Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

Discussions

💬 Home 🔎 Search 📅 Latest

╳Discussions

💬 Home 🔎 Search 📅 Latest

Groups

Recent Images in Discussions

LocalitiesEl Hammam Mine, El Hammam, Ait Mimoune Caïdat, Khémisset Cercle, Khémisset Province, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region, Morocco

3rd Oct 2017 22:04 UTCJonelle DeFelice

HI all

Wicked quick question about a little specimen of yellow fluorite I picked up on Ebay that is from the El Hammam Mine.

The seller only listed it as fluorite, and I am trying to figure out if the reddish/brownish areas are an actual mineral, or staining of some kind. If it IS staining, can cleaners like Iron Out, Isopropyl alcohol, and degreasers be safely used?

What could the other minerals be in this specimen? Someone warned me that if they are calcite, I'd have to be very careful.

Any tips from people familiar with material from this location?

JD

(attached are two quick photos)

3rd Oct 2017 22:09 UTCTomasz Praszkier Manager

This one is from Sidi Said or Sidi Ayed.

3rd Oct 2017 22:24 UTCAndrew Debnam 🌟

Jonelle if you search past forums you will find plenty of cleaning info- Go to the forum list of topics click on mineral cleaning and preparation and use the search function

https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,19,28758,396550#msg-396550

3rd Oct 2017 22:33 UTCJonelle DeFelice

ANDREW - yup, but since I don't know what the rest of the material is, I am not sure how to proceed

Tomasz - so "El Hamman" is a general area?

3rd Oct 2017 22:46 UTCScott Rider

You can search for cleaning fluorite in that section Andrew mentioned. Location really doesn't matter. What you have is probably iron-oxide staining or some that are on top of the crystals, which are common from this location. However, I would not use Iron Out as it can dull the luster of the specimen. In all honesty, you specimen really looks fine as is, ableit maybe the images are not telling the whole story.

4th Oct 2017 01:35 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

Jonelle, the iron stained crystals are quartz.

4th Oct 2017 15:24 UTCJonelle DeFelice

(clarification... I mentioned the location only because someone may know what minerals are commonly found with fluorite AT this location)

Kevin says QUARTZ! Someone on a FB page said CALCITE! (and you wonder why I get so befuddled learning this hobby!)

;-)

One thing I did learn last night, this specimen does fluoresce. I'll have to try and get a photo.

5th Oct 2017 03:35 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Check the hardness of the 'quartz'. Look for cleavage and check with vinegar.At least it is only iron staining which adds a colour, so quartz or not I'd leave it alone.

5th Oct 2017 12:54 UTCTomasz Praszkier Manager

El Hammam is wrong location, its not from that mine, is from Sidi Said- Sidi Ayed area.

12th Jan 2018 23:11 UTCColleen Thomson Expert

Hya Jonelle,

Tom is one of the resident experts on Morocco - if he says its from a particular locality - then it probably is!

And having collected there too - it certainly is! :-) I'm surprised your label says El Hammam - these are normally wrongly attributed to Aouli mine- lol.

Why would you want to remove the red colouration? Its one of the things thats indicative of the locality and quite attractive (though I agree that is in the eye of the beholder!).

Also - I believe that some of the Fe Oxide is INCLUDED within the quartz and you may NOT remove it. I also dont think it would improve your specimen.

Is it worth risking dulling or damaging those lovely yellow fluorites? Thats down to you.

Dont worry though - as collectors we are faced with exactly the same dilemma time and time again!

Enjoy :-)

15th Jan 2018 18:17 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Colleen - THANKS for your info! I have indeed decided to let it be. If just because my lack of experience may "kill" it!

;-)

Your post reminded me that I need to try and take a photo of the specimen fluorescing. I only have a small lamp so it takes a lot of puttering around and "photo-shopping" to get a decent image worthy of sharing.

21st Jan 2019 02:57 UTCJonelle DeFelice

HI again folks, doing a little updating to my profile and noticed I never updated the location of the specimen I shared here in 2017!

I see the listing Sidi Ayed (Sidi Ayad), Boulemane Province, Fès-Meknès Region, Morocco here but should I not choose a specific mine? Unless folks can help a bit more to narrow that down? Tomasz Praszkier?

15th Jun 2019 23:10 UTCColleen Thomson Expert

Hi Jonelle,

the correct locality is here:

Chebka sidi Said, Midelt Province, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco

my memories of the place was that it was freezing cold and blowing a gale and trying to sleet!!

take a look at the associated photos on the locality page, I believe you will recognise the similarities with your specimen :-)

Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: April 25, 2024 22:02:19

Go to top of page