Alain Hanson's Photo Gallery

UYH-MVHPollucite (Cs,Na)₂(Al₂Si₄O₁₂)·2H₂O , Schorl NaFe²⁺₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)

Tompoambohitra, Sahatany Valley, Ibity, Antsirabe II District, Vakinankaratra, Madagascar

Frosty Pollucite crystals on schorl (Sample 4 x 3 cm)

2XU-9PKPetalite LiAl(Si₄O₁₀) , Albite Na(AlSi₃O₈) , Lepidolite

Chedeville quarry, Ambazac, Limoges, Haute-Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

These Petalite blocky crystals were described by Raimbault (1998). Surprising new find of the summer 2011, this sample is from the lower underground levels of the Chedeville quarry. (Picture is 7 x 5 cm). The grey petalite is quite fresh in white albite with a partial rim of lepidolite. In these samples coatings of cacoxenite and other secondary phosphates have also been found and are under investigation.

See also http://www.geoforum.fr/topic/3740-mineraux-des-pegmatites-francaises/page__st__700 on the subject

VN2-19CBeryl (Var: Emerald) Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈) , Schorl NaFe²⁺₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)

Doko, Basha Valley, Shigar District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Beryl var. Emerald (crystal is 0,4 x 0,7 cm). A combination of a single bright green quite gemmy emerald crystal with radiating schorl in a quartz feldspar matrix.

Collected in 2011.

9KU-F1FVarlamoffite (Sn,Fe)(O,OH)₂ , Muscovite KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

Kalima, Maniema, DR Congo

Field of View: 50 mm

Sample of yellow coatings of varlamoffite with muscovite in quartz-greisen from Type Locality : Kalima, Pangi, Maniema, D.R. Congo.

K7R-RQ7Cassiterite SnO₂ , Varlamoffite (Sn,Fe)(O,OH)₂ , Quartz SiO₂ , Topaz Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂ , Muscovite KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

Kalima, Maniema, DR Congo

Field of View: 40 mm

Cassiterite in quartz vein from greisen, with yellow coatings of varlamoffite from Type Locality : Kalima, Pangi, Maniema, D.R. Congo.

TEU-9D1Pyrophyllite Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂

Recht, Sankt-Vith, Liège, Wallonia, Belgium

Dimensions: 330 mm x 220 mm

This very large pyrophyllite sample was collected in the Margraff underground quarry (lower level).

X0L-N6PBazzite Be₃Sc₂(Si₆O₁₈)

Kersy Forest, Bonneval-Tarentaise, La Léchère, Albertville, Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Electric blue bazzite complex crystals (biggest is 5 mm) on quartz and adularia from this newly published locality (find 2011)(Picture is 2 x 2.6 cm).

6MK-0X2Pyrargyrite Ag₃SbS₃

Mizpah Mine, Tonopah, Tonopah Mining District, San Antonio Mountains, Nye County, Nevada, USA

Old specimen from Mizpah shaft showing a pyrargyrite complex crystal (7 mm long) on altered galena

View of the quarry from the West

La Flèche quarry, Bertrix, Luxembourg, Wallonia, Belgium

The quarry as seen from the West of level-2(stand 2011/10/11). Photo illustrates workings on level-3, the beginning of the new level-4 and strata of Lochkovian quartzites and schists affected by Hercynian metamorphism of low P - medium T conditions.

View of the quarry from the East

La Flèche quarry, Bertrix, Luxembourg, Wallonia, Belgium

The quarry as seen from the East of level-1 and showing works on level-3 with new level 4 in the background (stand 2011/10/11). Photo illustrates the numerous fractures cross-cutting Lochkovian rocks affected by Hercynian metamorphism of low P - medium T conditions. Occurrence of zeolites, with prehnite and pumpellyite in these fractures is explained by a smooth retrograde cooling path ...(Hatert and Theye, 2005)