Ed Clopton's Photo Gallery
RCL-AEEPhlogopite KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 , Anthophyllite ◻{Mg2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2 , Chlorite Group
Dimensions: 7.8 cm x 5.5 cm x 5.0 cm
Field of View: 19.1 cm
Specimen containing three approximately parallel "Hermanov spheres", one in the center (phlogopite core seen on edge) and one on each end. Purchased in 2016 from Robert Vaňo.
F0W-VLJGypsum CaSO4·2H2O
Dimensions: 36 mm x 33 mm x 27 mm
Field of View: 43.2 mm
Weight: 15 g
Cluster of lenticular crystals of translucent gypsum. Second photo shows that the cluster is centered on one primary crystal whose vertical edge is seen in the center of this photo. Specimen fluoresces and phosphoresces white in SWUV. Purchased online in 2016 from Robert Vaňo.
L3C-CA4Clathrospira
Dimensions: 92 mm x 85 mm x 62 mm
Field of View: 3.8 cm
Internal mold of a gastropod, probably Clathrospira sp., in hard dolostone from the Wise Lake member of the late Ordovician Galena group. The fossil surface is covered with minute, lustrous dolomite crystals. See additional photos. Personally collected at the quarry in 1988.
L3C-CA4Clathrospira
Dimensions: 92 mm x 88 mm x 62 mm
Field of View: 3.9 cm
Internal mold of a gastropod, probably Clathrospira sp., in hard dolostone from the Wise Lake member of the late Ordovician Galena group. The fossil surface is covered with minute, lustrous dolomite crystals. See additional photos. Personally collected at the quarry in 1988.
2AK-MTWVermiculite Mg0.7(Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)8O20(OH)4·8H2O
Field of View: 3.9 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 12 mm
Five more loose prismatic vermiculite crystals to 12 mm in length, some showing parallel growth and/or intersecting crystals. Purchased in 2012 from Robert Vaňo.
Children play in a raft of pumice on Lake Taupō, North Island, New Zealand in December 2022. Photo: Rotorua Post, NZME / Dan Hutchinson
Twins Finn and Otis (left) and Oisin play in a huge raft of pumice at Waitetoko Beach, Tauranga Taupo Bay, Lake Taupo, in December 2022. In this case the pumice raft did not result directly from an eruption but is believed to be old material washed into a tributary of the freshwater lake by a landslide upstream. Photo: Rotorua Post, NZME / Dan Hutchinson
UF4-A2PArsenopyrite FeAsS
Dimensions: 56 mm x 41 mm x 22 mm
Field of View: 6.4 cm
Weight: 112 g
Elongated prismatic crystals of arsenopyrite emerging from compact crystalline arsenopyrite matrix. Tallest crystal measures 20 mm tall on rear of specimen (about 15 mm visible in this view). Crystals are very sharp, with fairly bright luster, and are studded on many faces with very minute arsenopyrite crystals. See also second photo. Arsenopyrite apparently is found at the deepest levels of the mine that are accessible only when the local water table is abnormally low. Acquired 2/2024 from Dragon Minerals.
432-MT2Amphibole Supergroup (Var: Uralite) AX2Z5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
Dimensions: 36 mm x 33 mm x 26 mm
Field of View: 3.1 cm
Weight: 13 g
Jackstraw cluster of "uralite": sharp prismatic pyroxene crystals replaced by a dark green amphibole mineral. Two intergrown crystals (I don't think they are twinned) form a prominent "X" on the front of the specimen. No rock matrix. Acquired 1/2024 from Joe & Michele Weisberg, ex Fenton collection #1522. Fenton label appears to say "91" at the bottom--may mean 1991.
DQ1-0GUCalcite CaCO3
Dimensions: 60 mm x 41 mm x 30 mm
Field of View: 73.0 mm
Weight: 74 g
Cleavage of light blue calcite, no rock matrix. Acquired at Maine Mineralogical & Geological Society meeting silent auction, 2/2024.
7MV-1LQOrthoclase K(AlSi3O8)
Dimensions: 34 mm x 30 mm x 27 mm
Field of View: 67.9 mm
Single euhedral crystal of transparent, vaseline-yellow orthoclase. Top faces and side pinacoid faces are glassy; others are lightly frosted. All edges are sharp and straight. See other photos. Dealer label states the ID is confirmed by XRD. Acquired 2/2024 from Dragon Minerals, ex Ed & Carol's Minerals, ex Dragon Minerals (originally).
