Tag: mining
The Spruce Pine, NC Mining District
The Spruce Pine, NC, Mining District is a world-class mineral deposit that produces the minerals used in everyday life that we don't always think...
Mexican Rocks & Minerals Collecting
Mexican rocks and minerals collecting after World War II was exciting as millions of collector specimens were mined and sold. During the war, Mexico’s...
Rhodochrosite: The Alma Queen
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with crystals that are typically red in color. The search for the world’s finest rhombic rhodochrosite specimens started...
What are Gold-Pan Concentrates?
Gold panners tend to categorize their pan concentrates as either gold or “black sand”—and discard the latter without much of a second look. And...
Carnotite Uses Explored
Carnotite can claim a unique distinction among ore minerals: It has been mined for three different mineral commodities at three different times. Although uncommon,...
Cerussite: A Stunning Secondary Mineral
Cerussite is a transparent to translucent secondary mineral. When colorless, high lead content gives it brilliant luster and makes it the heaviest of all...
What is Mined in Tsumeb?
What is mined in Tsumeb, Namibia? The mine now known as the Ongopolo mine is world-famous for its amazing assortment of common and rare...
What is Bauxite?
What is bauxite? It is the sole ore of aluminum (13th on the Periodic Table of Elements), the basis of a multi-billion-dollar-mining industry, and...
Wulfenite-Mimetite: A Breathtaking Combo
Wulfenite-mimetite specimens from Mexico’s San Francisco mine in Sonora are among the most beautiful in the world.
It's my favorite and I admit to being...
Botswana Produces the World’s Third-Largest Diamond
By Jim Brace-Thompson
They say diamonds are judged by the 4Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. But when a new diamond is dug up,...
