Dave Griffiths' Photo Gallery
1HC-1M2Schorl NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) , Orthoclase K(AlSi3O8) , Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Field of View: 35 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 25 mm
A large and surprisingly gemmy schorl tourmaline (more reflective in person than in the photo) in an otherwise well weathered piece of granite. Degraded muscovite is visible on the right edge of the photo.
Flooded quarry workings
Flooded quarry workings hidden in a densely wooded area.
KYY-QF1Albite Na(AlSi3O8) , Tourmaline AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Field of View: 3 mm
Glazed white tabular crystals of albite with tourmaline. The tourmaline comes in both large (up to 1cm) opaque schorl, and finer transparent grey, brown and red varieties. Part of a pegmatite found in a recently ploughed field reclaimed from the original Higher Spargo quarry workings.
2T2-KTACassiterite SnO2 , Arsenopyrite FeAsS , Chlorite Group
Field of View: 2 mm
A lustrous brown crystal with reflections highlighting the form, nestled in green and brown blades of chlorite.
LEJ-MXPChalcopyrite (Var: Blister Copper) CuFeS2 , Quartz (Var: Chalcedony) SiO2 , Bornite Cu5FeS4
Field of View: 35 mm
A mass of botryoidal chalcopyrite, which appears to form a layer sandwiched between copper secondary minerals such as powdery bornite 'underneath' (seen on mostly on the reverse image) and orange chalcedony on top. Originally part of the same rock sample as specimen D42-ECD.
0W4-9L0Arsenopyrite FeAsS , Quartz SiO2
Field of View: 8 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 5.5 mm
A well weathered acicular crystal of arsenopyrite, broken at one end and coated with a secondary mineral layer which has been partially chipped away. On the right the fractured surface of a more typical diamond form of arsenopyrite can be seen. Found on the surface of a solid mass of quartz, while exploring the more overgrown areas of the mine dumps.
D42-ECDChalcopyrite (Var: Blister Copper) CuFeS2 , Bornite Cu5FeS4
Field of View: 8 mm
A freshly exposed vug of botryoidal chalcopyrite coated with iridescent bornite. The matrix is comprised of massive yellow chalcopyrite, deep blue massive bornite with small euhedral quartz crystals.
N1D-NTDChamosite (Var: Daphnite) (Fe,Mg)5Al(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 , Quartz SiO2
Field of View: 15 mm
Curved hexagonal stacks within a quartz vug. These were hidden within (and presumably somewhat protected by) a thick layer of fine clay, some remnants of which are still visible. Ultrasonic cleaning revealed them, but also unfortunately eroded the exposed fractured surfaces elsewhere on the sample.
Chlorite group minerals seem abundant at this site, and seem to have a courser crystallisation than seen at nearby localities.
WHC-EYMArsenopyrite FeAsS , Pyrite FeS2 , Chalcopyrite CuFeS2
Field of View: 45 mm
A mass of unusually sharp and uniform tabular crystals, displaying interesting twinning and radiating formations. One of three similar specimens which also contain more typically formed arsenopyrite and pyrite. Identity subject to debate (see https://www.mindat.org/mesg-649998.html) & still open to input on this, but the prismatic habits seem close to the arsenopyrite specimens found at this location https://www.mindat.org/loc-5783.html
Chalcopyrite is present in the specimen in massive form, as well as a thin coating on the sharp crystals which can be easily chipped away revealing silver underneath.
Image created by stitching together 30 focus stacked subimages using Hugin, align_image_stack and enfuse.
80A-V2TScorodite Fe3+AsO4·2H2O
Field of View: 11 mm
The best example from a collection of small bright green rock fragments surface collected from Carharrack mine. No reaction from fragments in oxalic acid & brown layers and colouration indicates scorodite.
