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Mineral PhotographyBest photographs of specimens larger than 1cm

28th Mar 2013 11:11 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

When scrolling through Mindat's photo galleries I can see lots of excellent photographs of micro mounts but not very many of larger specimens.

The reason for this might be that people who specialize on micro photos are mostly real experts while photographs of larger specimens (measuring at least 1cm) are usually made by collectors like myself who are more interested in collecting than in photographing.

With this thread I want to invite all collectors to show her/his best photographs of specimens larger than 1cm. Everybody can show his own favorites side by side. These photos can be exchanged whenever somebody thinks she/he has new better ones.

The result might be a very nice collection if many follow my example. Please, don't let me stand alone with my pictures!

Rudolf

28th Mar 2013 11:16 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Calcite on Baryte & Galena 15cm wide

Fluorite 6,5cm wide

Fluorite, Baryte 6cm wide

Wulfenite 4,5cm wide

28th Mar 2013 16:58 UTCSimone Citon Expert

Hello Rudolf! Take these 3 of my 5:

Phenakite, Rio Piracicaba (Old São Miguel de Piracicaba), Minas Gerais, Brazil, 4 cm crystal group

Rhodochrosite, N'Chwaning I Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Pr., South Africa, 10x9 cm specimen

Rhodochrosite, Oppu mine, Nishimeya-mura, Tohoku Region, Honshu Island, Japan, 9 cm specimen

28th Mar 2013 22:02 UTCRonnie Van Dommelen 🌟 Manager

Manganite, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2.5cm crystal

Calcite, Nova Scotia, Canada, 3.5cm

Howlite, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2.6cm cluster

28th Mar 2013 22:32 UTCRock Currier Expert

Ronnie,

That's good stuff.

3rd Apr 2013 00:50 UTCTim Jokela Jr

Jesus, Ronnie, you're kicking ass and taking names! Sick howlite.

3rd Apr 2013 02:19 UTCRonnie Van Dommelen 🌟 Manager

Thanks guys. They represent a LOT of field trips though. And I only helped collect two of them.

Tim - yes that is a unique howlite. We've never found one so well exposed before.

What I don't understand is why more people haven't added their best pics. I was really looking forward to this thread growing quickly.

3rd Apr 2013 10:22 UTCSimone Citon Expert

...because it's easy to talk about, but it is not easy to do!

3rd Apr 2013 11:55 UTCMaggie Wilson Expert

And, Simone, the standard is high! Which is a good thing, but a tad intimidating!

3rd Apr 2013 12:07 UTCBob Harman

Millerite with calcite on chalcedony 7cm x 7cm. The millerite is 4 cm. Self collected from Monroe County, Indiana

3rd Apr 2013 14:05 UTCKeith A. Peregrine

Bob,

That is one of the most amazing geodes I've seen. I want one too!

Cheers!

Keith

3rd Apr 2013 19:48 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Hi,

first of all I want to thank all of you who have already posted their best photographs. I hope that more and more will soon join in. Don't bother about any standards because you can update or exchange your photos whenever you have new better ones.

Cheerio!

Rudolf

8th Apr 2013 12:14 UTCSimone Citon Expert

The other two...

Millerite in Siderite, Dillenburg, Hesse, Germany, 6x5 cm

Gypsum, Cabernardi mine, Sassoferrato, Marche, Italy, 4,5x4 cm twinned crystal on Aragonite and Sulphur

9th Apr 2013 01:43 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Berbes Fluorite

Obira Mine Quartz

Rhodochrosite Peru

Fluorite and Quartz Rock Candy Mine

15th Apr 2013 15:53 UTCKarsten Ivan

For start only three of my shots from Slovak minerals. Will be filled and changed soon :-)

16th Apr 2013 02:38 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

I guess I'll throw my name/photos in as well. I'll start with a fine agate:

19th May 2013 08:48 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Hello,

I can see some phantastic pictures already. I hope there are going to come more and more.

Regards,

Rudolf

19th May 2013 09:51 UTCJean Marie Laurent

Hello all !

Nice pictures indeed !

But... a question : do you use a stacking software (Helicon Focus, Combine Z, Zerene...) ?

Best regards

Jean-Marie

19th May 2013 10:04 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Hello Jean-Marie,

I think that most of us are using stacking softwares.

Best regards,

Rudolf

19th May 2013 11:28 UTCOivind Thoresen Expert

Calcite, Malmberget, Sweden. FOV 25 cm

19th May 2013 13:02 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Hello Oivind,

great photograph!!!

If you upload it into Mindat database you can make it visible without having to click on the link.

Best regards,

Rudolf

19th May 2013 15:25 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

Another one of my better specimens:

25th May 2013 13:37 UTCRobert Brandstetter Expert

Fluorite in it's best quality 17,5 x 14,4cm

"Frederic"- fluorite on smoky quartz, 9,5cm wide

26th May 2013 10:14 UTCRock Currier Expert

Robert,

Those are very good pictures and very fine specimens. These two attributed often do not go together in our image gallery, but here they do. They will be good additions to our best minerals articles.

26th May 2013 19:52 UTCRonald J. Pellar Expert

A 37mm Stak Nala Pakistan tourmaline.

26th May 2013 22:11 UTCRock Currier Expert

Ron,

That's a good picture. On my monitor however the black in the crystals, especially on the left side seems to make the left side of the crystal disappear into the background. I took the picture into Photoshop and increased the dynamic range of the image, or lightened the shadows as they call it and the result is below.

I think it looks a lot better. Knowing how careful with color and light and your background as a color scientist I have to assume that the image you downloaded did not look like it appears on my monitor. My recent work on some of the Best Minerals articles, especially all those black schorl specimens makes me think that perhaps most images that are uploaded to mindat have their dynamic range downgraded automatically by the upload process and it might be a good idea to develop an algorithm to automatically increase the dynamic range of uploaded images when needed if that would be possible.

I would be interested in your thoughts on the matter.

26th May 2013 22:37 UTCRonald J. Pellar Expert

Hi, Rock,

Playing in Photoshop can change a lot of things in an image, some for the better. Your manipulation is OK but the uploaded image is a JPEG and any manipulation of JPEGs can actually make it worse. An automatic enhancement as you suggest would not be good for a lot of the images. The enhancement that you did may look better to you, but it is not very representative of the specimen itself. Its kind of un-natural. The dynamic range in the original specimen as I look at under normal lighting is closer to what I have uploaded.

Ron

27th May 2013 01:46 UTCRock Currier Expert

So the picture you took didn't show a distinct edge to the crystal of tourmaline?

27th May 2013 03:18 UTCEugene & Sharon Cisneros Expert

Rock,

Your monitor may not be displaying the full dynamic range of the image. Those $129 monitors from Costco don’t make it. A man of your means can surely afford a good one. :-D I think Ron has it right on. The left edge is just barely perceptible on my photo editing monitors, so the full range of dark to light is nicely reproduced. I find the photo to be very pleasing. Nice shot Ron!

Gene

27th May 2013 03:57 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

The original photo looks fine as it was posted on my monitor with no fading to black as you saw, Rock. In all honesty, the photo after you Photoshop'ed it looks unnatural now, as though there is too much light on the subject or it was overexposed when the photo was taken. The only slight knock I have on the original photo is that to me it is still too shiny with the light reflecting back off the specimen, but that's just me.

27th May 2013 06:29 UTCRobert Brandstetter Expert

27th May 2013 10:46 UTCRock Currier Expert

Even my secretary has a better monitor than a $129 Cosco special.

27th May 2013 20:02 UTCRonald J. Pellar Expert

Rock,

Maybe you would like this version better?

Or would you prefer a different color? :-D

27th May 2013 21:24 UTCRonald J. Pellar Expert

Rock,

Manipulation of images is as old as photography. I remember before the digital age when I used dodging paddles to selectively adjust the exposure in certain areas of a photo. Some people took the adjustments too far and the result was more art than documentation. For minerals I think documentation is far more important than art and photoshopping should be restricted to improving the presentation without introducing any kind of distortion of reality concerning the specimen itself. Change the backgrounds all you want but try to present the mineral image honestly and as realistically as possible. I feel that "edge sharpening", e.g., "unsharp masking", "sharpen edges", etc., "shadow" and/or "highlight" adjustment, "color correction", etc. is sometimes overused to the point of making the mineral look "unnatural" even though the image is very impressive. Don't get me wrong some sharpening is definitely an improvement, it is only when carried a little beyond that it becomes too much.

Because of camera metamerism, white imbalance, etc., some "color correction" may be necessary, but if your monitor is not properly setup with a decent color profile, you could do more harm than good. It might look good on your monitor after your corrections but not on anyone else's monitor.

I am totally against any automatic processing by MinDat on upload (other than scaling of size). Let the photographer and/or uploader be responsible for their own photos. Any auto processing exposes MinDat to all sorts of complaints, criticism, etc. and should be avoided at all costs.

Ron

27th May 2013 22:28 UTCHarjo Neutkens Manager

There are lots that I could count amongst my favourites, but I'll limit myself to just two.

I always use either black or white paper (always paper!) for background, so one of each ;-)

Calcite, Landelies, Belgium

Cheers,

Harjo

27th May 2013 23:44 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Great pictures of wonderful specimens!

Harjo, I cannot stop admiring your Calcite! I wish you added some more.:)-D

Cheers

Rudolf

28th May 2013 08:45 UTCRock Currier Expert

Now your talking!

2nd Jun 2013 16:01 UTCAccount Closed

For me size is not important, i'm not specialized all specimen until 0.5 mm of fov is good ;)

http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/supermacro/supermacro1141.jpg

http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/supermacro/supermacro747.jpg

http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/supermacro/supermacro890.jpg

http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/supermacro/supermacro907.jpg

http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/supermacro/supermacro860.jpg

3rd Jun 2013 02:19 UTCRock Currier Expert

Those are very good photos. Would you consider uploading them to Mindat's database?

3rd Jun 2013 20:09 UTCAccount Closed

mostly are ever on mindat ;)...

4th Jun 2013 12:16 UTCSimon Baxter

Three newly acquired thumbnail specimens. Small but with great aesthetics

https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-a.ak/hphotos-ak-ash4/421209_10201247904817787_1944110444_n.jpg

Dioptase thumbnail from Tsumeb mine Namibia (15x10x8mm).

https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-b.ak/hphotos-ak-prn2/971455_10201247904937790_635063226_n.jpg

Spessartine Garnet thumbnail from Tongbei , Fujian Province , China (25x20x13mm).

https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-g.ak/hphotos-ak-ash3/576568_10201247904857788_1083886112_n.jpg

Rhodochrosite with pyrite thumbnail apparently out of the Sweet Home mine but I have my doubts (14x11x6mm).

8th Jul 2013 13:52 UTCMarkus Rosenkranz

Here you can see one of my favourite speciemens from the famous and historic mining district "Oberzeiring" in styria.

location: oberzeiring styria

size: 135x125x85mm

max. diameter of the crystalsaggregates: 53mm !!!

Markus Rosenkranz collection (Stoafex78)

8th Jul 2013 14:03 UTCMarkus Rosenkranz

Here you can see one of my favourite speciemens from the famous and historic mining district "Bleiberg" in carinthia.

location: bleiberg rudolfshaft

Size: 240x150x90mm !!!

max. size of the galenacrystals 35mm !!!

weight: 3900g

In this size very hard to obtain!

Markus Rosenkranz collection (Stoafex78)

8th Jul 2013 14:08 UTCMarkus Rosenkranz

Here you can see one of my favourite speciemens from the famous "summit cleft" on the top of the weißeck mountain".

location: weißeck salzburg

mineral: fluorite

size of the speciemen: 132x120x68mm

max. distance between two parallel surfaces: 125mm!!!

weight: 1200g

With backlight you can see a intense blue colour with daylight and a violett colour with artificial light!

The faces show a fine natural gloss and are not etched by water!

Markus Rosenkranz collection (Stoafex78)

22nd Jul 2013 19:18 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

I do enjoy looking at these wonderful pictures and I desperately hope that many new ones are going to come.

Rudolf

22nd Jul 2013 21:45 UTCBob Harman

Isolated pale milky blue, double terminated CELESTINE, 5.8 cm x 3.8 cm on fossiliferous dolostone. Self-collected in August 2008 in Lime City Quarry, Ohio. Collecting on that club field trip was fabulous with most everyone finding high quality celestines. Sadly, the quarry closed about 2010 and is now flooded. CHEERS.......BOB

21st Jan 2014 00:56 UTCJeff Krueger

I just assembled a photo gallery (http://www.mindat.org/g/222) of some mineral photos by some of my favorite photographers on MinDat. I think they are all photos over 1cm. Enjoy.

22nd Jan 2014 19:27 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Thank you, Jeff.

It is a very nice collection. http://www.mindat.org/g/222

22nd Jan 2014 22:05 UTCHarjo Neutkens Manager

Harjo, I cannot stop admiring your Calcite! I wish you added some more

My pleasure, Rudolf ;-)

Landelies, 5cm

Landelies, 12cm

Landelies, 8cm

Ave et Auffe, 10cm

Ave et Auffe, 16cm

Cheers,

Harjo

23rd Jan 2014 02:19 UTCMark Heintzelman 🌟 Expert

Harjo,

I must agree, and as a fairly dedicated calcite collector myself, I too admire all these wonderful calcites you've recovered. That green calcite, the Landelies, 12cm in particular, is still one of my all time favorites here on mindat! Thanks again for sharing them all!

MRH

23rd Jan 2014 05:54 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Harjo,

thank you for sharing these wonderful pics!

Rudolf:-)

23rd Jan 2014 06:47 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

I have take photos of few macro and up specimens why I have many request of photos of micro specimens, and take photos of macro specimens take to me many time to build the set etc.. and unfortunaly I not have a my study where leave the set mounted everyday

23rd Jan 2014 09:20 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Matteo,

I am looking forward to see some of your excellent photographs here in this thread.

Rudolf

23rd Jan 2014 10:39 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

I not have many

http://www.mindat.org/photo-236250.html

http://www.mindat.org/photo-257641.html

http://www.mindat.org/photo-543818.html

http://www.mindat.org/photo-521625.html

http://www.mindat.org/photo-521614.html

http://www.mindat.org/photo-521613.html

http://www.mindat.org/photo-499106.html

and others are in my gallery

2nd Apr 2014 18:02 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Pezzottaite

Sakavalana mine, Ambatovita, Mandrosonoro, Ambatofinandrahana District, Amoron'i Mania, Madagascar

Matteo, I hope it is OK that I make your wonderful pictures visible.

Fluorite, Quartz, Calcite 2,2cm

Sulphur, Aragonite 3,3cm

Andradite 7,8cm wide

Aragonite 5,2cm wide

2nd Apr 2014 20:01 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

thanks

2nd Apr 2014 20:17 UTCBob Harman

Groups of small milky quartz crystals sprinkled over a 6 cm calcite and very minor reddish dolomites. Large, 14 cm

segment of an Indiana geode from Monroe County. Acquired 2012.

CHEERS……BOB

3rd Apr 2014 02:17 UTCJohn R. Montgomery 🌟 Expert

CLICK ON PICS FOR INFO

Rhodochrosite, etc.

Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

4th Apr 2014 00:32 UTCBob Harman

BARITE in the American Midwest is found in a variety of circumstances. In the Michigan copper country, it is found very sparingly. It is common and quite collectible in the Illinois Kentucky fluorite area as it is in the Elmwood Tennessee mining area. In Midwest quarries, perhaps the best crystals come from the recent finds in Iowa. There are many small and localized sites where it can also be found. In the sedimentary geodes of the Midwest, it is common, but, by far, the best and largest BARITE crystals are found in the geodes of south-central Indiana.This geode, from Monroe County, Indiana collected in the 1980s, is 14 cm x 9 cm and contains a single stout 5 cm x 3.8 cm x 0.9 cm thick crystal. Tiny marcasite and/or smythite crystals are included into the barite; this is quite common. CHEERS……BOB

4th Apr 2014 02:17 UTCEugene & Sharon Cisneros Expert

Whereas I normally photograph micro-mounts, Sharon has had me photographing some of her thumbnail collection recently. So, for me, these are gigantic specimens (they do exceed 1 cm) and present their own problems in photographing them. Of course, she had to provide me with a decent macro lens in order to start the project. :-)

Diamond 1.5 cm, 37.16 ct (sphere), Saha Republic, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

Diamond, 1.4 cm, 18.10 ct (octahedron), Premier Mine, Cullinan, Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Diamond, 1.3 cm, 7.04 ct (macle twin), Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Gene

4th Apr 2014 03:09 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Rhodochrosite from South Africa with what appears to be phantoms in some of the crystals. 4.1 x 2.5 cm.

High Resolution Version

4th Apr 2014 07:01 UTCGerhard Brandstetter Expert

Azurite on Baryte and Dolomite - 42 mm

Lilien adit, St. Gertraudi, Brixlegg, Tyrol, Austria

Hope you like it too. What i have seen there is really high quality photography in this thread. Hope to see more!

4th Apr 2014 11:27 UTCDebbie Woolf Manager

Gene, I really liked the diamonds from SA, have captured them to galleries.

4th Apr 2014 15:21 UTCMarco Albertazzi

4th Apr 2014 18:17 UTCEugene & Sharon Cisneros Expert

Debbie,

Thanks, that was kind of you.

Gene

5th Apr 2014 04:57 UTCStephen Rose Expert

A few of my favorites:

Galena, Double Rainbow Mine, Lawrence Co., S. Dakota 12x7.5x4 cm

Quartz, Trinity Range, Pershing Co., Nevada DT xl is 4 cm long.

Wulfenite, Glove Mine, Amado, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona 6x3.5x2.5 cm

Cheers!

Steve

5th Apr 2014 08:04 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Great photographs! Gerhard, your Azurite is one of my favorites!

Adularia, Quartz, Hematite 19cm wide

Cheers,

Rudolf

5th Apr 2014 17:31 UTCJohan Kjellman Expert

Frederic (tu) for your erythrite

Gene :)-D for your first diamond

cheers

5th Apr 2014 18:54 UTCEugene & Sharon Cisneros Expert

Rudolf,

Great Titanite, it pops right out at you and has such presence! It's hard to pick from all of these great shots... very nice work, everyone.

Gene

5th Apr 2014 22:21 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Gene,

thank you for your friendly comment and your wonderful pictures of diamonds!

If we started a voting for the best picture your first diamond would be one of the top favorites, I am sure.

Rudolf

5th Apr 2014 22:56 UTCStephen Rose Expert

After seeing some of the impressive fluorites (Robert!) posted I will add my $.02 worth. And I agree with Gene; that titanite is remarkable.

Clear fluorite on fluorite cast after baryte, Boulder Hill Mine, Lyon Co., Nevada 6x3.5x2 cm.

Cheers!

Steve

6th Apr 2014 01:29 UTCJohn R. Montgomery 🌟 Expert

SPINEL octahedral xl 1cm on edge on forsterite matrix, from Quebec, Canada

6th Apr 2014 14:30 UTCJonathan Zvonko Levinger Expert

I have a lots of pictures taken before the Stacking got popular and many of those are already posted in my albums on Facebook and elsewhere. Pictures posted here are so good that they show all information about the specimen so fast that it is overwhelming and kind of shocking.

Now my question is; Should I go and re do all my photos or do my old photos provide the enough visual information about the specimens.

Anyone that has the time please look at some examples here;

https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.zvonko/media_set?set=a.10151820878048823.1073741873.757958822&type=3&uploaded=111

Part of this was taken with 4MP Nikon Coolpix 4500 and part with the Olympus C 8080. I still use both this Cameras despite the Nikon D90 that is sitting here unused.

6th Apr 2014 19:17 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Jonathan,

I had a quick look at some of your pictures in facebook and I wish all my pictures were as good as yours. There is no need in my opinion to redo them. If I were you I only would take new pictures of those that I am not content with. That is what I often do with my older pics.

Regards,

Rudolf

6th Apr 2014 20:44 UTCMartin Rich Expert

If I'm right, this is my first post here. I'm a beginner in photographing minerals but I hope you have some funn!

Goethite from the Styrian Erzberg, Austria. Very hard to get a specimen from there, becaus the oxidation zone is carryed to end. 7 x 6.4 x 4.5 cm.

Magnesite, etc.

Kaswassergraben, Großreifling, Landl, Liezen District, Styria, Austria

Magnesite from the Kaswassergraben, Styria. 2.7 x 1.8 cm.

7th Apr 2014 01:37 UTCRock Currier Expert

Excellent pictures. I'm glad you took the time to upload them to our galleries.

7th Apr 2014 16:59 UTCEugene & Sharon Cisneros Expert

I'm posting these because I just like the colors.

Dioptase, Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia.

Gold

Colorado Mine, Colorado, Colorado Mining District, Whitlock Mining District, Bagby-Mariposa-Mount Bullion-Whitlock Mining District, Mariposa County, California, USA

Gold, Colorado Quartz Mine, Mariposa County, California, USA.

Gene

7th Apr 2014 18:12 UTCHenri Koskinen Expert

A lucky find from Lanzarote.

A cavity in basalt with white/clear chabazite and golden flowers of thomsonite with golden mesolite needle sprays.

FOV about 20mm. Self-collected 2014.

8th Apr 2014 00:15 UTCGeoff Van Horn Expert

Here is a picture of my favorite sulfide. A 1cm carrollite crystal in calcite from Congo.

9th Apr 2014 22:35 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Thank you all who share these beautiful pictures! :)-D

10th Apr 2014 00:14 UTCDebbie Woolf Manager

Gorgeous photos :-)

11th Apr 2014 18:20 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

I just had a look at AM's Rhodochrosite in high resolution. - All I can say is: " WOW"

12th Apr 2014 08:48 UTCGerhard Brandstetter Expert

In this nice thread only photo quality counts for me - not how rare a mineral is i or how huge the crystals are....

Indeed most of the images here have a very high level. Pure fun to watch them!

I have tons of mineral photos...... hard to say what are my personal favourites.

I think this new shot could be one of my best:

Calcite - 58 mm. From Jalgaon, Maharasthra, India

12th Apr 2014 11:39 UTCUwe Ludwig

Presently I make new pictures of my specimens by stacking 2 or 4 levels (frames). I think the pic of the Boracite is not so bad.

Rgds

Uwe Ludwig

12th Apr 2014 13:48 UTCTony Albini

I you look at my photos page you will see many beautiful specimens > 1 cm. Too numerous to post here.

12th Apr 2014 15:09 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Tony, you are right. We cannot post all beautiful specimens here. But we can show our favorite pictures. I am sure that you also have some photos that you particularly like. These are the ones you might show here.

Regards,

Rudolf

12th Apr 2014 16:51 UTCMarco Albertazzi

MINERALI DEL MARMO CARRARA ITALIA COLLEZIONE E FOTO MARCO ALBERTAZZI

12th Apr 2014 17:10 UTCStephen Rose Expert

One of my favorites collected nearly 15 years ago, clear fluorite cubes on a large barite crystal. 9.5x7x4 cm. Boulder Hill Mine, Wellington, Nevada.

Steve

13th Apr 2014 08:50 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

An older specimen re-photographed. Pale blue barites on hematite included calcite from Frizington. 8.5 x 6.0 cm.

High Resolution Version

13th Apr 2014 13:12 UTCBob Harman

A really nice example of simple Midwest minerals. A 13 cm x 12 cm Indiana geode with a 5 cm x 4.5 cm calcite on dolomite. Self collected in about 2009 in Washington County. CHEERS……BOB

13th Apr 2014 21:26 UTCTony Albini

Hi Rudolf,

When my photographer gets back from vacation, I will try to have him show me how to post some of my favorites on this site. I have no knowledge to to do this myself. Hopefully, I will in the future.

Regards, Tony

13th Apr 2014 21:47 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Hi Tony,

Do you see the red tourmaline icon in the row. It is the one before the smiley. When you click it on the following line appears:<

All you have to do then is to click on the XXXX and fill in the mindat number of your photo there.

Good luck,

Rudolf

13th Apr 2014 22:08 UTCStephen Rose Expert

Calcite from North Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana. ca 1965. 3x3.5x3 cm.

13th Apr 2014 22:19 UTCStephen Rose Expert

Rudolf seems to like wulfenite.

Wulfenite, Glove Mine, Amado, AZ. 5.5x3.5 cm. Crystals with matte surfaces.

Steve

13th Apr 2014 22:55 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

How did you find out, Stephen?;-)

Thanks for sharing.

Rudolf

14th Apr 2014 23:27 UTCStephen Rose Expert

Rudolf,

A Bad Bleibird flew by and told me.

Steve

14th Apr 2014 23:58 UTCKelly Nash 🌟 Expert

Many great photos here. I don't think this is my best photo, but it's interesting to me that, of nearly 1400 photos in Mindat that I've posted, this photo of a 3-cm., $6 inesite specimen (Daye Cu Mine, China, via Dave Shannon, 2003), taken with a $25 camera (used Nikon CP-990 from ebay) is the "most viewed" of all of them.

15th Apr 2014 02:21 UTCJohn R. Montgomery 🌟 Expert

That's priceless Kelly :)-D

John

15th Apr 2014 11:22 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I started one year ago to take pictures of all my specimens, for cataloging purposes. For some reasons that I still don't fully understand, some pictures are ugly while others turn out to be quite nice. I think this one deserves to be posted here.

Spessartine on smoky quartz, from the Wushan Spessartine Mine, China.

15th Apr 2014 14:25 UTCUwe Ludwig

I would like to show a second picture with a dark calzite of the mining field Ronneburg/Thuringia. The pict. is made of stacking 3 frames.

Rgds.

Uwe Ludwig

15th Apr 2014 14:45 UTCTony Albini

Tessin habit quartz from Becker quarry, West Willington, CT, 5 cm tall.

Rudolf, thanks for the help. Tony

15th Apr 2014 14:53 UTCTony Albini

Chalcocite crystals, Bristol Copper mine, Bristol, CT, 3.5 x 3 x 3cm

15th Apr 2014 14:57 UTCTony Albini

Pocket almandine crystal 3 x 3.5 x 2 cm with ankerite-magnesite crystals, Becker quarry, West Willington, CT. 9 x 10 x 6 cm.

15th Apr 2014 15:06 UTCTony Albini

Elbaite crystal, Schoonmaker mine, Portland, CT , 4 x 2 x 1.8 cm.

15th Apr 2014 18:12 UTCTony Albini

Gem heliodor crystal, Roebling mine, Upper Merryall, CT. 4 x 3 x 3.5 cm

15th Apr 2014 19:10 UTCScott Rider

Smoky Quartz on Aegerine: Mount Malosa, Domasi, , Zomba District, Malawi, 6.25 cm tall

15th Apr 2014 20:08 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Lots of excellent pictures!!!! I am glad I had the lucky idea to start this thread.

As Stephen is quite right with his guess that I like Wulfenites I post another one:

Tony, you are doing well now. If you want to have the pictures you post in the centre you just have to change the float from left to center. For doing this you click into the word "left" and then write "center" there.

Regards,

Rudolf

15th Apr 2014 21:26 UTCGerhard Brandstetter Expert

Fine things here! I specially love that chalcocite - rare and good classic!

And a good photo too!

15th Apr 2014 21:43 UTCHarold Moritz 🌟 Expert

On vacation but enjoying the thread, gloomy day today so have some time to post a few!

A 3 cm tall columbite-(Fe), from Case Quarries, Portland, Conn., USA

Wodginite, etc.

Strickland Quarry, Strickland pegmatite, Collins Hill, Portland, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA

A 2.1 cm wodginite from Strickland Quarry, Portland, Conn., USA

Molybdenite, etc.

Unnamed quarry SE of Middletown, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA

A 3.5 x 5 cm molybdenite from White Rocks, Middletown, Conn., USA

Almandine, etc.

Nathan Hall Quarry, East Hampton, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA

A 3 cm tall almandine from Nathan Hall Quarry, E. Hampton, Conn., USA

15th Apr 2014 23:06 UTCStephen Rose Expert

I agree, that is a great chalcocite. And that columbite (Fe) is striking.

Here is a little franklinite from the Franklin Mining District, Franklin, New Jersey. Major crystal is 3x2.5x2.5 cm.

Cheers!

Steve

15th Apr 2014 23:45 UTCTony Albini

Water clear pocket golden beryl, 4.2 cm long, Slocum quarry, East Hampton, CT.

16th Apr 2014 17:47 UTCAdam Kelly

Wow Tony, great Connecticut pieces.

I need you to photograph my tessin habit piece from Becker Quarry

16th Apr 2014 20:36 UTCHarold Moritz 🌟 Expert

A couple more:

A 13.2 cm elbaite from the Gillette Quarry, Haddam Neck, Conn., USA

Cleavelandite

Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA

An 8 x 9.5 cm swirl of cleavelandite crystals from the Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Conn., USA.

16th Apr 2014 20:58 UTCTony Albini

Hi Adam,

All my photographs were done by Harold Moritz, a close friend of mine and a great photographer. I can only take credit for the specimens and thanks for the compliment :)

Tony

16th Apr 2014 21:05 UTCTony Albini

Eucryptite after spodumene fluorescing under SW UV light from the type locality, Fillow quarry, Branchville, CT, 9 x 3 x 6 cm.

16th Apr 2014 21:34 UTCTony Albini

Big, blocky tantalite-(Mn) crystal, 5 x 3.5 x3 cm, Strickland quarry, Portland, CT, collected in 1933 by Bob Brandenberger.

16th Apr 2014 21:43 UTCTony Albini

Danburite crystals on matrix, whole specimen is 6 x 5 x 4.5 cm, largest crystal is 3.2 cm long, Danbury, CT

16th Apr 2014 21:51 UTCTony Albini

Terminated samarskite-(Y) crystal, 4 x 2x 1.8 cm, Spinelli quarry, Glastonbury, CT, field collected by myself.

19th Apr 2014 21:36 UTCStephen Rose Expert

Another calcite from North Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana. Ca 1966. 7.5x7.6 cm.

Steve

21st Apr 2014 06:29 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Rhodochrosite crystals on matrix. 6.5 x 6.5 cm. N'Chwaning Mines.

21st Apr 2014 17:27 UTCStephen Rose Expert

Marcasite, Vintirov, Czech Republic 5.5x4x3.5 cm

Steve

21st Apr 2014 23:20 UTCEugene & Sharon Cisneros Expert

Here's a couple with clashing colors...

Rhodochrosite, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA

Arsentsumebite, Mimetite

Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region (Oshikoto), Namibia

Arsentsumebite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

Gene

22nd Apr 2014 12:25 UTCTony Albini

Two white-cap amazonite crystals, large xl on left specimen 6.5 cm long. Right crystal 4.5 cm long, Lake George, Park county, Colorado, USA.

22nd Apr 2014 13:20 UTCPetr Fuchs Expert

A little bit from me... Mordenite and Heulandite from India - 80x50mm

Natrolite with Analcime from Czech republic - 100x60mm

Zinwaldite with Fluorite from Krupka, Czech republic - 45x40mm

23rd Apr 2014 12:26 UTCTony Albini

Elbaite crystal 4 cm long with quartz, Dunton Gem Quarry, Newry, Oxford County, Maine, USA

25th Apr 2014 10:44 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Sceptered twin quartz with tourmaline. Blue Mountain Saddle, Washington. 4.6 x 6.1 cm

High Resolution Version

26th Apr 2014 00:20 UTCTony Albini

Rhodochrosite stalagtites, largest is 6 x 2 x 2 cm, Capillitas mine, Andalgala Department, Catamarca, Argentina

28th Apr 2014 03:53 UTCEugene & Sharon Cisneros Expert

Scheelite, Baia Sprie (Felsöbánya), Maramureș Co., Romania

3 cm X 2 cm X 2 cm

This is an old Walt Lidstrom specimen, purchased in the mid '60s. It is of special significance for us, because Walt was our friend and mentor.

Gene

28th Apr 2014 12:30 UTCTony Albini

Rubidium rich beryl (originally thought to be phenakite). Crystal 2.3 cm long, Brack Gem Prospect, East Glastonbury, CT.

29th Apr 2014 04:29 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Cluster of barite crystals with a bit of malachite. 8.5 x 5.4 cm

Shangulowé Mine, Democratic Republic of Congo.

High Resolution Version

29th Apr 2014 09:12 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Gorgeous pics!!!!! Thank you all for sharing!

One more Wulfenite from Bad Bleiberg:

29th Apr 2014 16:40 UTCTony Albini

Nice montebrasite crystal, 7 x 6 x 5 cm, with faces showing typical tan surface alteration. Pollucite and elbaite not visible. This specimen was labeled as feldspar, identified as montebrasite by me by specific gravity and heating chip in small propane cylinder and getting red lithium flame and melting as described in Frederick Pough's A FIELD GIDE TO ROCKS AND MINERALS, walden Gem quarry, Portland, CT, USA.

29th Apr 2014 21:26 UTCMartin Gruell Expert

610090

29th Apr 2014 21:26 UTCMartin Gruell Expert

30th Apr 2014 13:38 UTCTony Albini

Martin, beautiful fluorite, Tony

30th Apr 2014 13:47 UTCTony Albini

Pink Elbaite in pollucite, 7 x 7 x 4.5 cm, longest crystal is 5 cm, collected by Richard Schooner, c. 1950, Strickland quarry, Portland, CT, USA

30th Apr 2014 13:47 UTCMartin Gruell Expert

30th Apr 2014 14:02 UTCMartin Gruell Expert

30th Apr 2014 14:09 UTCMartin Gruell Expert

30th Apr 2014 14:35 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

"WOW"!!!! Great specimens and pics!

30th Apr 2014 16:21 UTCTony Albini

Tantalite-(Mn) crystal in matrix, crystal is 1.5 x 1.3 x 1.5 cm. Collected by Louis W. Little, old timer, Strickland quarry, Portland, CT, USA.

12th May 2014 05:41 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Smoky quartz enhydro from the Rist Mine. 6.5 x 3.8 cm

High Resolution Version

Quartz with rutile from a small find found near the Rist Mine. 3.9 x 2.8 cm

Quartz, etc.

Hiddenite, Alexander County, North Carolina, USA

High Resolution Version

Back of specimen.

Quartz, etc.

Hiddenite, Alexander County, North Carolina, USA

High Resolution Version

12th May 2014 20:38 UTCVítězslav Snášel Expert

Aquamarine with quartz, Gilgit, Pakistan

Dimensions: 47 mm x 34 mm x 25 mm

13th May 2014 19:13 UTCTony Albini

Microcline var. Amazonite crystal, 6 x 8.5 x 5 cm, field collected in 1985 with permission. Hewitt Gem quarry, AKA Sawmill quarry, Haddam, CT, USA

13th May 2014 23:41 UTCVincent Rigatti

One of my favorites. Aquamarine compound xtal 7 cm tall, with albite and schorl

15th May 2014 17:02 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Would be one of my favorites too, Vincent!!! Great stuff!

Regards,

Rudolf

15th May 2014 21:50 UTCMartin Gruell Expert

17th May 2014 23:02 UTCTony Albini

Gem beryl crystal, 7.4 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm, Klein Spitkopje granite stock, Spitkopje Area, Karibib Disrtrict, Erongo Region, Namibia, one of my favorites.

18th May 2014 00:25 UTCEugene & Sharon Cisneros Expert

Phosphophyllite

Unificada Mine, Cerro de Potosí (Cerro Rico), Potosí City, Potosí Department, Bolivia

19th May 2014 03:52 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Smithsonite with inclusions and quartz. Tsumeb. 6.2 x 4.2 cm.

Smithsonite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

24th May 2014 16:25 UTCTony Albini

Golden and orange beryl, 4 x 1.4 x 1.4 cm, Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil

25th May 2014 02:20 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Acanthite

Proano Mine, Mexico. 4.4 x 2.2 cm

28th May 2014 18:26 UTCTony Albini

Botryoidal rhodochrosite on matrix, 12 x 6.5 x 8 cm, Ushkatyn #3 deposit, Zhayrem, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan

29th May 2014 02:03 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Barite

Nador, Nador Province, Oriental Region, Morocco

7.0 x 7.8 cm

High Resolution Version

30th May 2014 13:24 UTCTony Albini

Three spessartine crystals, largest is 3.5 x 2.5 x 2cm. Pictured in the Connecticut issue of Rocks & Minerals, December 1995, Volume 70, Number 6. Collected by Richard Schooner. Hollister #1 quarry, South Glastonbury, CT, USA

31st May 2014 20:01 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wow!!!! Outstanding pictures! Thank you for sharing AM, Tony, Martin, Vitezslav, Vincent, Gene, Petr,…………..!!!!

Regards,

Rudolf

31st May 2014 21:37 UTCHarold Moritz 🌟 Expert

Unusual association of lavender fluorescing albite overgrowths on pale blue fluorescing microclines (partly etched) lying on cleavelandite crystals (reddish-magenta fluorescence), shown under SW UV illumination. Specimen is 5 x 7.5 cm. Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Connecticut, USA.

2.5 cm brookite from Taftan, Chagai, Balochistan, Pakistan (not mine, wish it was!).

1st Jun 2014 09:42 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz

Alchuri, Pakistan

4.2 x 6.0 cm

1st Jun 2014 14:10 UTCTony Albini

Doubly terminated montebrasite crystal with lepidolite, 5 x 5 x 3 cm, field collected with permission, Howard-Collins quarry, Georgetown, Maine, USA

2nd Jun 2014 23:47 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

3rd Jun 2014 23:49 UTCTony Albini

Prismatic pink beryl overgrowth on green beryl core (visible on fractured upper left of crystal), 11 x 10 x 7 cm, Gillette quarry, Haddam Neck, Connecticut, USA

4th Jun 2014 02:36 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Fluorite, Ilvaite, Arsenopyrite

Inner Mongolia

6.7 x 6.5 cm

5th Jun 2014 00:18 UTCTony Albini

Doubly-terminated, parallel growth amethyst, 9 x 8 x 7 cm, former Charles and Marchelle Weber specimen, Route 11 Road cuts, Salem, Connecticut, USA

5th Jun 2014 15:33 UTCMartin Gruell Expert

5th Jun 2014 21:03 UTCGerhard Brandstetter Expert

Cerussite twins with Duftite - 20 mm

Tsumeb, Namibia

6th Jun 2014 01:11 UTCTony Albini

Closeup of a 2 x 2 cm apophyllite aggregate on datolite, Roncari quarry, East Granby, Connecticut, USA

6th Jun 2014 02:03 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Silver

Kongsberg, Buskerud, Norway

3.5 x 4.5 cm

6th Jun 2014 12:56 UTCTony Albini

Classic Dunton quarry elbaite with a long sloping terminal face, 5 x 2 x 1.5 cm.

Dunton Gem quarry, Newry, Maine, USA

23rd Jun 2014 08:53 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Apatite on calcite.

Lake Baikal area, Russia

7.2 x 7.3 cm

25th Jun 2014 15:52 UTCTony Albini

Doubly terminated foitite with blue elbaite overgrowth, former Bruce Jarnot specimen, Bruce had John Attard analyze this piece. Ex-Earle Sullivan collection, 1962. Strickland quarry, Portland, CT, USA

29th Jun 2014 11:11 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Calcite and Quartz

Cata Mine, Mexico

12.7 x 12.0 cm

3rd Jul 2014 13:04 UTCTony Albini

Kyanite crystals in muscovite variety fuchsite, 10 x 4 x 4 cm. Former Chris Kellum specimen. Borisovskie Sopki, Plast, Chelyabinsk Oblast', Southern Urals, Russia

14th Jul 2014 04:57 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Fluorite on Stibnite

Banpo Mine, China

11.0 x 9.0 x 8.2 cm

High Resolution Version

2nd Aug 2014 00:24 UTCStephen Rose Expert

A fine, gemmy Linwood Mine, Iowa baryte group with minor matrix. 5x3x3.5 cm. Gift of D. Kossow 06/14. Ex G. Tribbey specimen.

3rd Aug 2014 08:09 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz, Hematite, Pyrite

Cleator Moor

5.4 x 3.2 cm

Pyrite Detail

Quartz, etc.

Cleator Moor, Copeland, Cumbria, England, UK

3rd Aug 2014 16:04 UTCKelly Nash 🌟 Expert

Wow, tough competition here. Here's 3 of mine (all are in Mindat).

Stephanite, Fresnillo, Mexico

Sphalerite on Sphalerite, Mogul Mine, Ireland

Flourite, Auglaize Quarry, Ohio

4th Aug 2014 01:15 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Elbaite, Quartz

Paprok, Afghanistan

3.4 x 3.1 cm

8th Aug 2014 22:15 UTCStephen Rose Expert

This augite crystal just makes the 1 cm cutoff for this thread. Overall 5x4x4.5 cm. From the Monzoni Mts., Fassa Valley, Trento Province, Italy.

Cheers!

Steve

11th Aug 2014 19:59 UTCStephen Rose Expert

A little columbite from the Etta Mine, Keystone, Pennington Co., South Dakota. 4x3.5x3 cm with a 2 cm crystal.

Cheers!

Steve

11th Aug 2014 23:37 UTCVincent Rigatti

Here is a complex Rhodo crystal with hubenerite, quartz and pyrite from Sweet Home. Long dimension is 4.8 cm

12th Aug 2014 02:22 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Tourmaline from the Himalaya Mine. 5.5 x 2.9 cm

17th Aug 2014 00:53 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wonderful pics again!! Thanks!:-)

I am back with a lovely Rock Crystal from Goldberg group:

17th Aug 2014 14:27 UTCFrank Craig

Hi Rudolf

Great Idea, but I have to agree with Maggie - the bar has been set very high (and I'm a photographer!) :-)

Impressive photos folks!

I will search my "archives" and hopefully find some pics that compare.

Regards

Frank

17th Aug 2014 22:41 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Hi Frank,

Thank you for your appreciation.

I am convinced that you can find many pictures that fit in here and I am looking forward to see them.

Best regards,

Rudolf :)-D

18th Aug 2014 01:25 UTCFrank Craig

Here are a few - haven't figured out how to attach more than 3 :-S

Will have a few more in the near future.

Regards

Frank

18th Aug 2014 07:12 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wow!!!

Frank, you should upload the pictures to mindat's database first. Then you can easily use them here just by clicking on the red tourmalin icon and filling in the mindat numbers of your pictures.

Regards,

Rudolf

18th Aug 2014 22:54 UTCFrank Craig

Thanks Rudolf, i'll do that. Here are a few more in the interim.

18th Aug 2014 23:20 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Frank, There's a Photo of the Day (POTD) on the front page and photographers are quite competitive for it. Managers select POTD candidates and everyday one candidate is randomly chosen. Occasionally Jolyon will go in a set a photo for Hallowe'en or April Fools, etc., but there would be an uproar about favouritism if there was any meddling. I'm telling you this because the quality of your photos is certainly adequate for a POTD, but the managers tend not to select photos with writing on them. I look forward to your uploads.

19th Aug 2014 04:34 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Hello Rudolf!

Nice to hear from you. Anyway, my last post here was quite long ago, so here my next image:

Smoky Quartz with very intense colour from Brunn, Waldviertel, Lower Austria.

5 x 3.2 cm

19th Aug 2014 04:45 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Tourmaline

Momeik Township, Myanmar

5.0 x 3.7 cm

Top View

19th Aug 2014 11:04 UTCFrank Craig

Thanks Rob, did not know that.

Rob/Rudolf:

Is there a "standard" format I should follow?

Regards

Frank

19th Aug 2014 15:47 UTCJelmer Hoeksma

Amethyst

Veracruz, Mexico

Vera Cruz Amethyst

6 by 5 by 5 cm

19th Aug 2014 17:27 UTCJelmer Hylke Hoeksma

Brazilianite

Largest crystal is 37mm

19th Aug 2014 17:32 UTCJelmer Hylke Hoeksma

Aragonite from Spain

6 by 5 by 5 cm

19th Aug 2014 17:37 UTCJelmer Hylke Hoeksma

Orange scolecite from India

8 by 5 by 3 cm

19th Aug 2014 17:41 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

No Frank I don't think there's any format other than to avoid writing on the image. The other thing that does appeal to managers is some kind of mineral info pertaining to the photo in the caption. So an excellent photo of something uncommon has a much better chance of POTD if the caption has a mineralogically interesting story rather than just a species name. I hope that helps.

19th Aug 2014 17:42 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Jelmer, Please upload those beautiful photos.

19th Aug 2014 17:42 UTCJelmer Hylke Hoeksma

Fluorite from Seilles, Belgium

15 by 11 by 8 cm

19th Aug 2014 17:45 UTCJelmer Hylke Hoeksma

Thanks for the compliment Rob. :-)

Photos are already uploaded.

Well, so I thought.

Now they are.

19th Aug 2014 18:16 UTCJelmer Hylke Hoeksma

The last one. Reminds me that I have to make a lot of new pics.

Amethyst, smoky quartz from Brandberg

67 by 43 by 28mm

19th Aug 2014 19:46 UTCRoger Lang Manager

Hi all,

i am in with a few :-)

Fluorite

Xianghuapu Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Galena, etc.

Hannibal Mine, Heftrich, Idstein, Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany

Amethyst

Piedra Parada, Tatatila Municipality, Veracruz, Mexico

Cheers

Roger

19th Aug 2014 22:25 UTCStephen Rose Expert

Great photos, everyone!

Here is a specimen that dates back to pre-1940 sometime. It measures about 17x12 cm.

And, because we can all appreciate a mature backside.....

Cheers!

Steve

22nd Aug 2014 19:24 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Really great photos!

When I started the thread I actually did not expect to get to see so many phantastic pictures.

As Wulfenite collector I particularly like Roger's Wulfi pic! Absolutely stunning!!

Regards,

Rudolf :-)

29th Aug 2014 21:53 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

This one is with 31cm definitely bigger than 1cm:

Cheers,

Rudolf

30th Aug 2014 15:11 UTCOlivier L.

Mine is bigger! For reference my boot is size 12

(Xenomorphic Nepheline)

30th Aug 2014 16:20 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Thanks Olivier. What's the locality?. Could you please add this photo to that locality?

30th Aug 2014 20:56 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Congratulations, Olivier!

With size 12 you must be the winner.

Regards,

Rudolf

31st Aug 2014 05:34 UTCRock Currier Expert

Wow, Ill take ten of those. Ill pay up to $10 each for them.

31st Aug 2014 14:44 UTCHarold Moritz 🌟 Expert

Great pix everyone!

Speaking of large crystals, here is a pic from the Palermo pegmatite mine in New Hampshire http://www.mindat.org/loc-3942.html of my wife Sheila with the remnants of a huge microcline that was exposed in the quartz core. This photo was taken in the 1990s, cant remember exactly what year, but the year before, my first trip there ever, this was an intact, euhedral crystal, the biggest I had ever seen, in a museum or in the field! (Hard to see the remnants just past each hand, the termination at upper left is more obvious). And I didnt have a camera!! So, sadly by the next year they had blasted most of it away and I got only the remnants...(this is a poor scan of a print, one day I'll make a better one and post it to the locality page).
Always bring a camera when collecting, there is only one opportunity to photograph minerals in-situ.

2nd Sep 2014 01:22 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Amethyst Jacksons Crossroads

6.2 x 3.0 cm

2nd Sep 2014 04:01 UTCStephen Rose Expert

A little golden barite on calcite from concretions along the Little Missouri River in Crook County, Wyoming. Collected in 1970. There is an interesting overgrowth at each termination giving the crystal a 'barbell' effect. The crystal is 1.5 cm long.

Cheers!

Steve

2nd Sep 2014 12:32 UTCMaggie Wilson Expert

Holy smokes, AM!

2nd Sep 2014 18:59 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Thanks Maggie

3rd Sep 2014 00:18 UTCRoger Lang Manager

Ok, Rudolf asked for more ;-) ....

Cheers, Roger

Elbaite, etc.

Pederneira mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil

3rd Sep 2014 00:41 UTCJim Robison

AM

I tried to comment yesterday, and got the 'hack' message mentioned on another thread.

Your photography no longer simply astounds me. It is beyond imagining. Wonderful amethyst.

Question on the top reflective face. What are the small regular geometric gray appearing images. Surface features, or a view into the crystal, or ??? Very interesting and intriguing

Thanks for your continued day brighteners

Jim

3rd Sep 2014 03:44 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your nice comments. I am glad you like the piece. It really is quite a glassy jewel. The geometric forms in the reflection are surface features.

AM

3rd Sep 2014 13:39 UTCVincent Rigatti

Wow Roger! the crossed Elbaite and Lepidolite is fantastic

4th Sep 2014 22:51 UTCRoger Lang Manager

Just before bedtime ;-)

cheers

Roger

4th Sep 2014 23:00 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wow!!!! What more could I say about the last pictures?

Sceptre Quartz from Goldberg group in Carinthia:

Regards,

Rudolf

4th Sep 2014 23:04 UTCRoger Lang Manager

Glückauf Rudolf,

hard to catch all the features of alpine quartz in a pic (at least for me) ... congrats!

Kärnten ist immer gut :-)

Cheers

Roger

ok .. einen noch - one more

5th Sep 2014 02:28 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Danke, Roger!:)-D

Glück Auf,

Rudolf

5th Sep 2014 05:19 UTCVolkmar Stingl

Roger Lang Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Ok, Rudolf asked for more ;-) ....

>

> Cheers, Roger

Fantastic pictures, but some information would be nice, Roger.

Thanks for all the great pics.

Volkmar

5th Sep 2014 07:27 UTCWayne Corwin

Volkmar

All the info is there if you click on the photos. ;-)

6th Sep 2014 20:52 UTCFrank Craig

Hey Rudolf - you asked for more! :-)

Anthophyllite

Denisovite

Denisovite

Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia

Tremolite

Tremolite

North Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut, USA

Inesite

Inesite

N'Chwaning I Mine, N'Chwaning Mines, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa

Foshagite

Foshagite

Crestmore quarries, Crestmore, Jurupa Valley, Riverside County, California, USA

I almost got this figured out - thanks for the assistance!

Regards

Frank

9th Sep 2014 22:13 UTCRoger Lang Manager

One or two before bedtime :-)

cheers,

Roger

Fluorite, etc.

Mahodari quarry, Sinnar, Nashik District, Nashik Division, Maharashtra, India

14th Sep 2014 15:33 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Congratulations, Roger!:)-D

Here is one from the Austrian alps:

16th Sep 2014 06:45 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Fluorite on Quartz Inner Mongolia China

7.0 x 7.4 cm

Backside

14th Oct 2014 23:11 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Phantastic!!!

I hope and pray that there are still some who dare to post pictures after these gorgeous photos of AM. :-S

Regards,

Rudolf

16th Oct 2014 02:00 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

I have taken some new pictures from Helmut Prasnik's collection.

This one is definitely one of my favorites: Hemimorphite on a 5cm measuring Wulfenite crystal.

Regards,

Rudolf

22nd Oct 2014 20:05 UTCVítězslav Snášel Expert

Agate

loc. Morcínov, Liberec Region, Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen), Czech Republic

22nd Oct 2014 22:12 UTCZbynek Burival Expert

Gemmy smoky quartz with pink fluorite, Mt. Blanc Massif, France. Self collected ;) Unfortunately dunno why the image gets little blurry after upload?

23rd Oct 2014 19:27 UTCAccount Closed

Just 1 cm ;) or more

http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/newmacro/newmacro402.jpg
http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/newmacro/newmacro321.jpg
http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/newmacro/newmacro292.jpg
http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/newmacro/newmacro397.jpg
http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/newmacro/newmacro408.jpg
http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/newmacro/newmacro393.jpg
http://www.alpinismeetmineraux.fr/mineralogie/macro/newmacro/newmacro400.jpg

23rd Oct 2014 20:43 UTCRonald J. Pellar Expert

When photos are uploaded and are not the correct size for display purposes, Mindat uses an interpolation algorithm to resize them. There are many of these algorithms that are designed for different purposes and some of them will cause a slight blurring. In general, good results are obtained with a "nearest neighbor" algorithm for sharpness issues. Some people resize their photos so that Mindat does not have to resize them and they will get better results.

1st Nov 2014 21:34 UTCVítězslav Snášel Expert

Light and Czech agate ;-)

Agate, Morcinov, Czech republic

2nd Nov 2014 10:52 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Ronald,

thanks a lot for your helpful explanation!

2nd Nov 2014 16:26 UTCAccount Closed

:) titanite

10th Nov 2014 04:53 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

:) Brookite

14th Nov 2014 22:04 UTCJelmer Hylke Hoeksma

Lately I am reviving my hobby of making pictures of my minerals and not only buying more of them. :-)

Last week was the yearly show at Liege, Belgium. Nice show with a lot of good stuff for decent prices.

Among others I picked up a topaz from Itinga, Brazil. Two shades of blue and with typical etching for this location.

Measures 4 by 3 by 3 centimeter.

The first picture has a black, reflective background.

The second picture is taken with a metallic, reflective background which always leads to creative colour effects.

5th Dec 2014 08:36 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Hemimorphite with tiny balls of malachite. 5.7 x 5.2 cm. Qaleh-Zari Mine, Iran

Larger Version Here

5th Dec 2014 12:35 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Absolutely gorgeous, AM!!(tu)

Another top photograph for the 'Best Minerals' section!

Thank you!

Regards,

Rudolf

6th Dec 2014 00:21 UTCStephen Rose Expert

This little plate of azurite on malachite is from Bisbee, Arizona and measures about 12 x 8 cm. Photo, with questionable focus, taken through display case glass at the W.M. Keck Museum at the University of Nevada, Reno. I have to say that following AM at any time is problematical, and after that wonderful photo of hemimorphite with malachite it seems more so. :-)

6th Dec 2014 13:28 UTCPaul De Bondt Manager

Hi all,

Stephen, you are right about AM's pictures. I think nobody can get close to him in his pictures AND specimens.

On another topic on Mindat he is doing well too.

You probably noticed that another topic about " high end specimens " is going on for the moment. See here : http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,6,341350,341479#msg-341479

AM, every specimen you show is in my eyes a high end specimen combined with a high end picture.

Keep on the good work and thank you very much for sharing them with us.

May I encourrage you to write a little article on Mindat with title " how do they do it ".

Take care and best regards.

Paul.

7th Dec 2014 03:00 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Thanks Paul.

Here's another from Iran. Wulfenite with quartz and other minerals. 3.2 x 2.7 cm.

16th Dec 2014 21:19 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Carlsbad twin from the Lower Austrian part of the bohemian massif.

17th Dec 2014 00:28 UTCDennis McCoy

Fluorite from the Elmwood Mine, TN.

17th Dec 2014 02:57 UTCBob Harman

DENNIS, Nice specimen, but are you absolutely positively sure that is from Tennessee? It looks more like an Illinois - Kentucky fluorite district specimen. CHEERS…..BOB

17th Dec 2014 16:15 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

:) Carlsbad twin:)-D

17th Dec 2014 16:53 UTCDennis McCoy

BOB HARMAN Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> DENNIS, Nice specimen, but are you absolutely

> positively sure that is from Tennessee? It looks

> more like an Illinois - Kentucky fluorite district

> specimen. CHEERS…..BOB

No Bob, I'm not positive. This is a purchase from an estate. Some of the labels were confused or missing.

17th Dec 2014 18:20 UTCBob Harman

DENNIS I really think it more likely that your fluorite specimen is from the Minerva, Annabelle Lee, or Denton mines in the Illinois - Kentucky fluorite district rather than the Elmwood mining district in Tennessee. But let's see what others think.

I suggest putting your pix into the identification/locality thread and asking others their opinions. CHEERS……..BOB

17th Dec 2014 19:09 UTCDennis McCoy

Done.

18th Dec 2014 03:33 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Thanks Rudolf!

I still have one: Almandine from the Windeckberg, Wachau area in Lower Austria. 1 cm diameter.

18th Dec 2014 05:38 UTCGerhard Brandstetter Expert

Tourmaline Var. Schorl/Dravite - 24 mm

Kaiserer Quarry, Rauris, Salzburg, Austria

:)-D Just my 50 cents for this "Austrian week"..... Great photography all! From the past few photos i think i prefer the cute Carlsbad twin. :-)

Best regards, Gerhard

19th Dec 2014 04:29 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Gerhard, delicate tourmaline and well done photography!

Continuing the "Austrian week": ;-)

Quartz from Nöchling, Lower Austria.

20th Dec 2014 01:11 UTCStephen Rose Expert

This specimen of nicceline is somewhat crude but is of an unusually large partial crystal with additional, smaller crystals on the back. It is from Eisleben, Thuringia, Germany and measures 5x3.5x3.5 cm.

The first picture shows three faces of a large, hexagonal dipyramid while the two additional photos show more numerous, complete, conical crystal terminations up to about 1 cm across their base.

Cheers!

Steve

20th Dec 2014 18:53 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

That's a very good nickeline!!! Please upload the photos to our database.

20th Dec 2014 20:33 UTCStephen Rose Expert

Rob,

Thy will be done! Along with about 30 other picts I have been meaning to get into the DB.

Cheers!

Steve

20th Dec 2014 20:48 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Stephen, thanks so much!

20th Dec 2014 23:05 UTCRoger Lang Manager

Hi all ...

adding one more since some time now - a new acquisition which i particularly like!

Fluorite, Dalnegorsk, Russia, 7.2 x 6.5 x 5 cm.

Cheers

Roger

21st Dec 2014 01:41 UTCturtledove thrushe

Nice colourless Fluorite Roger. I like the Dalnegorsk material. What kind of magnification was used to present this specimen?

26th Dec 2014 01:22 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Roger - Terrific fluorite. Always like the water clear specimens.

Axinite (Mg) Merelani. 7.2 x 5.0 x .84 cm

26th Dec 2014 11:49 UTCRoger Lang Manager

Vitaly,

equipment was a CANON 6D, ISO 800, f 11, 1/40th, Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD MACRO. LED lighting (5500 K). No stacking etc.

BTW the specimen has a repair (but not detracting IMHO).

Cheers and happy holidays!

Roger

To keep the pictures coming (f 14, 0.5 sec., ISO 640):

Beryl (var. Greenkop), Erongo, Namibia. 5.3 x 3.3 x 2.7 cm.

31st Dec 2014 02:33 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz. Pakistan. 12.7 x 10.9 cm.

3rd Jan 2015 21:25 UTCAccount Closed

http://www.mindat.org/photos/0124444001420320186.jpg

6th Jan 2015 21:29 UTCHenri Koskinen Expert

7th Jan 2015 02:36 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Henri, I like your photos of ice - like white insects.

1st Feb 2015 21:28 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Not really a perfect specimen, but I like it, because it shows the rare shape of a flat scalenohedron.

5th Feb 2015 21:35 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Cerussite on matrix. 5.8 x 3.6 cm. Tsumeb.

13th Mar 2015 20:18 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

You need to be brave to post a photo after AM.

Cheers,

Rudolf

13th Mar 2015 21:45 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

It is certainly not an issue for you Rudolf. Your pictures are excellent too. And when it is wulfenite ...

14th Mar 2015 05:37 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

You have nothing to fear Rudolf. Your photographs and specimens are always excellent..

15th Mar 2015 16:41 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Thank you very much, Antoine and AM!;-)

Regards,

Rudolf

15th Mar 2015 22:42 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Ok, I want to support Rudolf and I show here a small specimen from Rudolf's homeland.

17th Mar 2015 03:36 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Barite. 5.2 x 3.8 cm.

24th Mar 2015 19:27 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Great photo, Martin! (tu)

Another specimen from my homeland, in this case my home village:

24th Mar 2015 23:18 UTCMartin Rich Expert

It is always a pleasure to see Rudolf's photographs and (wulfenite) specimens. :)-D

25th Mar 2015 04:55 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Fluorite with Calcite. 11.0 x 11.0 x 4.5 cm.

Fluorite, etc.

Xianghuapu Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hunan, China

25th Mar 2015 06:17 UTCVolkmar Stingl

A nice golden calcite from Dachang, Nandan Co., Hechi Pref., Guangxi Zhuang Autonom. Province, China. Crystal size 5 cm.

25th Mar 2015 13:33 UTCBob Harman

BARITE on QUARTZ. The largest crystal is 2.5 cm and double terminated. Monroe County, Indiana. CHEERS……BOB

25th Mar 2015 16:09 UTCRolf Luetcke Expert

This is one we got several years ago and is one of my favorite combination pieces with the elongated wulfenite on the green mimetite with a bit of white calcite thrown in for contrast.

Love the thread and all the great specimens in peoples collections.

28th Mar 2015 01:28 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Fluorite with arsenopyrite. 9.3 x 6.1 cm

28th Apr 2015 00:11 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

One of my favourite selfcollected specimens:

6th May 2015 11:25 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Fluorite. 14.3 x 7.0 cm

Fluorite

La Viesca Mine, Huergo, La Collada mining area, Siero, Asturias, Spain

20th May 2015 03:20 UTCKurt Story

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/17733973896_f2d06ecf79_c.jpg[/img]
Cinnabar-- Fenghuang Co., Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China

Dimensions: 21 mm x 20 mm x 25 mm

Crystal Size: 12 mm

27th May 2015 01:08 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz. 14.8 x 11.0 cm

31st May 2015 20:38 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wow!!!!! Thank you all for the wonderful pictures! (tu)

Wulfenite from Iran:

Cheers,

Rudolf

1st Jun 2015 21:51 UTCDennis McCoy

Kurt, I love the back-lighting on that Cinnabar on calcite!

2nd Jun 2015 11:13 UTCJay I. G. Roland

This would have been one of my favourite images were it not for the two bits of fluff spoiling it. 52 image stack of goethite from Wheal Drea, St. Just in Penwith, Cornwall. I have a can of compressed air for blowing out specimens afore imaging, I just need to use it more often :-S

2nd Jun 2015 18:20 UTCOwen Melfyn Lewis

De-fluffed with Adobe Elements software ;-)

3rd Jun 2015 15:33 UTCJay I. G. Roland

Well done there Owen.....so many strings to your bow :)-D

I gave up on the idea of purchasing Elements after getting absolutely nowhere with a very basic 'photo manipulation program. Spent almost a whole day on the damned thing and all I could manage in the end was to create text on an image!

As I said, I must use the air spray before each and every image taking session so it becomes part of the routine.....so many images have been 'binned' due to unwanted 'pubes' and 'bogies' spoiling the shot ;-)

Regards,

Jay.

14th Jun 2015 02:48 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz included with chlorite. 8.9 x 3.9 cm.

14th Jun 2015 09:09 UTCJolyon Ralph Founder

Owen fixed the image but accidentally resized it down. Here's the original image fixed again using Photoshop CC

14th Jun 2015 10:25 UTCOwen Melfyn Lewis

Thanks for pointing that out. Can't imagine how it occurred - but definitely at my end :-(

Found it - and definitely not at my end :-)

Grabbing the image from the forum results in it being transmitted by Mindat as marginally less that VGA standard (640x480 pixel). My small manipulation was of the .jpg file as sent from Mindat - a fraction of the standard of the standard of Jay's image on the forum (itself subject to the 1Mb limit on photo file sizes for publication on the forum.

Accordingly, the file I uploaded back to the forum was the same quality as that made available by Mindat ;-)

14th Jun 2015 15:04 UTCMatt Courville

Fantastic work! I especially appreciate the AM Mizunaka quartz from Pakistan a little back in this this post. I've found that some quartz are of the most difficult to get a nice image due to the way that light tends to pass through or reflect off of them. Hope to see more on this post, and I will throw-in a curve ball with some SW/LW UV light photo requests;)

17th Aug 2015 15:15 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Quartz (Citrine) from Kleine Fleiß valley in Carinthia:

17th Aug 2015 19:53 UTCMilan Lidmera

Hi Jay, your goethite is very nice, I send one of mine from Amerzgane, Ouarzazate prov. Morocco, the goethite "sun" is about 4 cm accros.

Milan

30th Aug 2015 21:42 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Time for a new post.

I love Austrian wulfenites. The following image is not perfect, because it is nearly impossible to show the perfect luster of these wulfenites. Anyway, I like it.

BTW Rudolf, exellent image of the quartz group. :)-D

3rd Sep 2015 14:17 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Danke, Martin!:-)

Congratulations for your photo and the wonderful Wulfi!!!!!

Rudolf

16th Sep 2015 03:31 UTCGreen Eyed Lady

Very nicely done photography :)-D I am still working on my photography skills

16th Sep 2015 04:18 UTCDoug Daniels

I'd say you're well on your way.....great photo.

16th Sep 2015 08:48 UTCWayne Corwin

Green Eyed Lady

Good photo, but you need to always add, what it is & where it comes from info :-S

3rd Oct 2015 21:52 UTCAccount Closed

4th Oct 2015 00:33 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wow!!!!

4th Oct 2015 00:38 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

4th Oct 2015 01:39 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Glassy quartz cluster. 8.6 x 5.9 cm.

4th Oct 2015 07:28 UTCAccount Closed

24th Oct 2015 20:20 UTCAccount Closed

Small or big i take all minerals :)

24th Oct 2015 23:24 UTCRolf Luetcke Expert

This one has an interesting self collected story. It comes from an 1880's railroad bed near Fairbank Arizona, where old overburden from the early Bisbee mines was used to build the rail bed. The material came from near the old Holbrook Mine area of Bisbee. Not bad for lying in the ground for about 125 years.

2nd Nov 2015 07:40 UTCAccount Closed

Munich show 2015.... With true colors :)

7th Nov 2015 17:02 UTCAccount Closed

18th Nov 2015 19:03 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Perchased at the Munich Show: Fluorite and Hematite from Yaogangxian Mine

9

21st Nov 2015 10:20 UTCAccount Closed

24th Nov 2015 00:25 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Rhodochrosite after calcite with arsenopyrite, boulangerite, quartz, and calcite. 9.0 x 8.5 cm.

24th Nov 2015 14:50 UTCMatt Courville

Love the last few colorful mineral photos.(tu) The Fluorite and the last Rhodochrosite are stunning!

3rd Feb 2016 20:05 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

A specimen which is not really colourful: Smithsonite on Cerussite and Galena from Bad Bleiberg.

3rd Feb 2016 21:03 UTCBob Harman

MILLERITE and CALCITE on QUARTZ (var CHALCEDONY). Self collected in 2007, Monroe County Indiana. The specimen measures 6.5 cm x 6.5 cm with some of the millerite filaments measuring nearly 5 cm in length. This example, destined to go on permanent display at the Indiana State Museum, is considered the finest millerite example found in Indiana in over 50 years. CHEERS.......BOB

3rd Feb 2016 21:18 UTCMichael Wood

Well collected Bob! What a wonderful millerite specimen! (tu)

3rd Feb 2016 23:43 UTCJason Evans

I think this is one of my best, photo could be better but i think it looks lovely!

Roselite

Aghbar mine, Bou Azer, Ouarzazate Province, Morocco.

2.9 x 2.6 x 1.7 cm

5th Feb 2016 05:54 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Thankfully, this thread is not dead!

I want to show two specimens from the Austrian Alps:

Adularia on pericline, scattered with chlorite. 6 x 6.5 cm.

Epidote, etc.

Knappenwand, Knappenwand area, Neukirchen am Großvenediger, Zell am See District, Salzburg, Austria

Epidote with byssolithe from the famous Knappenwand. 6 x 2.5 cm.

Not perfect photographs, but I like it.

5th Feb 2016 12:08 UTCLarry Maltby Expert

Copper in calcite, an old timer from he Keweenaw

5th Feb 2016 13:09 UTCMatt Courville

Martin your photos are great and the epidote is very interesting. Larry, I never though calcite could look so busy and fascinating-thanks for posting:)-D Matt

12th Feb 2016 15:19 UTCBob Harman

A large segment of a very large Indiana geode from Monroe county. The geode was rather ordinary with quartz and calcite, but one area showed a 2.5cm x 3.0cm grouping of small quartz crystals growing in an aesthetically pleasing free form. Unusual for Indiana geodes. CHEERS.....BOB

14th Feb 2016 00:21 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Calcite, Adularia, Hematite from Teufelskamp, Großglockner, 25cm high:

15th Feb 2016 20:22 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Cranberry red fluorapatite on albite. 6.3 x 4.8 cm.

4th Apr 2016 14:06 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Trying to vitalise this thread with a picture of a Smoky Quartz from Tiefenglacier:

4th Apr 2016 21:13 UTCStephen Rose Expert

That lovely quartz certainly perks me up, Rudolf! This fluorite cluster is from an Unnamed Fluorite occurrence in the Buena Vista District, Esmeralda Co., Nevada, USA. It measures 7x9 cm with crystals up to about 2 cm.

Cheers!

Steve

4th Apr 2016 21:58 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Great image and specimen, Steve! :)-D

Regards,

Rudolf

5th Apr 2016 02:16 UTCRolf Luetcke Expert

This is a Bisbee Azurite we got at the Tucson show a couple of years ago. The interesting part was that it was purchased at a German dealers room. It had been over in Germany and we bought it. It was an old piece and since we live not too far from Bisbee, my wife took it along on a trip to Bisbee to visit our friend who runs the Bisbee mine tour. Mary's reason for taking it along was to complete the mineral specimens journey full circle coming from the Copper Queen at one time and now going back home again, at least for a visit.

The wonderful thing was turning the piece over and seeing the wonderful malachite on the opposite side.

Love seeing all the great minerals specimens people show on this thread.

Rolf Luecke

6th Apr 2016 01:44 UTCMartin Rich Expert

There is life in the old dog yet! Congratulation to all for the exellent photos. :)-D

Two photos from me, which I think these are one of my favourites:

Epidote, etc.

Dashkesan Co-Fe deposit, Dashkasan, Dashkasan District, Azerbaijan

6th Apr 2016 11:48 UTCUlrich Ratlos

A big one from Fedenstock, Uri, Switzerland, smoky quartz with some chlorite.

10th Apr 2016 01:14 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

A wonderful Rock Crystal in Manfred Döpper's collection:

Rock Crystal, etc.

Dösenbach valley, Mallnitz, Spittal an der Drau District, Carinthia, Austria

Regards,

Rudolf

11th May 2016 05:56 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Rudolf, you are a master of photographing quartz!

One of my favourite mineral is calcite. Here a aesthetic specimen out of the collection of Oliver Konzcer:

11th May 2016 06:25 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Strontianite crystals on matrix. 6.3 x 3.8 cm.

11th May 2016 06:44 UTCBootboot

I love this rhodenite. No clue where it's from, although some on here guessed Peru. It's been in my collection for at least a decade.

14th May 2016 07:26 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Phantastic calcite photo, Martin!:)-D

12th Aug 2016 21:02 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Lazulite ... One of the reasons I consider adding a "phosphates, arsenates, vanadates" category to my collection. The nice photo is by Ray McDougall.

13th Aug 2016 09:47 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Adamite would be another reason ...

2nd Sep 2016 20:22 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Citrine from Carinthia:

6th Sep 2016 05:48 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Fluorite with frosted faces.

6th Sep 2016 14:21 UTCMatt Courville

Great photos lately Martin and Antoine. Rudolf you are simply a master with the quartz(tu):)-D

7th Sep 2016 05:38 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Thanks Matt!

Sometimes it is not easy to get a good photo - more luck than competence.

30th Sep 2016 23:17 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Very nice compliment, Matt! Thank you!

regards,

Rudolf

3rd Oct 2016 00:51 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz with ankerite and pyrite. 8.5 x 7.6 cm

17th Dec 2016 21:27 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Once more a Wulfenite from my home village Bad Bleiberg:

A very merry Christmas to all of you!

18th Dec 2016 06:56 UTCVolkmar Stingl

A nice small fluorite on quartz from Baimashan tunnel construction site, Qianbaxia, Nanping pref., Fujian prov., PR China. Self collected in 2011.

10 x 6 x 6 cm.

30th Dec 2016 13:21 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I truly love these Bad Bleiberg wulfenites ... Too bad I have never seen any at shows. Here is one from the Rowley Mine.

31st Dec 2016 09:03 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Hi Antoine,

The crystals of your Rowley Mine Wulfenite are quite similar to Bad Bleiberg Wulfenites from the 13th level of Mine Stefanie.

31st Dec 2016 11:40 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I'll just change my label then :)-D

7th Jan 2017 19:25 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I had a Jeff Scovil close-up photograph of this specimen (see the child photo), so I had to do my very best to make a decent full-view picture :)

15th Jan 2017 20:14 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Great specimen and photo, Antoine! (tu)

21st Jan 2017 04:48 UTCRuggy Holloway 🌟

Stibnite

Ichinokawa mine, Japan

16.5 x 10.0 x 7.0 cm

21st Jan 2017 05:27 UTCJessica Guichard (2)

I am not a very good photographer, limited funds and a crappy camera, but this one came out ok. It's fluorite with chalcopyrite. I don't know the local for it, I lost most of my info cards for my minerals when I moved a few years back. It's about 2.5 inches long.

21st Jan 2017 20:55 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Thanks Rudolf. Here is one attempt to photograph a glassy quartz crystal from Nepal.

22nd Jan 2017 03:14 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz with pyrite. 19.5 x 9.6 cm.

24th Jan 2017 18:45 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Calcite from Bad Bleiberg. 10 x 10 x 7cm

27th Jan 2017 00:04 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Thanks Rudolf! :)-D

27th Jan 2017 06:45 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Martin, I thought you might like it.:-)

27th Jan 2017 09:21 UTCDale Foster Manager

Siderite on Chlacedony from Penlee Quarry. Field of view is 45 mm.

Cassiterite

Creegbrawse and Penkevil Mine, Creegbrawse, Chacewater, Cornwall, England, UK

Cassiterite veinlets in a partly decomposed clay-slate matrix. Specimen is 45 mm long.

29th Jan 2017 02:29 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Gwindel from Switzerlad, 6.8 cm width.

30th Jan 2017 20:29 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I must confess that I love this one.

31st Jan 2017 00:58 UTCMartin Rich Expert

I love it too. A perfect photo of a perfect crystal!

Martin

2nd Feb 2017 20:33 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Spiky quartz cluster. 10.8 x 9.6 cm.

6th Feb 2017 10:21 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Thanks for your kind comment Martin :)

12th Feb 2017 11:23 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

An arsenate jewel.

13th Feb 2017 00:47 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Classic amethyst "pineapple" cluster. 14.0 x 16.0 cm.

27th Feb 2017 12:53 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

This azurite has the nicest blue color in my whole collection.

27th Feb 2017 14:20 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

Here's a calcite/galena combo from West Fork Mine, Reynolds County, Missouri measuring 27.5 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm.

7th Mar 2017 21:14 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Phantom Quartz from Datas:

8th Mar 2017 07:40 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Calcite on quartz. 8.6 x 5.8 cm

10th Mar 2017 00:24 UTCIsobel Wolfson

To those wulfenite photographers out there, can you give a novice some tips? I have a 4.5cm x 3.5cm specimen bought from Hummingbird Minerals of brown-orange, intergrown wulfenite crystals (with some calcite) from Mexico. I've been playing around with diffusion filters and various lights and reflectors (both matte and shiny) to properly illuminate it and have trouble getting specific crystal faces lit without getting burn-outs or flares in other faces or getting others in shadows. I've pretty much decreased the overall brightness and increased the shutter speed. Thanks in advance.

12th Mar 2017 11:19 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I would be interested in reading answers to your questions Isobel, because I often encounter the same problems as yours. It is just by trying and trying again that I can (partly) solve them.

Anyway, here is a Touissit azurite with nice transparency.

12th Mar 2017 17:40 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Hello Isobel and Antoine,

I am only an amateur so I also cannot really tell you something that might solve all our problems. Just as you both said it is a matter of trying and trying to light the numerous faces of Wulfenite specimens. Sometimes I use up to eight lamps in different positions. I also use different diffusion filters to take out the burn outs. But all these efforts do not guarantee a really satisfying result. It always is a kind of challenge for me that does make photographing very interesting.

Regards,

Rudolf

Wulfenite from Ahmad Abad Mine:

21st Mar 2017 04:27 UTCMartin Rich Expert

"......But all these efforts do not guarantee a really satisfying result......."

My words, Rudolf. Sometimes it looks to my eyes different than to the sensor of my camera. Before I'm getting crazy, I'm trying some different.

Martin

28th Mar 2017 06:32 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Azurite on matrix. 5.7 x 5.0 cm

9th May 2017 20:21 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Strontianite from Bad Bleiberg, 9 x 8 cm

13th Aug 2017 15:12 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I finally found some time to photograph my Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines purchases. Here is the first one ...

17th Aug 2017 19:29 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

And a second one, that I really like :)

19th Aug 2017 02:51 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

I suppose it’s about time I threw my hat in the ring...

One of my most favorite uglies: Birnessite replacing Serandite & Rhodochrosite with Natrolite, Calcite, Pectolite and Willemite. 14 x 7.5 x 5.9 cm.

Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

20th Aug 2017 13:14 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Welcome here, Russell !

Another Tsumeb azurite, with a bit of history.

Label from the mineral dealership of the Freiberg Mining Academy

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

8th Sep 2017 13:16 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wonderful pic of a wonderful Azurite, Antoine!

Another pic of my favourite Calcite from Bad Bleiberg for you, Martin:

10th Sep 2017 19:35 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Thanks Rudolf !

Let's go for another carbonate ...

17th Sep 2017 02:31 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Sorry Rudolf, I overlooked your post.

Indeed an exeptional calcite crystal. Thanks for showing it again. In the last weeks, I had no time for making mineral photos. So I'm showing an "old" one: Calcite from the "sister lead deposit" Mezica, 11 x 7 cm tall.

21st Sep 2017 05:03 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz included with pyrite. 7.3 x 6.3 cm.

Quartz, etc.

Potosí Mine, Francisco Portillo, West Camp, Santa Eulalia Mining District, Aquiles Serdán Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico

21st Oct 2017 16:35 UTCAlexander Ringel

My best mineral photo is this one of my carnelian from Madagascar.

24th Nov 2017 09:34 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wonderful photo, Alexander!!!

25th Nov 2017 04:00 UTCJon Aurich

This specimen has many rare Sulphides and Native Gold. The High Grade Epithermal Gold Specimen contains Famatinite, Milltown Andesite, Dacite, Goldfieldite, Bismuthinite and Alunite. Also contains Quartz, Cryptocrystalline Quartz and Native Gold.

25th Nov 2017 10:07 UTCLuís Martins 🌟

Very interesting John. Where is it from?

25th Nov 2017 16:09 UTCJon Aurich

Thank you Luis, the specimen is from the Rustler #2 Mine at Goldfield Nevada. USA.

2nd Dec 2017 02:00 UTCMartin Rich Expert

My new wulfi!

3rd Dec 2017 07:23 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

Going through some old photos, I came across this one...

4th Dec 2017 03:07 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Excellent photo Russ!

7th Dec 2017 00:53 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

Martin,

Thanks. That one was pure luck. I shot it back in 2004 when I barely knew how to work a camera.

30th Dec 2017 23:37 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Martin, I cannot stop admiring your new Wulfenite pic. - brillant!!

Congratulations also to Russ for his outstanding photo

Here is my new fluo from Fujian province:

31st Dec 2017 01:39 UTCJon Aurich

Goldfield Nevada. These rare specimens are exceedingly rich Epithermal Gold Ore. From the Rustler #2 Mine, Goldfield Nevada.

31st Dec 2017 05:15 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Jon, very interesting how the gold is grown around the matrix.

Thanks Rudolf!

Very nice fluorite, exellent quality (to be contrary to a lot of other technical stuff from China :)) and exellent photo.

I'm sure you are remember about the wulfi. We spoke about this specime in Munich on the booth of Robert & Oliver.

Here my next from Bleiberg:

A specimen from the Brennacher collection (sorry Rudolf, I could not resist!).

31st Dec 2017 05:37 UTCJon Aurich

Thank you Martin..... When you look at the specimens under magnification, they are something to behold !!

6th Jan 2018 13:02 UTCJon Aurich

. Goldfield Nevada. From the famous Rustler #2 Mine. This rare High Grade Epithermal Gold Specimen contains Bismuthinite, Quartz, Alunite, Cryptocrystalline Quartz, Famatinite and Native Gold.

9th Jan 2018 11:29 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Martin, I also would not have resisted!

Here is a new photo of an old Carinthian 'masterpiece' with crystals up to 4 cm:

9th Jan 2018 15:30 UTCJon Aurich

Goldfield Nevada. Rare. Bonanza Ore. High Grade Epithermal Gold Specimen. From the famous Rustler #2 Mine. 1 3/8” X 1 1/4”.

10th Jan 2018 03:25 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Jon, very interessting specimens! Unfortunately we can't find such rich gold specimen here in Austria.

Rudolf what a colour of the titanite!

Continuing the Carinthian week: a typical rock crystal from Auernig.

10th Jan 2018 03:37 UTCJon Aurich

Thank you Martin !! This Epithermal High Grade Gold is really rare.

24th Jan 2018 03:46 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Rhodochrosite with quartz. 6.5 x 2.5 cm.

24th Jan 2018 04:49 UTCJon Aurich

. Bonanza Gold Specimen. From the famous Rustler #2 Mine, Goldfield Nevada. High Acid Sulphide Gold Ore. 1 1/4” x 1” x 1 1/8”.

28th Jan 2018 16:27 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

In the process of taking better pictures of specimens that I had already photographed ... Mimetite from the recently redefined Thai locality.

Mimetite

Guatomo Mine, Tham Thalu, Bannang Sata District, Yala Province, Thailand

28th Jan 2018 19:57 UTCJim Poteete

Here is a shot of my Freiberg piece. 6.5 cm tall. Not nearly as colorful as the many posts above, but good form. My buddy Ben Decamp shot this as I am a boob with a camera.

1st Feb 2018 19:30 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

That is an excellent photo of a very elegant silver, Jim.

Several wulfenites have already been shown in this topic, but not from Touissit. Here is one.

1st Feb 2018 23:06 UTCJon Aurich

. Horn Silver Nevada, (currently called Gold Point). This Silver Specimen was found about a mile south of the Gold Point townsite. 1 1/2” x 1” x 1”.

2nd Feb 2018 01:30 UTCFrank Karasti 🌟 Expert

Jon, me like✅

2nd Feb 2018 02:20 UTCJon Aurich

Thank you Frank !!!!

8th Mar 2018 04:46 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

Nice Wulfenite Antoine... Always had a "thing" for Moroccan Wulfenite.

Here's one of my latest photos. 6 x 5 x 3 cm.

8th Mar 2018 05:29 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Twinned fluorite with siderite and quartz.

8th Mar 2018 05:55 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

Nice specimen and photography!

8th Mar 2018 06:35 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Kevin Conroy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Nice specimen and photography!

Thanks Kevin!

11th Mar 2018 00:47 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Fluorapatite with siderite on quartz.

30th Mar 2018 08:17 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

I love the way you were able to capture reflections of the Siderite in the faces of theFluorite crystals.

31st Mar 2018 00:00 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Russ Rizzo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I love the way you were able to capture

> reflections of the Siderite in the faces of

> theFluorite crystals.

Thanks Russ

1st Apr 2018 00:55 UTCStephen Rose Expert

I may have posted this previously, but it is 'The Season' so, maybe, it is appropriate. This topaz is from the finds at the Fazenda do Funil in Minas Gerais that were made in the late 1930's and early 1940's. See M.R. Vol. 11, No. 6, "Interview: Allan Caplan." 12.5" X 8.5" X 4". 27 pounds. The Easter table is at my mother's home in Georgetown, Maine in 1987.

3rd Apr 2018 20:57 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

A very well-formed cuprian adamite crystal. I purchased this piece years ago. I cannot remember how much I paid, but it was probably a bargain if I could buy it as a teenager.

18th Apr 2018 08:58 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz with inclusions of humboldtine. 16.5 x 14.0 cm.

18th Apr 2018 09:16 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

Nice specimen... I love the crenellated terminations on the larger crystals. And the detail of your photograph is sublime.

Russ Rizzo

18th Apr 2018 18:56 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Russ Rizzo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Nice specimen... I love the crenellated

> terminations on the larger crystals. And the

> detail of your photograph is sublime.

>

> Russ Rizzo

Thanks Russ

19th Apr 2018 01:34 UTCJon Aurich

. Goldfield Nevada. Another nice specimen from the famous district of Goldfield. The specimen contains Dacite, Bismuthinite, Quartz, Alunite, Cryptocrystalline Quartz, Famatinite and Native Gold. 1 1/8” x 1” x 1 1/8”..

19th Apr 2018 04:56 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

Here's one that used to live in my collection...

Looking at it reminds me of the bayou at night.

20th Apr 2018 05:11 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Rhodochrosite on quartz and tetrahedrite with chalcopyrite.

30th Apr 2018 18:54 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Another Moroccan wulfenite, this time from Mibladen.

7th May 2018 16:05 UTCNick Gilly

A bit blurry, but here's a photo of a ruby specimen backlit by sunlight, with no enhancements. It really glows:

I suspect it's from Jegdalek, Afghanistan.

4th Jun 2018 21:55 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Very sharp edged pyrite octahedrons from an old alpine find in the Ankogel area:

5th Jun 2018 02:26 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Great specimen Rudolf!

I have a pyrite in shape of pyritohedron (more or less) from this area and it seems octahedrons are not so common from there.

18th Jun 2018 21:45 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Thanks, Martin!

Titanite from Brazil:

13th Jul 2018 12:28 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

One of my latest efforts...

Smoky Quartz on Albite var. Cleavelandite

Little Three Mine, Ramona, Ramona District, San Diego Co., California, USA

Ex. John Sinkakas collection # QS6

14th Jul 2018 06:21 UTCJon Aurich

Goldfield Nevada. This High Grade Epithermal Gold Specimen is from the famous Rustler #2 and Florence Mines. The specimen contains Alunite, Quartz, Bismuthinite, Cryptocrystalline Quartz, Famatinite, Dacite and Native Gold. 1” x 7/8” x 1/4”.

13th Aug 2018 15:12 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wulfenite, Bleiberg, xx up to 4 cm

14th Aug 2018 20:00 UTCJon Aurich

Goldfield Nevada. This High Grade Gold Specimen is from the famous Rustler #2 and Florence Mines. Found on August 3rd, 2018. 3/8” x 3/4” x 1/4”. Contains Quartz, Bismuthinite, Dacite. Famatinite, Cryptocrystalline Quartz, Alunite and Native Gold.

14th Aug 2018 20:42 UTCJon Aurich

[attachment 76583 FBC37B3B-DD30-4F33-A90C-4EEC2C779E12.jpeg. Goldfield Nevada. This High Grade Epithermal Gold Specimen is from the famous Rustler #2 and Florence Mines. Contains Cryptocrystalline Quartz, Milltown Andesite, Bismuthinite, Alunite, Famatinite, Quartz and Native Gold. Found on August 9th, 2018. 3/4” x 1” x 3/8”......

14th Aug 2018 20:53 UTCNiels Brouwer

I'm sorry to criticise you in the light of the recent discussion about your gold specimens Jon, but I don't feel your photos fit all that well in this particular topic. It was started to showcase high quality photography of larger specimens; in other words, it's not necessarily the specimens themselves that are the stars of the show here, but rather the photographic techniques to accurately and aesthetically capture the beauty of minerals. Your photo is far too blurry and low-res to even make out any of the different minerals that are supposed to be present, let alone any detail in them. Besides it looks like you used software to edit the blue colour into the photo, but you accidentally applied it to certain areas of the specimen as well. I know it is a matter of personal taste, but I also feel the background is too bright and distracting.

Again, I don't mean to be too harsh, but I feel this topic should have a fairly high standard of quality - after all, that's what it was started for so that we can all admire the beautiful photography here on Mindat and learn from each other. For me, the photos of AM Mizunaka, Antoine Barthélemy and so many others inspired me to continuously experiment with the lighting, composition, image processing, sharpening and so many other aspects that combine to produce a mineral photo. I genuinely hope it will inspire you too, your gold specimens are of a quality that deserves so much better photos, so they will look just as exciting on our computer screens on the other side of the world as they do when you hold them in your hand over in Nevada.

14th Aug 2018 21:23 UTCJon Aurich

Hi Niels, you are right, the pictures are blurry when focused to. The photos weren’t enhanced, I just have the specimens in a blue bowl... The thread does say best pictures, so I will respect that, the other thread that you spoke of was a whirl wind of conversation, although I was supported by the founder of Mindat on what I was doing on the other thread. Anyway, have a good day, and I will probably look into something better to take Pictures rather than my camera phone...

14th Aug 2018 21:49 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

Jon,

A digital camera would be a huge improvement for you. Even a refurbished older one. All of the photos that I've posted on Mindat were taken with a 4.0 megapixel Canon G3 Powershot that I bought in 2003. I recently bought a refurbished one from amazon.com for $99 so that I would have a spare. Stay away from eBay when buying used cameras.

Russ

14th Aug 2018 21:50 UTCAndrew Debnam 🌟

Jon, you have found some great specimens. This post is for your favourite specimens and I would think your finds would most certainly be appreciated on it.

https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,6,241281,440466#msg-440466

In terms of your photos can you try a black background? I got some very useful advice on photographing reflective minerals on the following thread.

https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,440112,440275#msg-440275

14th Aug 2018 22:00 UTCJon Aurich

Andrew, I will take your advice and try the black background .... Thanks.......

14th Aug 2018 22:03 UTCJon Aurich

Thanks Russ !! I will try and look for one of those digital cameras. I know what to look for as far as minerals, but I am not so versed with cameras !!!!!

15th Aug 2018 02:06 UTCLarry Maltby Expert

Jon,

As you know, I love the beauty of your specimens. This is one of my favorite specimens that you have shown. I down loaded it and processed it with Photo Shop Elements. I use this software often and now this takes about five minutes to complete. I printed an 8 x 10 and plan to frame it.

Larry,

15th Aug 2018 02:27 UTCAndrew Debnam 🌟

Great job Larry

15th Aug 2018 02:43 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

Jon, this one's my favorite:

15th Aug 2018 02:50 UTCJon Aurich

Larry, you can do wonders !!! Very nice!! Looks as if you have the specimen yourself !!!!

15th Aug 2018 02:54 UTCJon Aurich

Keven, that is a great one !!! One of the few specimens that I have metal detected !!!! I found that Silver specimen just outside of Gold Point Nevada, the district was also called Hornsilver....

15th Aug 2018 02:54 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

Jon Aurich Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Thanks Russ !! I will try and look for one of

> those digital cameras. I know what to look for as

> far as minerals, but I am not so versed with

> cameras !!!!!

The newer low-mid price range,16, 20, whatever megapixel cameras do not impress me. The end product usually comes out looking like some of the lower quality cell phone pictures that you see posted here. I've bought and returned so many I can't count them all. Unless you are going to spend $1,000 plus for a camera & at least that much on lenses, a refurbished version of the one I mentioned is a good place to start.

I do recommend getting a tripod too.

You'll find that you will need to do some color, brightness/contrast correction & sharpening to your photos. There are websites out there where you can get older versions of PhotoShop at a deep discount. You just need to make sure whatever version you get is compatible with your computer's operating system.

That's about all the advice I have to offer. There are many other members that are much better photographers than I am. I'm sure that they have much advice and wisdom that they will be happy to share with you.

Russ

15th Aug 2018 03:00 UTCJon Aurich

. Larry , I would like to see what you can do to this great piece !!!!!

15th Aug 2018 03:08 UTCJon Aurich

Thank You Russ !! Larry did a fine job just tweaking the one photo around, better than what I could do !!

15th Aug 2018 17:17 UTCGreg Simmons

I'm just starting out photographing and cataloging my collection. I'm pretty happy with this one as a first attempt. I'm used to outdoor available light portrait and nature photography with little experience with indoor and macro photography. It is definitely a learning experience. So far the only modification I've made to any of my photos has been tweaking contrast a little. I welcome feedback.

https://www.mindat.org/photo-903436.html

15th Aug 2018 17:20 UTCGreg Simmons

PS.. I have not experimented with focus stacking yet. It's on my list but I want to be more comfortable with getting my lighting right first. I have two other images of that specimen located with that one.

15th Aug 2018 17:52 UTCMatt Courville

Great shots Greg! You chose a tough 1st mineral with the varied matrices and focus points. Personally I find that I need at least 2+ light sources and a few options on diffusing the light to make it work well for most minerals. Minerals on calcite always drives me nuts! Good luck

15th Aug 2018 18:03 UTCGreg Simmons

Thanks Matt,

For those shots I used a light box I made using white foam core and vellum. There is a top light and one on each side that are diffused through the vellum, plus I have a photo/video light at the front near the camera that is variable brightness. After taking a bunch photos I discovered that the best shots were ones where I eliminated one of the side lights. I appreciate you taking a look.

15th Aug 2018 18:31 UTCHiro Inukai

I've mentioned this in another thread, but if there is a single photographic technique that has made the biggest impact on my images, it would be focus stacking. Over all else, it has made a huge difference, especially when magnification exceeds 1:1. It's tedious to do, and it creates a huge amount of source data, but the results are undeniably superior to single shots of my micromounts and thumbnails. It has really helped me to convey the beauty of these tiny specimens--when my friends see the photos, they marvel at the color and fine structure of these minerals, and then are even more amazed when I show them that it all came from some tiny, unremarkable-looking rock. That's why I love to photograph micros, because they are like treasures whose secrets are revealed only if you look closely enough.

But since this is a thread about bigger specimens...who cares about focus stacking! LOL

Just kidding. Here's a photo where I used focus stacking to good effect. Otherwise, it would not have been possible to get all of the crocoite crystals in focus. Locality is the Dundas mine, Tasmania, Australia. Specimen is approximately 6 cm in the longest dimension, and it's one of my favorite miniatures for the clean and aesthetic crystal formation.

15th Aug 2018 18:50 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

Since this is a larger specimen, if you don't want to photo stack you can experiment with depth of field. The larger the f-stop the greater the depth of field. However, this also effects the amount of light entering the camera, as well as the overall sharpness of the photo. Play with it and see if the results are to your liking.

15th Aug 2018 19:06 UTCGreg Simmons

Thanks Hiro and Kevin,

I do think that photo stacking will come into play when I photograph closer in to highlight details. I'm definitely working on my depth of field and then zooming in digitally to best frame the specimen. Here is another calcite I did.

https://www.mindat.org/photo-903441.html

I'm not 100% happy with the images. I think on the one that shows the whole piece I should have increased the f-stop and maybe would have gotten better depth of focus. (I should have dusted off the black surface in front of it too. LOL #rookiemistake )The other two images are just digital zooms of the first one. They are ok but I would like to have had better detail that showed the crystal tufts more vividly.

NOTE: I'm using 27mm-135mm lens so not a true macro lens.

15th Aug 2018 20:20 UTCHiro Inukai

Hi Greg,

That's a good photo of the calcite specimen. I can also see that you are aware of the ways in which you could improve on the image.

With respect to achieving a sufficient depth of field, stopping down can only achieve so much, especially when the subject magnification is high; moreover, the effects of diffraction at very small numeric apertures (i.e., high effective f-number) robs the image of sharpness even in the plane of sharpest focus--hence the need for focus stacking. Also, a small aperture lets in less light and requires compensating by either increasing subject illumination, exposure duration, or sensor gain (ISO).

My rule of thumb is that between 1:2 and 1:1, f/8 - f/11 is the maximum tolerable f-number; up to 2:1, f/5.6 - f/6.3; up to 3:1, f/5; and up to 5:1, f/2.8 - f/4. There are tables out there with more precise ranges.

The cheapest but not necessarily most aesthetic way to deal with shallow depth of field (after stopping down) is to reorient the subject so that as much of the details you wish to capture is situated parallel to the image plane; in other words, if you want the tufts of white calcite as well as the older generation of brown calcite to be in focus, is to position the specimen so that it is directly facing the camera.

It is something of a misconception to think that focus stacking requires a motorized rail and specialized stacking software. While these greatly facilitate "deep" stacks with a lot of source images at high magnification, there is much room for compromise here. Some of my best stacks involved only 2 or 3 images, shot handheld without the assistance of a rail, and merged manually. And if you have a tripod, that can help keep the framing constant as you adjust focus. Also, keep in mind that not every part of the subject needs to be in focus, but when you choose what portions you wish to have sharp, it is usually (but not always) best to have foreground features sharp and background features out of focus.

One thing I've noticed about a lot of the photos I've seen here is that many of you like to show the entire specimen (unless it's a micromount). This is something I need to get used to, since as someone who is not a mineralogist, my aesthetic criteria are different from most of yours. I realize you want to show the specimen in context, and that this is an important consideration. I need to work on this, I think, if I am to document my collection properly.

One other comment I do have is with the quality of lighting. I recommend trying to keep a consistent color temperature across all of your illumination sources, since diffuse natural lighting tends to be cooler than indoor incandescent light. Bringing the light physically closer to the specimen can dramatically increase the intensity of illumination, although it also may change its character (diffuse versus specular, etc). Lots to think about!

17th Aug 2018 05:50 UTCGreg Simmons

Thanks Hiro. That's a lot of good info. I just added this halite to my catalogue. Take a look. I experimented with lighting some more as well as depth of field so more of it appears in focus.

https://www.mindat.org/photo-904607.html

15th Sep 2018 20:35 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I started playing with my new camera this afternoon :-)

15th Sep 2018 20:55 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

And by the way, thanks Hiro for your explanations, I learned something about the relation between aperture and sharpness.

Greg, you're on the right path with your pictures. If I may give you an advice, it would be to lower the ISO to reduce the noise, which is especially bothering (well, slightly bothering ;-) ) in your first calcite pictures.

17th Sep 2018 00:44 UTCGreg Simmons

Maybe this is a silly question but.. what is the noise you are referring to? What element in the image is considered noise?

Thanks for the tip.

17th Sep 2018 19:21 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

You can read about it here, for instance.

19th Sep 2018 11:13 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Wulfenite from Bleiberg:

19th Sep 2018 15:47 UTCGreg Simmons

Beautiful!

Antoine, Thanks for the link. I'll check it out. Always happy to learn something new.

19th Sep 2018 16:46 UTCJon Aurich

. Goldfield Nevada. High Grade Epithermal Gold Specimen. Bonanza Ore. From the famous Rustler #2 and Florence Mines. This rare specimen shows multiple Sulphides. The colors are spectacular. It contains Quartz, Famatinite, Dacite, Goldfieldite, Milltown Andesite, Cryptocrystalline Quartz, Alunite, Bismuthinite and Native Gold. 1 3/4” x 1 1/4” x 1/4”.

21st Sep 2018 12:46 UTCFrank K. Mazdab 🌟 Manager

Thought I'd take a stab at this forum, and maybe kill two birds with one stone (ha ha). This is a cerussite on corroded galena I picked up a few years ago from one of the Moroccan "tent" dealers at the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show. The long dimension is 7 cm. The photography was pretty unsophisticated, especially compared to what others are doing here. I took this simply with my iPhone SE, with daylight illumination, and with the phone supported on a box about 10 cm from the sample (the closest I could get and still focus). Afterwards I cropped out the edge of the box, and using Mac's Preview program, I did an auto levels adjustment and applied sharpening. The photography isn't going to win any awards, but if the only camera you have is on your phone, I think it's still possible to take decent (record-keeping worthy) photos. So this is my personal subjectively "best photo of a specimen over 1 cm".

The other "bird to kill" here is that unfortunately the dealer simply labeled the specimen's locality as "Morocco", without including, or perhaps even knowing, a more precise location. My feeling from looking through all the Moroccan cerussite photos here is that it's probably from the Touissit district, since it doesn't look like any of the Mibladen examples. I suppose it could also be from one of the lesser known localities. Normally I'd be reluctant to buy a poorly-labeled specimen, but this puppy was just $15 so I couldn't pass it up. It'd be great to be able to include at least a district (even if I have to follow it with a question mark), so if any Moroccan-cerussite experts have an opinion, I'm all ears.

23rd Sep 2018 19:50 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I don't know if I am an expert, but I like Morocco and cerussite ;) The way the crystals are twinned reminds me of Taouz. You could check the cerussite picturess from there to see if they match.

And since I'm here...

24th Sep 2018 05:08 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Dioptase with shattukite. 8.2 x 5.4 cm.

24th Sep 2018 08:49 UTCEd Richard

A bunch of these came out some years ago now, but very few notable ones.

26th Sep 2018 21:08 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Sphene from Ankogel group

14th Oct 2018 00:31 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Finger like rhodochrosite.

15th Oct 2018 22:41 UTCBrian Fussell

AM Mizunaka Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Dioptase with shattukite. 8.2 x 5.4 cm.

>

>

Great photo, whats your lighting set up for that shot?

15th Oct 2018 23:04 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

the real fuss Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> AM Mizunaka Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Dioptase with shattukite. 8.2 x 5.4 cm.

> >

> >

>

> Great photo, whats your lighting set up for that

> shot?

PM sent with the information.

25th Nov 2018 17:55 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Something I was really, really happy to find in Munich: a paradamite from the recent find at Ojuela.

15th Dec 2018 20:48 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

This one isn't bad either...

17th Dec 2018 01:15 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Rhodochrosite 10.9 x 11.8 cm.

13th Jan 2019 22:40 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Rock Crystals with round Calcite inclusions from Austria's highest mountain

:

7th Feb 2019 18:19 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

I like how this one glows when lit appropriately.

8th Feb 2019 09:23 UTCUwe Kolitsch Manager

AM Mizunaka: A comment on https://www.mindat.org/photo-885827.html ("quartz + humboldtine"):

Please see https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,9,446817,446817#msg-446817

I will remove humboldtine from the photo.

4th Mar 2019 08:48 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz with fluorite and hubnerite. 12.2 x 8.5 cm

17th Mar 2019 07:27 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Sphene from Dörfer Glacier, 3.5 cm

17th Mar 2019 08:32 UTCKeith Compton 🌟 Manager

Nice Titanite Rudolph

17th Mar 2019 18:14 UTCJohan Kjellman Expert

Frank K. Mazdab Wrote:

> probably from the Touissit district,

yes that is the most likely source

the corroded galena matrix gives it away.

true, that Taouz have excellent "stars" but these are usually singles w/o galena matrix

cheers

17th Mar 2019 18:43 UTCFrank K. Mazdab 🌟 Manager

Hi Johan,

thank you for the additional input! Yes, in fact the galena matrix is so corroded it's almost unrecognizable as galena... it's very fine-grained and surprisingly dull; had the material not had cm-sized cerussite crystals growing on it, I probably would have mistaken the unimpressive vuggy gray mass for some artificial smelter reject.

17th Mar 2019 21:30 UTCJessica Guichard

Here's some pretty talc from Vermont. It's a little over 3 inches.

18th Mar 2019 01:04 UTCJon Aurich

This rare High acid Sulphide Epithermal Specimen is rich in Bismuthinite, Famatinite and Native Gold. From the famous Rustler #2 Mine, it shows the classic deposition of Sulphides and Native Gold that made the mining district of Goldfield famous from 1904-1910. Size : 1” x 2” x 1/4”.

18th Mar 2019 14:53 UTCWayne Corwin

Jessica

Is that talc from the Argonaut Mine?

Nice piece!

20th Mar 2019 04:40 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Double terminated amethyst crystal. 5.4 x 2.0 cm.

20th Mar 2019 06:12 UTCJon Aurich

Goldfield Nevada. Bonanza Ore. High Grade Epithermal Gold Specimen. This exceedingly rich Native Gold specimen would Assay at over 2,500 ounces of Gold per ton !! Size: 2” x 1 1/2” x 1/2”..

25th Mar 2019 17:31 UTCJessica Guichard (2)

Wayne Corwin Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Jessica

> Is that talc from the Argonaut Mine?

> Nice piece!

Yes, indeed it is! Sorry about the delayed response :)

25th Mar 2019 17:37 UTCJessica Guichard (2)

Here is another, it's about 2 inches wide. Rhodonite from Peru. I'm not sure where in Peru it's from.

30th Mar 2019 19:31 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Quartz and micro-crystalline quartz coating fluorite. 10.5 x 6.3 cm.

1st Apr 2019 19:41 UTCDennis McCoy

Cool epimorph, and great photo!

1st Apr 2019 19:52 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Dennis McCoy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Cool epimorph, and great photo!

Thanks!

27th Apr 2019 14:42 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Something common, but with impeccable aesthetics, for my 100th mineral picture on Mindat :-)

27th Apr 2019 18:34 UTCPaul De Bondt Manager

Bravo Antoine, c'est cool.

Amitiés.

Paul.

29th Apr 2019 05:45 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Thank you very much Antoine, for contributing with your excellent pictures!

Rudolf

29th Apr 2019 05:50 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Smoky Quartz from the legendary Rufibach cleft:

2nd May 2019 21:01 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

Thanks for your kind comments, Paul and Rudolf!

27th May 2019 06:15 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Smoky amethyst quartz on matrix. 7.9 x 6.0 cm.

1st Jun 2019 20:37 UTCStephen Rose Expert

Barite with fluorite from the Boulder Hill mine in Lyon County, Nevada. A small cabinet size specimen. For those familiar with the locality, and seeing it described as being in Douglas County, the common Douglass/Lyon counties line runs through the deposit but most of the collecting is done in Lyon County.

13th Sep 2019 20:32 UTCRudolf Hasler Expert

Rutilated Quartz from Ibitiara, Brazil

13th Sep 2019 21:34 UTCEch Noch

With the incredible quality of the specimens here not to mention the very high quality of photos, I am hard to throw my hat in this ring. I have only just begun to work on improving my photographic methodology. But here are a few of my favorite photos to date. A cabinet sized plate of feldspar with Muscovite, black tourmaline, smoky quartz, and other unknown minerals from my mine in Placerville California.

13th Sep 2019 21:38 UTCEch Noch

Microcline plate with Blue-green Albite, Schorl, Smoky Quartz, and minor Muscovite. Child photos give alternate angles and highlight different focal points since I don’t have a photo stacking program.

13th Sep 2019 21:40 UTCEch Noch

A unique formation of Albite that exhibits hoppered growth.

13th Sep 2019 21:43 UTCEch Noch

A cluster of doubly terminated Citrine crystals from my mine in Placerville California. The crystals are citrine towards the middle and then transition to clear.

13th Sep 2019 21:50 UTCEch Noch

Smoky Quartz on Clevelandite with Muscovite. Placerville California. A very difficult specimen to photograph in a way that exhibits all the beveled prism faces. I have about 5 different sets of photos that I have done at separate sessions before quitting in frustration.

13th Sep 2019 22:05 UTCEch Noch

Tourmaline on Smoky Quartz and microcline. Placerville California.

15th Sep 2019 04:29 UTCGareth Evans

A large Cuprite crystal 70 mm tip-to-tip; Poteryaevskoe Mine, Rubtsovskoe Cu-Zn-Pb deposit, Rudnyi Altai, Altaiskii Krai, Western-Siberian Region, Russia

14th Oct 2019 03:03 UTCAM Mizunaka 🌟 Expert

Glassy etched smoky quartz. 8.9 x 5.0 cm. Switzerland.

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