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Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA

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Granite pegmatite. Grafton field. Located on Isinglass Mountain. First commercial mica quarry in U.S. (1803). Mined for feldspar beginning in 1912, and later for beryl as well. Collecting possible after paying fee ($20 per adult in 2006).

The earliest discovery of the famous gummite specimens from this locality was announced by Benjamin Shaub in 1936: "Recent work in mining for feldspar at the Ruggles' pegmatite has exposed numerous uranium-bearing ... minerals." The very first specimens were apparently collected by Ray and Alvin Schortmann who lived not far from Ben Shaub in Northampton, MA (B. Shaub, pers. comm., 1989). The abundance of gummite was one of the factors which influenced the Schortmann brothers to start a mineral business, beginning about 1938, that lasted for about 25 years.



References:
Sterrett, D. (1914). Some deposits of Mica in the United States (USGS Bulletin 580-F), pp. 80-81.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 876, 914, 986.

Morrill, P. (1960), New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.

Gregory, G. (1971), The Ruggles Feldspar - Mica Mine, Grafton, New Hampshire (Rocks & Minerals 46:12-15)

Korzeb, Stanley L.; Foord, Eugene E. and Lichte, Frederick E. (1997):The chemical evolution and paragenesis of uranium minerals from the Ruggles and Palermo granitic pegmatites, New Hampshire (Canadian Mineralogist 35:135-144).





Mineral List:
  		•  Albite
    Na[AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Albite
    var: Cleavelandite
    Reference: []
  		•  Almandine
    Fe
    2+
    3
    		Al
     
    2
    		[SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    Reference: [No reference listed]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © AK 2008
  		•  Anglesite ?
    PbSO
     
    4
    Description: Incorrect reference.
    Reference: [Seaman, David (1976) Pegmatite Minerals of the World]
  		•  Apatite-(CaF)
    Ca
     
    5
    		[F|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © 2008 Peter Cristofono
  		•  Autunite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·11H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 914, 986; Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © Charles Creekmur
  		•  Becquerelite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    6
    		O
     
    4
    		(OH)
     
    6
    		 · 8H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: No data or specimens known.
    Reference: [No published reference. Probably whimsical.]
  		•  Bertrandite
    Be
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    		]
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Beryl
    Be
     
    3
    		Al
     
    2
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © AK2009
  		•  Beryl
    var: Aquamarine
    Be
     
    3
    		Al
     
    2
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Beryl
    var: Heliodor
    Reference: []
  		•  β-Uranophane
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Clifford Frondel (1956) Mineral Composition of Gummite, American Mineralogist 41:539-568.]
  		•  Biotite
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © Van King
  		•  Bornite ?
    Cu
     
    5
    		FeS
     
    4
    Reference: []
  		•  Calcite
    CaCO
     
    3
    Reference: []
  		•  Chrysoberyl
    BeAl
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    Reference: [ Meyers & Stewart, 1956. Geology of NH , Part III., p.19.]
  		•  Clarkeite
    (Na,Ca,Pb)
     
    2
    		U
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    Description: Frondel (1956) noted: "Clarkeite has been said to occur in reddish-brown gummite at the Ruggles pegmatite, Grafton Center, New Hampshire, but it was not observed in specimens from this locality examined in the present study." As gummite and other minerals were frequently reported from this and other localities without data, frequently as wishful thinking, the clarkeite folklore is unbelievable given the thoroughness of Frondel's uranium mineral research.
    Reference: [Discredited by Clifford Frondel (1956) Mineral Composition of Gummite, American Mineralogist 41:539-568.]
  		•  Coconinoite
    Fe
    3+
    2
    		Al
     
    2
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|SO
     
    4
    		|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		] · 20H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: There is a large degree of uncertainty about the locality in NH for this species. Only PRIMARY reference is Young, E., Weeks, A., and Meyrowitz,R., 1966, Coconinoite, A New Uranium Mineral from Utah and Arizona, Am Min v 51:651-663 which states of the species: "... two from unknown localities, one from Wyoming, and one from New Hampshire, which is certainly in a different geologic environment..." The specimen is not elsewhere mentioned or described. There has been a strong folklore belief that the coconinoite mentioned was from the Ruggles Pegmatite because so many uranium minerals were found there and, at one time, were abundant. No subsequent discoveries of New Hampshire coconinoite have been made and the original reference specimen is lost.
    Reference: [Young, E., Weeks, A., and Meyrowitz,R., 1966, Coconinoite, A New Uranium Mineral from Utah and Arizona, Am Min v 51:651-663]
  		•  Columbite-(Fe)
    FeNb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Cryolite
    Na
     
    3
    		[AlF
     
    6
    		]
    Description: misprint for cyrtolite
    Reference: []
  		•  Curite
    Pb
     
    3+x
    		(H
     
    2
    		O)
     
    2
    		[(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		O
     
    4+x
    		(OH)
     
    3-x
    		]
     
    2
    Description: Incorrect reference. Orange gummite was of particular interest to Frondel (personal communication, 1991) as it contained Mineral A. There was only one worldwide pegmatite (North Carolina) where he did find curite in gummite. Clifford Frondel (1956) Mineral Composition of Gummite, American Mineralogist 41:539-568.
    Reference: [Seaman, David (1976) Pegmatite Minerals of the World]
  		•  'Cymatolite'
    Reference: [Morrill, P. , 1960, New Hampshite Mines and Minerals Localities.]
  		•  Fourmarierite ?
    PbU
     
    4
    		O
     
    13
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: "Fourmarierite was doubtfully identified as a minor constituent of gummite from a number of localities, including ... Palermo and Ruggles pegmatites..."
    Reference: [Frondel, C., 1956, Mineral Composition of Gummite, Am Min v 41: 539-568.]
  		•  Galena ?
    PbS
    Description: Incorrect reference.
    Reference: [Seaman, David (1976) Pegmatite Minerals of the World]
  		•  Graftonite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mn
    2+
     
    		,Ca)
     
    3
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  'Gummite'
    Reference: [No reference listed]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © 2008 Peter Cristofono
  		•  Haiweeite ?
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[Si
     
    5
    		O
     
    12
    		(OH)
     
    2
    		]·4.5H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: needs verification data
    Reference: []
  		•  Kasolite
    Pb(UO
     
    2
    		)[SiO
     
    4
    		] · H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: "At the Ruggles pegmatite, kasolite occurs both as a thin outer crust about the orange gummite pseudomorphs for which the locality is noted and as complete pseudomorphs of a rather pourous consistency."
    Reference: [Clifford Frondel (1956) Mineral Composition of Gummite, American Mineralogist 41:539-568.]
  		•  Lepidolite
    Description: Morrill (1960) reported "lemon yellow" lepidolite. All specimens submitted for testing are ordinary muscovite.
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Lithiophilite
    LiMn
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Marcasite ?
    FeS
     
    2
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Meta-autunite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		· 6-8H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Metatorbernite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 8H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Molybdenite
    MoS
     
    2
    Description: Listed as a "general" mineral for the town of Grafton, only. No specific locality.
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Montmorillonite
    (Na,Ca)
     
    0.33
    		(Al,Mg)
     
    2
    		Si
     
    4
    		O
     
    10
    		(OH)
     
    2
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Muscovite
    KAl
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    10
    		]
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © Rockpick Legend Co.
  		•  Orthoclase
    K[AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Description: Sample description indicates it was a perthite plus muscovite and therefore not an orthoclase.
    Reference: [http://speclab.cr.usgs.gov/spectral.lib04/DESCRIPT/orthoclase.HS13.html.]
  		•  Parsonsite
    Pb
     
    2
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: Discovered about 1949 by the late Philip Foster, noted mineral collector of Dover, New Hampshire. Confirmed by Clifford Frondel by XRD.
    Reference: [Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 914.]
  		•  Phosphuranylite
    (H
     
    3
    		O)
     
    3
    		KCa(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    7
    		[O|PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    4
    		 · 8H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Clifford Frondel (1956) Mineral Composition of Gummite, American Mineralogist 41:539-568; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 876, 914.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © 2002 John H. Betts
  		•  'Psilomelane'
    Description: undetermined black stains on rock, sometimes dendritic. Listed by Morrill (1960) for no specific locality in Grafton and subsequently inappropriately claimed for this locality.
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Purpurite
    (Mn
    3+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
    Description: Listed by Morrill (1960) for no specific locality in Grafton and subsequently inappropriately claimed for this locality.
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Pyrite
    FeS
     
    2
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Pyrrhotite
    Fe
     
    7
    		S
     
    8
    		, (-4M), also given as Fe
     
    1-x
    		S (x = 0 - 0.2)
    Description: Not a rare mineral from granite pegmatite. Listed by Morrill (1960) for no specific locality in Grafton and subsequently inappropriately claimed for this locality.
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © Van King
  		•  Quartz
    SiO
     
    2
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Quartz
    var: Amethyst
    SiO
     
    2
    Description: No specimens known. Probably a mis-identified rose quartz.
    Reference: []
  		•  Quartz
    var: Rose Quartz
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Quartz
    var: Smoky Quartz
    SiO
     
    2
    Reference: [Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Reddingite
    (Mn,Fe)
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·3H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Morrill, P, 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Safflorite
    (Co,Fe,Ni)As
     
    2
    Description: Unbelievable cobalt mineral for this locality. Listed by Morrill (1960) for no specific locality in Grafton and incorrectly claimed for this locality. This is a mineral not found in granite pegmatite anywhere in the world.
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Schoepite
    (UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    8
    		O
     
    2
    		(OH)
     
    12
    		 · 12H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: Mineral A of Frondel (1956). "Mineral A is particularly abundant at the Ruggles locality, where it is one of the chief constituents of the orange gummite pseudomorphs after dendritic aggregates of uraninite crystals for which the locality is noted... It occurs as microcrystalline aggregates of a bright-orange to orange-yellow or golden-yellow color. ... The luster varies from dull and earthy to weakly vitreous in hard, translucent aggregates."
    Reference: [Clifford Frondel (1956) Mineral Composition of Gummite, American Mineralogist 41:539-568.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © 2002 John H. Betts
  		•  Schorl
    [Na][Fe
    2+
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    Reference: [No reference listed]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © 2003 Peter Cristofono
  		•  Sillimanite
    Al
     
    2
    		[O|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Description: Found in schist.
    Reference: []
  		•  Soddyite
    (UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		SiO
     
    4
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: "[Soddyite] occurs abundantly at the Ruggles pegmatite..., as complete pseudomorphs after uraninite. These are yellow to straw-yellow in color, with a dense to almost pulverulent consistency, and are composed of minute shreds and fibers of soddyite admixed with small amounts of uranophane."
    Reference: [Clifford Frondel (1956) Mineral Composition of Gummite, American Mineralogist 41:539-568.]
  		•  Staurolite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg,Zn)
     
    1.5-2
    		Al
     
    9
    		[O
     
    6
    		|(OH,O)
     
    2
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		]
    Description: Found in metamorphic rocks. Not found in the Ruggles pegmatite.
    Reference: []
  		•  Topaz
    Al
     
    2
    		[(F,OH)
     
    2
    		|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Description: No specimens known.
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Triphylite
    LiFe
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 667. Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © Van King
  		•  Uraninite
    UO
     
    2
    Description: Large quantities of uraninite and its alteration to other minerals have been found here.
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © Christopher O'Neill
  		•  Uranophane
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © AK2008
  		•  Uranospinite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·10H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
  		•  Vandendriesscheite
    PbU
     
    7
    		O
     
    22
    		·12H
     
    2
    		O
    Description: "Vandendriesscheite occurs as dense microcrystalline aggregates. The color varies from yellow-orange, brownish orange, and orange to orange-red."
    Reference: [Clifford Frondel (1956) Mineral Composition of Gummite, American Mineralogist 41:539-568.]
  		•  Vivianite
    Fe
    2+
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]
    Site Photo
    Ruggles mine, Grafton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
    © Van King
  		•  Zircon
    Zr[SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Morrill. P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.]


    62 entries listed. 38 valid minerals. 15 erroneous literature entries.

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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Jobs in New Hampshire, USA Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 14th Nov 2009 10:42:26