'Post Lockdown' Field Collected Specimens
19th May 2020 07:00 UTCDale Foster Manager
My first 'post lockdown' self collected specimen - Francolite (Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite) crystals lining a vug in a sulphide bearing lode material, some of the Francolite coating Quartz crystals.
The specimen also contains Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Sphalerite and Siderite, although most of these are not visible in this or the child images which concentrate on the crystal lined vug, some small patches of black Sphalerite are visible on the periphery of the vug with the other minerals mentioned lying on the rear of the specimen (not currently pictured).
Collected on the 15th May 2020 from dumps of Hitchens Shaft of Holmbush Mine.*
*Appropriate risk assessments and social distancing were practiced in order to collect from the site on the stated date.
The specimen also contains Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Sphalerite and Siderite, although most of these are not visible in this or the child images which concentrate on the crystal lined vug, some small patches of black Sphalerite are visible on the periphery of the vug with the other minerals mentioned lying on the rear of the specimen (not currently pictured).
Collected on the 15th May 2020 from dumps of Hitchens Shaft of Holmbush Mine.*
*Appropriate risk assessments and social distancing were practiced in order to collect from the site on the stated date.
Another 'post lockdown' self collected find, Quartz both massive and crystalline showing an encrustation of white Francolite (Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite) crystals.
Collected on the 15th May 2020 from the dirt track leading from the visitors car park to the engine houses at the Hitchens Shaft section of Holmbush Mine.*
*Appropriate risk assessments and social distancing were practiced in order to collect from the site on the stated date.
Collected on the 15th May 2020 from the dirt track leading from the visitors car park to the engine houses at the Hitchens Shaft section of Holmbush Mine.*
*Appropriate risk assessments and social distancing were practiced in order to collect from the site on the stated date.
A vug in a veinstone comprising Quartz and Fluorite with Galena, the vug shows well formed crystals of Quartz, Calcite and Pyrite.
Collected from the dumps of Wheal Wrey on the 24th May 2020.
*Appropriate risk assessments and social distancing were practiced in order to collect from the site on the stated date.
Collected from the dumps of Wheal Wrey on the 24th May 2020.
*Appropriate risk assessments and social distancing were practiced in order to collect from the site on the stated date.
Calcite crystals to 8mm on a matrix of vuggy Calcite with many well formed crystals present in the vugs.
Collected from the dumps of Wheal Wrey on the 24th May 2020.
*Appropriate risk assessments and social distancing were practiced in order to collect from the site on the stated date.
Collected from the dumps of Wheal Wrey on the 24th May 2020.
*Appropriate risk assessments and social distancing were practiced in order to collect from the site on the stated date.
The whole specimen:
Vein section comprising white chalcedonic and crystalline Quartz with Galena and Fluorite (the latter towards the left side of specimen in this view).
Collected from dumps of Wheal Wrey on 24th May 2020.
Collected from dumps of Wheal Wrey on 24th May 2020.
Dark grey metasediment rock matrix shot through with veins of a pink Feldspar group mineral.
Some isolated vugs with free standing crystals were present on the specimen.
Collected on 30th May 2020.
Some isolated vugs with free standing crystals were present on the specimen.
Collected on 30th May 2020.
Dolomite crystal lining a vug in Quartz dominant matrix with tiny Pyrite crystals encrusting and enclosed within the the rhombs.
Collected on 30th May 2020.
Collected on 30th May 2020.
A large specimen of closely mixed Pyrite and Chalcopyrite with Quartz.
Two other minerals are present, based upon visual appearance one of these appears to be Siderite (brown subhedral crystalline patches) and another unknown comprising botryoidal aggregates lining some vugs and massive creamy coloured areas (see image below), however, further investigation is going to be required to confirm this.
This caption and the mineral listing for the site will be updated pending the outcome of further analysis.
Collected on 30th May 2020.
Two other minerals are present, based upon visual appearance one of these appears to be Siderite (brown subhedral crystalline patches) and another unknown comprising botryoidal aggregates lining some vugs and massive creamy coloured areas (see image below), however, further investigation is going to be required to confirm this.
This caption and the mineral listing for the site will be updated pending the outcome of further analysis.
Collected on 30th May 2020.
Aggregates of brilliant Francolite (Carbonate Fluorapatite) crystals on a Quartz matrix.
Collected from dumps at the old Skip Shaft of the Wheal Cock section of Botallack Mine on 23rd May 2020.
Not an easy specimen to photograph owing to the highly reflective nature of the masses of crystals.
Collected from dumps at the old Skip Shaft of the Wheal Cock section of Botallack Mine on 23rd May 2020.
Not an easy specimen to photograph owing to the highly reflective nature of the masses of crystals.
Dale Foster Expert ✉️
Aggregates of brilliant Francolite (Carbonate Fluorapatite) crystals on a Quartz matrix.Collected from dumps at the old Skip Shaft of the Wheal Cock section of Botallack Mine on 23rd May 2020.
Not an easy specimen to photograph owing to the highly reflective nature of the masses of crystals.
Two more views of this specimen under SW ultraviolet (above) and the same perspective under normal light.
Coarse Siderite crystals, some with partial alteration to Goethite.
Collected July 2020.
Collected July 2020.
Holmbush Mine, Callington United Mines, Stokeclimsland, Cornwall, England, UK