pyrite
USA
North Carolina, Cabarrus Co., Concord




limonite after Pyrite
USA
North Carolina, Stanly Co., Aquadale

limonite after Pyrite 2.5cm	© Martins da Pedra

limonite after Pyrite
USA
Pennyslvania, Chester Co. East Whiteland Township, Valley Store, Mill Lane Farms (Great Valley Corporate Center)




limonite after Pyrite
USA
Pennsylvania, Lancaster Co., Manheim Township, Fruitville, Fruitville Pike Limonite occurrence

limonite after Pyrite 2.5cm	© Jay Vonderhey

limonite after Pyrite 3.29cm	© Jasun McAvoy

limonite after Pyrite
USA
Pennsylvania, York Co., Leader Heights (near Jacobus), Interstate 83 Roadcut




limonite after Pyrite
USA
Utah, Utah Co., Pelican Point Area

limonite after Pyrite 10.7cm wide	© Weinrich

limonite after Pyrite 6.2cm wide	© Steve Hardinger

.

limonite after Pyrite 7.5cm wide	© A&M

limonite after Pyrite 4.1cm wide	© Weinrich

limonite after Pyrite 6.2cm wide	© Steve Hardinger

Probably the best limonite pseudomorphs after pyrite are those from Pelican Point. They are rarely rivaled for their sharpness and their size is often remarkable.


limonite after Pyrite
USA
Virginia, Albemarle Co., State Highway 6 roadcut




limonite after Siderite
Argentina
Catamarca, Belen Department, Papachacra




limonite after Siderite
Austria
Salzburg, Hohe Tauern Mts, Rauris valley, Hüttwinkl valley, Grieswies - Krumlkeeskopf Mt. area, Grieswies-Schwarzkopf Mt. (Grieswies-Schwarzkogel Mt.)




limonite after Siderite
Austria
Tyrol, North Tyrol, Ziller valley




limonite after Siderite & Quartz
Austria
Tyrol, North Tyrol, Ziller valley, Zemmgrund, Mörchner area, Saurüssel




limonite after Siderite
Bolivia
Cochabamba Department, Ayopaya Province, Kami Mine




limonite after Siderite
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Jequitinhonha valley, Diamantina




limonite after Siderite
Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia, Sauerland, Arnsberg




limonite after Siderite
Morocco
Atlas Mts.




limonite after Siderite
Namibia
Khomas Region, Gamsberg




Lindbergite after ?
Italy
Liguria, Genova Province, Ne, Graveglia Valley, Molinello Mine




Litharge after Tetragonal Pb oxide hydrate?
UK
England, Derbyshire, Ashover, Milltown, Milltown Quarry

Litharge @Tetragonal Pb oxide? FOV 2mm?	© Steve Rust

Lizardite afer Olivine
Norway
Buskerud, Modum, Snarum




Lizardite after Forsterite
Norway
Buskerud, Modum, Snarum, Dypingdal Serpentine-magnesite deposit

Lizardite after Forsterite 7.5cm	© ØT

Luzonite after Enargite
Taiwan
Taiwan Province, Taipei Co., Jui-Fang Town, Chinkuahshih Mine

Luzonite @ Enargite 4.8cm wide	© Rob Lavinsky

Luzonite after Enargite 5.2cm wide	© Rob Lavinsky

Magnetite after Chrysotile
Canada
Estrie, Les Sources RCM, Asbestos, Jeffrey mine (Jeffrey quarry; Johns-Manville mine)




Magnetite after Pyrite
Mexico
Sonora, Demantoid Hill




Magnetite after Pyrite
USA
Arkansas, Hot Spring Co., Magnet Cove




Malachite after Atacamite
Australia
South Australia, Andamooka Ranges - Lake Torrens area, Stuart Shelf area, Mt Gunson, Mount Gunson Mine




Malachite after Azurite
Australia
South Australia, Flinders Ranges, North Flinders Ranges, Yudnamutana district, Sir Dominick Mine (Sir Dominic Mine; Sir Domonic Mine)

Malachite after Azurite 2.7cm wide	© John Sobolewski

Malachite after Azurite 3.0cm wide	© Danny Jones

Malachite after Azurite 1.6cm	© Danny Jones

Malachite after Azurite
Brazil
Bahia, Seabra

Malachite @ Azurite 8.5cm tall	© Weinrich

Malachite after Azurite 3.5cm	© Brhounds

Malachite after Azurite
Chile
Atacama Region, Chañaral Province, Inca de Oro, San Pedro de Cachiyuyo District, Manto Cuba Mine




Malachite after Azurite
Chile
Atacama Region, Copiapó Province, Cabeza de Vaca district, Remolinos mine




Malachite after Azurite
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Katanga (Shaba), Katanga Copper Crescent, Western area, Kolwezi




Malachite after Azurite
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Katanga (Shaba), Katanga Copper Crescent, Kolwezi, Mashamba West Mine




Malachite after Azurite
France
Rhône-Alpes, Rhône, Chessy-les-Mines

Malachite after Azurite 6.8cm wide	© Rob Lavinsky

Malachite after Azurite
Kazakhstan
Karagandy Province (Qaragandy Oblysy; Karaganda Oblast'), Dzhezkazgan (Zhezqazghan), Dzhezkazgan Mine (Zhezqazghan Mine)




Malachite after Azurite
Mexico
Sonora, Mun. de Cananea, Cuitaca, Milpillas Mine

Malachite after Azurite 4.8cm wide	© John Sobolewski

Malachite @ Azurite with Plancheite 5.3cm	© Rob Lavinsky

Malachite after Azurite 7.7cm wide	© A&M

.

Malachite @ Azurite w Plancheite 5.2cm wide	© Fabre

Malachite @ Azurite w Quartz 5.5cm	© fabre

These specimens are relatively new on the market and the mine has produced many fine examples of Malachite pseudomorphs after Azurite though those produced so far do not rival the best from Bisbee, Arizona or Tsumeb, Namibia.


Malachite after Azurite
Mexico
Zacatecas, Mun. de Concepción del Oro




Malachite after Azurite
Mexio
Zacatecas, Mun. de Concepción del Oro, Aranzazú




Malachite after Azurite on Calcite
Mexico
Zacatecas, Mun. de Concepción del Oro, El Cobre, Cobre Mine

Malachite @ Azurite on Calcite 9.5cm	© Rob Lavinsky

Malachite after Azurite & Azurite
Morocco
Meknès-Tafilalet Region, Khénifra Province, Kerrouchene

Malachite after Azurite & Azurite 6cm tall	© Fabre

Malachite after Azurite & Azurite 4.2cm wide	© Fabre

Malachite after Azurite
Morocco
Meknès-Tafilalet Region, Khénifra Province, Tadamout




Malachite after Azurite
Morocco
Oriental Region, Oujda-Angad Province, Touissit District




Malachite after Azurite
Morocco
Oriental Region, Oujda-Angad Province, Touissit District, Touissit

Malachite after Azurite 6.3cm wide	© Rob Lavinsky

Malachite @ Azurite 3.9cm tall	© fabreminerals.com

Malachite after Azurite
Namibia
Khomas Region, Windhoek District, Seeis, Ogonja (Onganja)

Malachite @ Azurite 2.8cm	© Rob Lavinsky

Malachite after Azurite
Namibia
Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Tsumeb




Malachite after Azurite
Namibia
Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Tsumeb, Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine)

Malachite after Azurite ~11cm	©

Malachite after Azurite 12.5cm tall	© Dan Weinrich

Malachite after Azurite 3.5cm tall	© 2002 John H. Betts

Malachite after Azurite 4.8cm wide	© Lavinsky

Malachite after Azurite 7.5cm	© Weinrich

As you can probably deduce from the many fine examples of Malachite after Azurite above, that Tsumeb is probably considered as having produced the best specimens of this type of pseudomorph, though Bisbee loyalists can also point to some amazing examples from Bisbee, Arizona.


Malachite after Azurite? coated by Rosasite
USA
Arizona, Cochise Co., Dragoon Mts, Turquoise District (Courtland-Gleeson District), Gleeson, Costello Mine group (Costello claims), Silver Bill Mine

Malachite @ Azurite? & Rosasite 5.3cm	© Michael Cline

Malachite after Azurite
USA
Arizona, Cochise Co., Mule Mts, Warren District, Bisbee

Malachite after Azurite 6.3cm wide	© Rob Lavinsky

Malachite after Azurite
USA
Arizona, Cochise Co., Mule Mts, Warren District, Bisbee, Campbell Mine (Campbell shaft)

Malachite after Azurite ~15cm wide	© J.Ralph

Malachite @ Azurite 5.9cm	© Lavinsky

The fine Malachite pseudomorphs after Azurite from Bisbee are considered to be great classics and every collector would put one in his collection if they could afford it. There are not many great ones.


Malachite after Azurite
USA
Arizona, Cochise Co., Mule Mts, Warren District, Bisbee, Queen Hill, Copper Queen Mine (Halero Mine)




Malachite after Azurite
USA
Arizona, Gila Co., Globe-Miami District, Miami-Inspiration District, Miami, Oxhide Mine (Lower Ox Hide Mine; Upper Ox Hide Mine; Schultze Mine; Schultze group)




Malachite after Azurite
USA
Arizona, Pima Co., Ajo District, Little Ajo Mts, Ajo, New Cornelia Mine (Ajo Mine)

Malachite after Azurite 3.3cm tall	© Weinrich

Malachite after Azurite ~7cm wide	©

Malachite after Azurite
USA
Arizona, Pinal Co., Mammoth District, Tiger, St. Anthony deposit, Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine (Mammoth-St Anthony Mine; Mammoth Mine; St. Anthony Mine)



Tiger produced some quantity of Malachite pseudomorphs after Azurite, but the fine ones are few and far between.


Malachite after Barite
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Katanga (Shaba), Katanga Copper Crescent, Central area, Kambove, Shangulowé Mine




Malachite after Barite
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Katanga (Shaba), Katanga Copper Crescent, Western area, Kolwezi, Mashamba West Mine

Malachite after Barite 4cm wide	© John Sobolewski

Malachite after Copper
Namibia
Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Tsumeb

back side of left	© Rob Lavinsky

Malachite after Cuprite on Azurite
France
Rhône-Alpes, Rhône, Chessy-les-Mines

Malachite after Cuprite on Azurite ~2cm wide	©

Malachite after Cuprite on Azurite ~6cm wide	©

Malachite after Cuprite 2.1cm	© Rob Lavinsky

These were mostly produced during the 1800s when the mines at Chessy were most active. Thousands of them were produced and though they are not nob abundant, every collector that wants one can get one. They are classics.


Malachite after Cuprite
Greece
Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture, Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District, Lavrion District Mines, Sounion Area, Agia Varvara Mines (St Barbara Mines), Sounion Mine No. 06 ("Exi" Mine)




Malachite after Cuprite
Hungary
Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co., Rudabányai Mts., Rudabánya, Andrássy I. Mine




Malachite after Cuprite
Namibia
Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Tsumeb, Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine)



Only a hand full of these specimens were produced. Originally they were cuprite and have been mostly altered to malachite. If you look at the bottom of these specimens you can still see traces of cuprite. Then tiny quartz crystals covered the Malachite and in the sun light they sparkle like mad. The best one, to my knowledge is located in the Smithsonian institute.
[Rock Currier 2011]


Malachite after Galena
UK
Wales, Powys (Radnorshire), Rhayader, Nant-y-Car Mine




Malachite after Gypsum
USA
Arizona, Pinal Co., Dripping Spring Mts, Mineral Creek District (Ray District), Scott Mountain area, Ray Mine




Malachite after Gypsum
USA
Utah, Juab Co., East Tintic Mts, Tintic District, Mammoth Mine (Mammoth shaft)




Malachite after Gypsum
USA
Utah, Washington Co., Beaver Dam Mts, St. George Apex Mine



At one point about 50 years ago when the Apex mine was operating some quantity of these specimens were produced, probably sever hundred. Today they are hardly ever seen, but some specimens of intergrown "sticks" more than 20 cm were collected and sold to collectors. One even appeared on the cover of Rocks and Minerals magazine.
[Rock Currier 2011]


Malachite after Linarite
USA
New Mexico, Socorro Co., Hansonburg District, Bingham, Blanchard Mine (Portalas-Blanchard Mine), Sunshine no. 4 Adit




Malachite after Tetrahedrite
Spain
Asturias, Parres, S. Cosme de Llerandi, El Coriellu mine (Llerandi mine)




Manganite after Pyrolusite & Barite
Germany
Thuringia, Harz Mts, Nordhausen, Ilfeld




Marcasite after Pyrrhotite & Fluorite
France
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Var, Tanneron, Fontsante Mine




Marcasite after Pyrrhotite & Quartz
Germany
Lower Saxony, Harz Mts, St Andreasberg District, St Andreasberg




Marcasite after Pyrrhotite
Romania
Maramures Co., Baia Mare (Nagybánya), Chiuzbaia (Kisbánya), Herja Mine




Marcasite after Pyrrhotite
Russia
Far-Eastern Region, Primorskiy Kray, Dal'negorsk (Dalnegorsk; Tetyukhe; Tjetjuche; Tetjuche)




Marshite after Cuprite
Russia
Western-Siberian Region, Altaiskii Krai, Rudnyi Altai, Rubtsovskoe Cu-Zn-Pb deposit




Meta-Autinite after Autunite
France
Burgundy, Saône-et-Loire, Montcenis, Saint-Symphorien-de-Marmagne




Metavivianite after Vivianite
Ukraine
Crimea Oblast', Crimea peninsula, Kerch peninsula (Kertch peninsula), Kerchenskyi (Fe)-ore basin, Kerchenskoe deposit

Metavivianite @ Vivianite 6cm	© Pavel M. Kartashov

Meyerhofferite after Inyoite
Argentina
Salta, Sijes, Monte Azul deposit

Meyerhofferite @ Inyoite 9.5cm wide	© Rob Lavinsky

Here are pictures crystals of Inyoite altering to little prismatic crystals of Meyerhofferite. In some cases the alteration is further along than others. These specimens are stable, at least in terms of not altering further in our lifetimes. These specimens were found recently, in the last ten years and their estimated stability is based on observations made on similar pseudomorphs found in Death Valley California that have been stable over the last 40 years. Certainly the Inyoite specimens from this locality are by far the finest in the world.


Meyerhofferite after Inyoite
USA
California, Inyo Co., Death Valley National Park, Furnace Creek District (Furnace Creek Borate District), Black Mts, Mount Blanco, Mount Blanco Mine (Mount Blanco deposit; Mount Blanco adit)

Meyerhofferite after Inyoite ~6cm wide	©

Meyerhofferite after Inyoite !12cm wide	©

There is/was a tiny little mine/prospect in the Mt Blanco area just of 20 mule team canyon that produced the best examples of these pseudomorphs. The tunnel only went in 50 feet or so, but in one of the little drifts off the main tunnel, a small area produces at least two outstanding pockets of these specimens. Some few hundred specimens of this material were produced. Some of the specimens still showed vestiges or the original Inyoite. The material from the bottom of the pocket tended to be coated with little micro prismatic crystals of Meyerhofferite which made them more sparkling than those from the top which tended to be be chalky white, but sharper than the crystals from the bottom of the pocket. More than 40 years out of the ground in the polluted air of Los Angles, indicates that these specimens are stable and show no signs of falling apart.
[Rock Currier 2011]


Miargyrite after Pyargyrite on Quartz
Peru
Lima Department, Oyon Province, Uchucchacua Mine




Mica after Beryl
Mozambique
Zambezia Province, Alto Ligonha District, Piteia Pegmatite

Mica after Beryl 6cm tall	© Martins da Pedra

Mica after Cordierite
Japan
Honshu Island, Kinki Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Kameoka City

Mica group after Cordierite ~5mm each	©

1.8cm Mica group after Cordierite	©

6mm Mica group after Cordierite	© 2008, JGW

Mica after Orthoclase
Bolivia
Potosí Department, Rafael Bustillo Province (Bustillos Province), Llallagua




Mica after Tourmaline
USA
California, San Diego Co., Pala District, Pala, Chief Mountain, Elizabeth R. Mine (Hazel W. claim)




Mimetite after Cerussite
USA
California, Inyo Co., Death Valley National Park, Panamint Mts (Panamint Range)




Mimetite after Cerussite
Namibia
Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Tsumeb, Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine)




Mimetite & Goethite after Gypsum
Mexico
Chihuahua, Mun. de Aquiles Serdán, Santa Eulalia District




Mimetite after Wulfenite
Mexico
Sonora, Mun. de Bacanora, La Trinidad, San Francisco Mine




Minimum after Cerussite
Australia
New South Wales, Yancowinna Co., Broken Hill

Minimum after Cerussite close up	© Jasun McAvoy

Mitridatite after Strengite
Sweden
Lappland, Kiruna district, Svappavaara, Leveäniemi Mine




Monazite-(Ce) after ?
Canada
Québec, Montérégie, Rouville RCM, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry)




Monazite-(Ce) after a hexagonal mineral
Germany
Saxony, Oberlausitz, Kamenz, Oßling Quarry




Monazite & Rhabdophane after Vitusite-(Ce) spray on matrix
Greenland
Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Narsaq, Ilimaussaq complex




Montmorillonite after Natrolite
USA
Rhode Island, Kent Co., West Warwick, Natick, Prospect Hill




Montmorillonite after Spodumene
California
San Diego Co., Pala District, Pala, Hiriart Mountain (Hariat Mtn; Harriot Mtn; Heriart Mtn; Heriot Mtn; Hiriat Hill), White Queen Mine (Queen mine; White Queen prospect)




Montmorillonite after wood
Germany
Hesse, Vogelsberg, Herbstein, Schrimpf basalt works

SEM photo of left	© Wolfgang Hampel

Mottramite after Calcite
Namibia
Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Tsumeb




Mottramite after Copper
Namibia
Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Tsumeb




Mottramite after Wulfenite
USA
New Mexico, Doña Ana Co., Organ District, Stevenson-Bennett Mine (Stephenson-Bennett Mine)




Muscovite after Corundum
France
Aquitaine, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Aramits, Col d'Urdach




Muscovite after Cordierite
France
Auvergne, Puy-de-Dôme




Muscovite after plagioclase
Canada
Yukon Territory, Whitehorse Mining District

Close up of left	© Weinrich

Muscovite after Topaz
USA
Montana, Jefferson Co., Boulder Batholith




Muscovite after Topaz
Brazil
Minas Gerais, Doce valley, Conselheiro Pena, Ferruginha, Sapo mine




Muscovite after Tourmaline
USA
Arizona, Pinal Co., Santa Catalina Mts, Oracle District (Control District; Old Hat District; Santa Catalina District), Oracle, Willow Spring Ranch (Willow Springs Ranch)

Muscovite @ tourmaline 1.9cm	© 2001 John H. Betts

Muscovite after Tourmaline
USA
Connecticut, Middlesex Co., East Hampton, Nathan Hall Quarry (Clark Hill quarries)




Muscovite after Tourmaline
Maine
Androscoggin Co., Auburn, East Mount Apatite District, Maine Feldspar Quarry




Muscovite after Tourmaline
USA
Maine, Androscoggin Co., Auburn, Mt. Apatite District, Greenlaw Quarry




Muscovite after Tourmaline
USA
Maine, Oxford Co., Greenwood, Noyes Mountain Quarry (Harvard Quarry)




Muscovite after Tourmaline
USA
New Hampshire, Grafton Co., Rumney, Atwood Mine (Burley Mine; General Electric Mine; Pasture Mine; West Rumney Mine)




Muscovite after Illite?
USA
New York, Jefferson Co., Wilna Township, Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge gieseckite locality

Muscovite after Illite? close up	© Ron Gyllenhammer

Mushistonite after Kesterite
China
Sichuan Province, Mianyang Prefecture, Pingwu Co., Mt Xuebaoding, Huya village, Huya (Xuebaoding) W-Sn-Be deposit






Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements A & B. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements C. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements D to I. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements N to P. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements Quartz. Click here to view Pseudomorphs & Replacements R to Z. Click here to view Best Minerals P, click here to view and here for Best Minerals A to Z and here for Fast Navigation of completed Best Minerals articles.


Images last selected December 2010 sorting on "after".

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.



Edited 73 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2013 06:35AM by Rock Currier.

Another one for you: proustite after silver:

[www.mindat.org]

Peter, Interesting specimen. I think we can use it. I wonder if it may have been Acanthite after silver first before being changed to Proustite. What do you think. I don't think I have ever encountered so many question marks, probablies and supposedlies before getting involved in these pseudomorphs.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Rock,

What about the Muscovite after Apatite from Conselheiro Pena, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. I know many were brought up. You have several in your collection.

Bill

Bill,
Yes, I know those should be in there but I don't have a photograph of any in my collection and I will eventually be forced to take pictures of them and upload them to mindat. But this is true of several hundred specimens in my collection. While I was taking pictures I concentrated on specimens I didn't have in my collection. After all, if you have the real thing in your collection, why in the world would you want to waste your time taking pictures of them when you could always just go out and look at the real thing? Sometimes I needed pictures for articles I was writing or programs I was asked to give to gem and mineral societies, so I did take a few pictures of things in my collection.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Hi Rock,

I just posted a photo of a pseudo of Muscovite var. (Damourite) after Tourmaline (Photo ID 355915) you can use if you wish. Not sure if it would
go under "M" or "D" in your write-up. These pseudos are found at other locations in Maine and California I have been told,but haven't seen
specimens or photos as yet.Thanks.


Cliff



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2011 12:12AM by Clifford Trebilcock.

Clifford,
Yes, thank you, thats an interesting piece and worth putting in the article. I have done so.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Rock,

Per comments in "A to C", I'm posting a set of specimens that hit localities and/or replacements not well represented in the articles at present, rather than saying these are all The Best. Thank you for your efforts!


Kaolinite after leucite
Poços de Caldas, Poços de Caldas plateau, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Pseudo / loc is already represented, but this is a pretty good example.

Lazulite after orthoclase
Cerro de Potosí (Cerro Rico), Potosí City, Potosí Department, Bolivia

Leonite after picromerite
Neuhof-Ellers Potash Works, Neuhof, Fulda, Hesse, Germany

Lepidolite after elbaite
Jacare Mine, Itinga, Jequitinhonha valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
The Jacare Mine isn’t in MinDat yet but I don’t know anything beyond the name. There are other examples of this on the locality listing as well.

Muscovite after plagioclase
Whitehorse Mining District, Yukon Territory, Canada
There are other examples of this pseudo on the locality listing as well; the other photos are more professional.

Opal after [chabazite?]
Fish Lake Valley, Mineral Co., Nevada

Orthoclase after leucite
Kamam-Kalehövük, Kırşehir Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey
There is another example of this pseudomorph in the gallery for this locality, but this is really nice representation.

“Pinite” after cordierite
Manzat, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne, France

plancheite after calcite and dioptase, Tantara, RDC, miniature

mottramite after wulfenite, Tsumeb, miniature
Valère Berlage Collection

Valere,
Thats a nice specimen. Could you supply an in focus picture of the entire specimen and upload it to Mindat? If so, Ill put it in the article.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

I Rock, I will try to do some better shots this evening, luckyly the speciment is at home!!
All the best
Valère

Hello again Rock,
I have also a pretty good pseudomorph of quartz after wulfenite, I have no good picture, but a good shot of the speciment I purchased is still available on Rob Lavinsky website: TCQ15 - Quartz ps. after Wulfenite
Tsumeb, Namibia
small cabinet, 7.3 x 6.6 x 3.6 cm, it is a very original speciment I think
You will easyly find it in his database, may be could you use this shot with his agreement?
Valère

Valere Berlage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello again Rock,
> I have also a pretty good pseudomorph of quartz
> after wulfenite, I have no good picture, but a
> good shot of the speciment I purchased is still
> available on Rob Lavinsky website: TCQ15 - Quartz
> ps. after Wulfenite
> Tsumeb, Namibia
> small cabinet, 7.3 x 6.6 x 3.6 cm, it is a very
> original speciment I think


Valere

That's really a beautiful sample -- very nice, and puts to shame the various things I've been throwing at the wall. Even easier, though, as Rob has previously posted it to MinDat and I've linked it here: Quartz after wulfenite.

Probably should be in the "Best Pseudomorphs: Quartz" thread, though.

Cheers,
D.

Valere,
Yes that is a fine specimen and it will find a home in the article.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Hello again, here is a better picture of the Tsumeb pseudomorph miniature, difficult to focus though, impossible to focus on the whole piece and have a nice view of the two best crystals in the same picture, at least with my basic photographic skills.
I got it from Willy Israel as mottramite after wulfenite, however there has been a discussion on FB about that sample because of the hexagonal shape of the two crystals, which could make think about mottramite after chalchocite. However M Sussman has had hexagonal wulfenite from Tsumeb, and the calcites crystals has the typical basic shape of secondary tsumeb calcite. However, 100 % certitude is difficult to obtain!
I have one other nice Tsumeb pseudomorph, second and third pictures, cabinet, hollow hexagonal crystals up to about 2 cm, However I do not propose it as long as the composition is not known for sure (could be motramite, descloizite or many other), after what???
All the best
Valère

Valere,
For inclusion in best minerals you will need to learn how to take better photographs. For the Mottramite after Wulfenite I think you will need to take the specimen out of the Perky box to photograph it properly. You should easily be able to pry/lift the Styrofoam base it is attached to out of the box with little effort. Slip a knife blade in along the edge of the foam and gently pry it out with the specimen attached. Put it on some sort of white or light gray back ground and you should then be able to easily shoot it from any angle. If you can set you camera for tungsten lighting, you can use tungsten light, but if not you will need to take the picture in diffuse sun light. Use a tripod or some other device to steady your camera and make sure that the f stop is at least f16 or f22 or smaller if you can manage it. This will insure that you will get maximum depth of field. If your camera can't focus up close to the specimen, you should take the picture as close to the specimen as possible and still make sure that the specimen is in focus. How many mega pixels can your camera do for an image. Even if the specimen can't fill the screen, the image can be cropped and still show good resolution provided you are using any sort of decent camera.
Rock

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Hi Rock,

I will work on this next Week End to submit you new pics, As camera, I have a canon Ixus 750.
To remove the speciment from its box, and take the pics from a bigger distance, on a tripod might help!
All the best
Val

Hi Rock,

Happy to contact you again.
I have a new recrute for the article.


Enjoy.

Take care and best regards.

Paul.

Paul,
Before an image is included in the best minerals articles, it must be uploaded to the Mindat Image gallery. The image you have included above is only an attachment to a thread post. When you upload it to our image gallery you will need to say what the mineral is: Malachite after ??, how large it is and choose the flavor of copyright protection you would like. Get back to me if you need instructions on how to do this.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.