BOLOGNA MINERAL SHOW 2014
23rd Jan 2014 08:48 UTCBologna Mineral Show
2014: 100th anniversary of the discovery of X-ray diffraction
Max von Laue
International Year of Crystallography
In July 2012 the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2014 the International Year of Crystallography, 100 years after the award of the Nobel Prize to Max von Laue for the discovery of the diffraction of X-rays by crystals.
The mineralogy before the discovery of X-rays was limited to the study of crystals by the chemical composition and external morphology. About the geometric perfection of crystals, some researchers hypothesized that in them the matter were ordered on a regular basis, but it was only a theory. The discovery of X-rays has demonstrated its validity, providing a powerful means to resolve the internal structure of the crystals. It’s now possible to define precisely the periodic repetition lattice (unit cell) and the relative position of the atoms, which is essential for a precise characterization of each species, crystalline mineral or artificial. That was the birth of modern crystallography. The modern crystallography has brought beneficial in fields other than mineralogy; it is crucial for materials science, physics, chemistry and biology. Thanks to the crystallographic applications nowadays we know the structure of DNA and viruses, we manufacture computer memories and more efficient materials; plus, we design new pharmaceuticals.
The 45th edition of the Bologna Mineral Show is celebrating this event with a thematic exhibition made possible thanks to the collaboration of major Museums and private collectors, reserving ample space to the various aspects of crystallography, before and after the discovery of X-rays, with historical, scientific and mineralogical material .
The core of the Thematic Display starts with the exhibition "CRYSTAL", where, in cooperation with the Section of Mineralogy by University of Padova, it will be set up an espositive route on the discovery of X-rays and applications in mineralogy, focusing on issues closer to the collecting field.
The University of Padova has planned an exhibition with panels illustrating the concepts of periodicity and symmetry -which are fundamental to the study of crystals-, mineralogical icons, mineral, gem quality mineral specimens, copies of books, old tools, as well as an area dedicated to applications in society, such as native elements, sulfides, sulfates and carbonates, with a particular attention on zeolites, minerals widely used in civil and industrial use.
In addition to the University of Padova, other institutions are involved with the organization of this important event.
The Regional Museum of Natural Sciences of Turin will bring a very valuable collection of pyrite crystals studied by Strüver, together with the publications relating to the work performed ("Studies on the Piedmont and Elban pyrite" 1869).
The Natural History Museum of Milan will be displaying some samples of exceptional mineralogical and aesthetic value.
Important also the contribution by Renato Pagano and Massimo Tomalino with the provision of important historical documents. In this particular exhibition area will also be exposed mineralogical specimens aesthetycal as much as representative for the crystallographic classes, from museums and private collections.
BOLCA AND ITS FOSSILS
Bolca of Vestenanuova is a small village on the eastern Lessini mountains at about 850 m of altitude.
Near Bolca, there are numerous fossil deposits including Pesciara and Mount Postale. These two sites are the best known and most important in the world because of the number, variety, and the state of preservation of the fossil finds.
In fact, Bolca with its deposits, is a unique example in the world for the richness of fossil finds, mainly fish and plants, but also crustaceans, jellyfish, insects, bird feathers, etc.. dating back about 50 million years ago.
This is the most important fossil area attributed to the Eocene, which has returned such an abundant variety of animal organisms (insects and crocodiles) and plants (from Rosaceae to palms) in perfect condition.
The uniqueness of the fossils of Bolca area also consists in the fact that many of the findings also have an incredible aesthetic value due to the evidence of characteristics of the fossils and for their peculiarity: just think of the famous “angel fish” which are of incomparable beauty and scientific value for . Bolca, thanks to its deposits of Pesciara and Mount Postale, as well as its unique history and scientific reality, is for the national and international community a legacy of inestimable value.
Other important fossil deposits are those on the Monte Purga of Bolca - Monte Vegroni, where until after World War lignites have been subject to extraction and marketed as fuel while, during the work of cultivation, which took place mainly in galleries, were found numerous and beautiful palm trees (Latanites, Phoenicites, etc..), several meters high and with a fan that pinnate fronds, as well as turtles (Trionyx, known as "soft-shell turtle") and crocodiles (Crocodilusvicetinus).
Fossils of Bolca are known since long time even though it is not known when it was discovered the fossil deposits. The earliest records date back to a document by Andrea Mattioli in 1555, while in 1571 the important collection of the pharmacist Francesco Calzolari from Verona, who, in his museum (the first known natural history museum in the world), has been setting out, among other natural materials, including some fish from Bolca. The fossils, although known since classical ancient times, acquire their modern meaning only in the seventeenth century when, recognized their organic origin, are identified as the remains of organisms that lived in the past.
It’s more than 200 years that the Cerato family is engaged in the patient, laborious but equally fascinating work of extracting fossils from Bolca area. This work is difficult and requires a special technique of excavation that involves the separation of the various limestone plates that hold the remains of fossilized organisms. Within the mining operations, research and restoration of the fossils, the Cerato’s have always been specialized professionals as well as the best ones in-depth knowledge of the area. This specificity also derives from an oral tradition of the family, a tradition that has been perpetuated for generations. During all of these years of research it is estimated that from Pesciara have been extracted from over 100,000 fish perfectly fossilized.
http://youtu.be/W6AYXKTVZ9c
An interesting Exhibition of some of these fish fossils, including the beautiful angel fish, will be on display at the 45th BOLOGNA MINERAL SHOW on 7 - 8 - March 9, 2014 at the Unipol ARENA, Gino Cervi avenue, 2nd , Casalecchio di Reno , Bologna.
MOBILE LABORATORY FOR ANALYSIS OF MINERAL
In conjunction with the exhibition on the theme of crystallography, Renato and Adriana Pagano will exhibit their personal collection of portable laboratories used by the pioneers of mineralogy for the determination of mineral species. This collection is considered the largest existing one in its kind, up today, and it is composed of laboratories of more than 100 years old.
In conjunction with the exhibition on the theme of crystallography, Renato and Adriana Pagano will exhibit their personal collection of portable laboratories used by the pioneers of mineralogy for the determination of mineral species. This collection is considered the largest existing one in its kind, up today, and it is composed of laboratories of more than 100 years old.
MINERALS FROM VIGNOLA MINE
BARITE, FLUORITE and QUARTZ
The variety of mineralogical species and the rarity of some of them, make Vignola as one of the most interesting mines of the italian Region of Trentino.
About mining activity in the area is known since the Middle Ages, when many concessions were issued to contractors for the cultivation of argentiferous galena.
Since 1954 began the industrial exploitation for the extraction of fluorite (required, primarily in the foundry) and recovery of minerals such as lead, zinc, copper and barium.
Were traced eight levels aligned in height from an altitude of 1064 to 1333 m for a total of about three kilometers.
The galleries are connected by chimneys and hoppers for unloading the materials from the day led to lower gallery, near the road, to be transported to processing plant in Pergine Valsugana.
The mine was finally closed in 1968.
Cubic fluorite crystals over 30 cm edge, gem clear crystals of barite found by Federico Morelli, Sandro and Ugo Zampedri in the famous mine of Vignola in Trentino Region, will be on display at the 45 ° BOLOGNA MINERAL SHOW on 7 - 8 - March 9, 2014 at the Unipol ARENA, Gino Cervi avenue, 2nd, Casalecchio di Reno, Bologna.
BARITE, FLUORITE and QUARTZ
The variety of mineralogical species and the rarity of some of them, make Vignola as one of the most interesting mines of the italian Region of Trentino.
About mining activity in the area is known since the Middle Ages, when many concessions were issued to contractors for the cultivation of argentiferous galena.
Since 1954 began the industrial exploitation for the extraction of fluorite (required, primarily in the foundry) and recovery of minerals such as lead, zinc, copper and barium.
Were traced eight levels aligned in height from an altitude of 1064 to 1333 m for a total of about three kilometers.
The galleries are connected by chimneys and hoppers for unloading the materials from the day led to lower gallery, near the road, to be transported to processing plant in Pergine Valsugana.
The mine was finally closed in 1968.
Cubic fluorite crystals over 30 cm edge, gem clear crystals of barite found by Federico Morelli, Sandro and Ugo Zampedri in the famous mine of Vignola in Trentino Region, will be on display at the 45 ° BOLOGNA MINERAL SHOW on 7 - 8 - March 9, 2014 at the Unipol ARENA, Gino Cervi avenue, 2nd, Casalecchio di Reno, Bologna.
Characteristic find of tourmaline
The mineralogical locality of Val di Rabbi is known to mineral prospectors since the 70s of the 900, time when came to light samples of black tourmaline (schorl) of more than 30 cm in length, the largest specimens in the Alps for this mineral species .
In subsequent years, the field was covered by a landslide and excavated again in the 2000s.
Finding of the specimen:
The original weight of the sample found by Valentinelli Valentino was 150kg. The tourmaline crystals were embedded in a matrix of quartz and albite that has been carefully removed not to damage the tourmaline crystals.
What are tourmalines:
Tourmalines are a group of minerals belonging to the class of ciclosilicates. Do exist various types of tourmalines, which differ in chemical composition and different colouring. The most common is the black and opaque tourmaline, known as schorl. Other tourmalines, especially elbaite, thanks to transparency and vibrant colors that characterize it, are used to obtain much sought after gems.
Why so big crystals?
Large crystals such as tourmaline from Val di Rabbi have formed into igneous rocks consist of crystals of large size, the so-called pegmatites, which are in the form of veins powerful even a few meters.
The pegmatites originate from the fluid residue of a mass of magma that is left to solidify in depth; inside them focus particular chemical elements (very "light" or very "heavy"), in addition to the more volatile components of the magma . The concentration of volatile elements is the key to the "gigantism" of crystals: it lowers the viscosity of the fluid, hinders the formation of new crystals and thus allows the ions to move into great distance "feeding" the best growth of the few crystals present .
The mineralogical locality of Val di Rabbi is known to mineral prospectors since the 70s of the 900, time when came to light samples of black tourmaline (schorl) of more than 30 cm in length, the largest specimens in the Alps for this mineral species .
In subsequent years, the field was covered by a landslide and excavated again in the 2000s.
Finding of the specimen:
The original weight of the sample found by Valentinelli Valentino was 150kg. The tourmaline crystals were embedded in a matrix of quartz and albite that has been carefully removed not to damage the tourmaline crystals.
What are tourmalines:
Tourmalines are a group of minerals belonging to the class of ciclosilicates. Do exist various types of tourmalines, which differ in chemical composition and different colouring. The most common is the black and opaque tourmaline, known as schorl. Other tourmalines, especially elbaite, thanks to transparency and vibrant colors that characterize it, are used to obtain much sought after gems.
Why so big crystals?
Large crystals such as tourmaline from Val di Rabbi have formed into igneous rocks consist of crystals of large size, the so-called pegmatites, which are in the form of veins powerful even a few meters.
The pegmatites originate from the fluid residue of a mass of magma that is left to solidify in depth; inside them focus particular chemical elements (very "light" or very "heavy"), in addition to the more volatile components of the magma . The concentration of volatile elements is the key to the "gigantism" of crystals: it lowers the viscosity of the fluid, hinders the formation of new crystals and thus allows the ions to move into great distance "feeding" the best growth of the few crystals present .
