Crystal Collecting
I am a geologist, mineral collector and dealer. I have a selection of fine mineral specimens, many of which are self-collected,and jewelry-quality crystals (the suite of gem quartz (Herkimer Diamonds) is particularly fine). You can see some of my collection on my website.
10xminerals.com
If you have questions about minerals or crystals, please feel free to contact me.
Steve
SquiDirectory - A categorized Squidoo directory featuring an interesting variety of different subjects ranging from arts and literature, shopping, and eco friendly tips, to vehicles for sale, travel, and everything in between.
10xminerals.com
If you have questions about minerals or crystals, please feel free to contact me.
Steve
SquiDirectory - A categorized Squidoo directory featuring an interesting variety of different subjects ranging from arts and literature, shopping, and eco friendly tips, to vehicles for sale, travel, and everything in between.
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Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMineral Collecting Stories
I thought that it would be fun to share some of the experiences that I have had over the years while searching for mineral specimens. I have worked as a geologist and then as a mineral dealer and have always been interested in collecting specimens in the field. There is nothing like the rush of seeing a nice specimen, uncovered for the first time.Some of the stories and pictures that you will see here are shown on my website: 10xminerals.com
Italian Mountain Complex seen from the East
Italian Mountain, Colorado
In the mid-1970's I spent a good deal of time working on projects in Central and Southwestern Colorado. Among several areas of interest in the Gunnison area was an exploration project that incorporated much of the Italian Mountain intrusive complex, an area some 15 miles NE of Gunnison. This is one of the premier mineral collecting spots in the western US, one that has been recognized for the unusually fine specimens found there since it was first described by geologists in the 1870's.
Later discovery of perhaps the only commercially significant North American deposit of gem-grade lazulite adds considerable interest. It is a place of sublime beauty that is seldom visited by mineral collectors because of it's remoteness, elevation and lack of access for motorized vehicles.
Later discovery of perhaps the only commercially significant North American deposit of gem-grade lazulite adds considerable interest. It is a place of sublime beauty that is seldom visited by mineral collectors because of it's remoteness, elevation and lack of access for motorized vehicles.
Stewart Basin near Trail Leading to Summit
This writing will just introduce the reader to the area and the interesting geology and mineralogy there. There is a variety of literature available concerning the general area and the Italian Mountain complex itself. From the collectors point of view, the best reference is a fine article in The Mineralogical Record by Henry Truebe, (March-April, 1984).
Henry spent some time over a period of several years doing thesis work, mining specimens and evaluating the commercial potential for specimens in the area. He identifies and locates all of the significant species found there.
Italian Mountain is located between the Taylor River and Cement Creek drainages and is best approached from the east from a jeep trail that, starting just north of Taylor Reservoir, follows North Italian Creek to the area of the Star Mine in Star Basin. Several mines in this area produced small amounts of lead, zinc and silver from replacement ore bodies in limestone. The ponds in Star Basin are large enough to produce some fine trout for those interested in fishing. From Star Basin the trail turns south, rounding the east end of the long east-west trending ridge that separates Star Basin on the north from Stewart Basin to the south.
Henry spent some time over a period of several years doing thesis work, mining specimens and evaluating the commercial potential for specimens in the area. He identifies and locates all of the significant species found there.
Italian Mountain is located between the Taylor River and Cement Creek drainages and is best approached from the east from a jeep trail that, starting just north of Taylor Reservoir, follows North Italian Creek to the area of the Star Mine in Star Basin. Several mines in this area produced small amounts of lead, zinc and silver from replacement ore bodies in limestone. The ponds in Star Basin are large enough to produce some fine trout for those interested in fishing. From Star Basin the trail turns south, rounding the east end of the long east-west trending ridge that separates Star Basin on the north from Stewart Basin to the south.
Looking North from Peak to Saddle ~ Collecting Area
American Flag Mountain forms a high North-South trending escarpment east of Stewart Basin. A foot trail from the south side of this ridge provides access from the ridge on the east flank of the main peak to the primary collecting area in a saddle at a contact zone just north of and below the 4,078 meter (13,380 foot) summit.
Author on Trail up East Ridge of Italian Mountain
Access from the head of Cement Creek follows a trail on the ridge northwest of the North Italian Mountain where the lazulite is found and skirts the peak of North Italian Mountain and approaches the summit of (Central) Italian mountain from the north across a talus slope. This is by far the most difficult access and the trail from the east is recommended. Note that the lazulite deposit is located on patented claims and is off limits to collecting without permission from the owners. Truebe located lazulite in several small occurrences around the main peak of Italian Mountain, but none proved to be of commercial interest.
The three peaks of the Italian Mountain intrusive complex are related to three intrusive ingneous stocks, the youngest of which is about 34 million years old and is usually described as a quartz-monzonite-porphyry (QMP). These rocks intrude Paleozoic sedimentary rocks that intrude limestones, dolomites, shales and quartzite. In these reactive rocks adjacent to the contacts with the QMP main stock and related intrusive dikes are developed skarn that contain the primary minerals of interest.
The three peaks of the Italian Mountain intrusive complex are related to three intrusive ingneous stocks, the youngest of which is about 34 million years old and is usually described as a quartz-monzonite-porphyry (QMP). These rocks intrude Paleozoic sedimentary rocks that intrude limestones, dolomites, shales and quartzite. In these reactive rocks adjacent to the contacts with the QMP main stock and related intrusive dikes are developed skarn that contain the primary minerals of interest.
Steep Dipping Beds of Leadville Limestone East of Lazulite Deposits
Italian Mountain Summit
While there are some 80 mineral species described from the area, the most important and accesable to collectors are found in a relatively small area near the summit of Italian Mountain. These include vesuvianite (idocrase), garnet var. grosslar, prenite, clinozoisite, epidote, diopside, chabazite and heulandite. Several pits have been opened on contact zones where these minerals have formed in skarns associated with intrusives and shaley sedimentary rocks of the Beldon formation. My favorite spot is in the saddle north of the main peak. Here the the west slope drops sharply some 500 meters to the Cement Creek valley and to the east is a near vertical drop of some 100 meters to a talus slope above Star Basin.
Ponds in Star Basin from North Peak-Italian Mountain
In the 1970's there were some remnant cables attached to the vertical cliffs below this area. Presumably they were used by some of Truebe's crew to evaluate the contact zones on the cliff face. There are fine vesuvianite crystals here, up to 5-6 cm, although the best are those up to about 2.5 cm both on matrix and as floaters in collapsed pockets.
Vesuvianite, (1cm) on grossularite-skarn matrix
Larger crystals, particularly those found near the east edge of the saddle area, tend to be corroded and may show unusual silky, fibrous vesuvianite surfaces. In addition, this is an area where there are gemmy grossularite crystals up to (rarely) 2cm.
Heulandite Crystals to 3mm from Saddle Area
A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended if you intend to approach Italian Mountain from either direction. As with most high-altitude collecting expeditions, remember to take warm clothing and rain gear and be prepared to abandon the heights during the thunder storms that are common in Central Colorado during much of the collecting season. Tools should include at least a small pry bar, small sledge, chisels and a whisk broom. My information is dated, so check access and ownership while planning a trip.
Gem Beryl Crystals in Brazil
A Million Dollars On the Table!
One of the highlights of a 1988 trip to Brazil was found in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais where there is, perhaps, the greatest concentration of gem and mineral dealers in South America. While there is a huge cut stone business there, dealers are very much aware of the value of specimens as well.
In a nondescript office of a mineral and gem dealer, we were shown these wonderful aquamarine crystals (there is one heliodor or yellow beryl as well); the total weight of the six crystals was 27 kilos. All of the crystals were terminated and are shown sitting on their flat terminations. They were found during road construction at an unknown Minas Gerais location. The crystals were very gemmy and of excellent color. The asking price was $1,000,000.00.
We did some calculations and the asking price wasn't really out of line, considering the amount of gem material. We left them for someone in the gem business and never learned where they ended up.
In a nondescript office of a mineral and gem dealer, we were shown these wonderful aquamarine crystals (there is one heliodor or yellow beryl as well); the total weight of the six crystals was 27 kilos. All of the crystals were terminated and are shown sitting on their flat terminations. They were found during road construction at an unknown Minas Gerais location. The crystals were very gemmy and of excellent color. The asking price was $1,000,000.00.
We did some calculations and the asking price wasn't really out of line, considering the amount of gem material. We left them for someone in the gem business and never learned where they ended up.
Lupines & Balsamroot
Crystal and Mineral Links
Informative Sites about Crystals and Minerals
- Mindat.org
- Online Mineral Database
- Minerant.org
- The Mineral Collectors Page
Spring flowers near the Leadville Mines
Late May in Northern Nevada brings lots of flowers, especially at higher elevations with more precipitation. At about 6,000 feet, the elevation of the Leadville Mining District, lupines, Indian paintbrush and balsamroot are common.
During this trip to the mines and the northeren Black Rock Desert area we saw several groups of wild mustang and one antelope, as well as numerous birds. One road was flooded out by beaver activity
During this trip to the mines and the northeren Black Rock Desert area we saw several groups of wild mustang and one antelope, as well as numerous birds. One road was flooded out by beaver activity
Leadville mines, Nevada
Leadville mines, Washoe County, Nevada.
Main mine portal and dumps at far center right.
The mines at Leadville were worked for precious metals into the first half of the 19th century. The main workings portal, which is located to the right side of the green area of vegetation at the center-right of the photo, were over 2,000 feet long and are now sealed. We were investigating reports in the literature of "large flourite crystals" but found no trace of fluorite and only a few specimens of galena and sphalerite on the dumps. We did aquire a couple of ticks from the willows along the creeks but they were very slow because of the cold and rain.
Campsite at edge of the Black Rock Desert
A windy, wet and cold camp
After leaving Leadville we went back south to the edge of the Black Rock and then northeast along the east flank of the Chocolate Mountains. We attempted to cross on trails to the east to save time but found flooded and washed out roads. We ended up making a long loop to the NE then back to the SE along the west flank of the Black Rock Range. We checked out Double Hot Springs and then returned north a bit to a flat spot to camp. It was a windy, cold and showery night but we were warm in our tent. In the morning there was fresh snow on the higher peaks of all the nearby mountains.
Box Canyon in basalt and Geode area on slopes
"Falcon Canyon"
After breaking camp we backtracked north a few miles to an area where there were reported chalcedony geodes. The picture shows basalt flows, the source of the geodes, and inter layered light colored ash fall tuffs which contain petrified wood. The small dark spot on the flank of the slope of a box canyon in basalt where we found some interesting geodes as well as a nesting pair of Prairie Falcons. The area has been pretty well picked over for surface geodes but there are some nice flint and agate chips and scrapers left by the Indians from times past.
Can you find the Prairie Falcon nest?
Basalt face at end of box canyon "Falcon Canyon"
We prospected the slopes of the mountains and ended up in the drainage from the box canyon. The basalt layer contained geodes and layers of chalcedony but most were very small. One, however, was good sized and contained bright quartz crystals. The wall at the upper end of the canyon was about 75 feet tall and halfway up was a nest of Prairie Falcons. And, they were not at all happy that we were nearby. They circled and called to us for the entire time that we were in the canyon, but calmed down as we began to leave their territory. 
Double Hot Springs, Black Rock Desert
Hot Enough To Boil You!
After our geode and falcon adventures we headed south to Double Hot Springs, located near the south end of the Black Rock Range. These springs are dangerously hot and are now fenced. If you want to take a dip, about 50 yards down stream there is a tub set up for bathing.Dangerous means DANGEROUS! A few years back A family lost their daughter in the hot spring when she jumped in to try to save her dog.
All public land hot springs in Nevada are dangerous.
Hazards are:
1. First, second and third degree burns causing disfigurement or death
2. Loss of consciousness from chemical fumes
3. Bacterial irritations and bacterial diseases
In Nevada, there are about 450 groups of hot springs with temperatures hotter than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Many have temperatures hotter than 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Skin is scalded within three seconds in 140 degree water. So, please stay away from the hot springs as the banks are usually slippery and steep and almost impossible to get out of on your own. Keep your pets on a leash and your kids under control at all times.
The trail used by the "Forty Niners" passed this spot and there is a sign with a quote from a traveler's journal dated August 28, 1849, mentioning how the group rested by the springs and "boiled beans".
The history of America's western migration during the mid-1800's is written on the rocks of the Black Rock Desert. The first recorded Western exploration was in 1843-1844 by Captain John C.Fremont and his notes and maps served as the guidepost for future travelers.
For more history and details go to: www.aeropac.org/BLMsage
Inset photo from the website: http://www.rimworld.com
Track across the Black Rock
Smooth Sailing!
We left the springs and headed south and east to the flat part of the Black Rock playa. This is near the area where in October, 1997 Britisher Andy Green set the world land speed record in his jet powered 10-ton car. 766MPH! We didn't travel quite this fast but it is fun to drive on the trail that barely curves for nearly 40 miles at up to 60 mph raising a wonderful plume of dust behind.
Check out the video of Green's record.
Check out the video of Green's record.
Black Rock Desert Land Speed Record
These guys got home faster than we did!
Thrust SSC Supersonic Boom
curated content from YouTube
Shirts and Hats with Geologic Humor
'The Art of Subduction'
Humorous play on words. All your earth science/geologist friends will enjoy the pun!
Art of Subduction Light T-Shirt
Price: 19.99 
Art of Subduction Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Price: 23.99
Art of Subduction Sweatshirt
Price: 34.99
Art of Subduction Cap
Price: 18.99
Art of Subduction Trucker Hat
Price: 14.99
'Geologists Know Every Orogenous Zone'
Orogeny White T-Shirt
Price: 19.99
Orogeny Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Price: 23.99
Orogeny Sweatshirt
Price: 34.99
Orogeny Trucker Hat
Price: 14.99
Orogeny Cap
Price: 18.99
Geologists - Always Finding Fault
Always Finding Fault White T-Shirt
Price: 19.99
Always Finding Fault Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Price: 23.99
Always Finding Fault Sweatshirt
Price: 34.99
Always Finding Fault Trucker Hat
Price: 14.99
Always Finding Fault Cap
Price: 18.99
Interesting Links
- Info about the Black Rock Desert
- Lots of information and facts about the Black Rock Desert.
- Google map of Black Rock Desert
- Nice satellite view of the Black Rock.
- Burning Man Website
- Every year, tens of thousands of participants gather to create Black Rock City in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, dedicated to self-expression, self-reliance, and art as the center of community. They leave one week later, having left no trace.
- Burning Man Photo site
- Here are some great photos of last year's Burning Man in the Black Rock desert.
Feedback and Comments
grannysage wrote...
Well, you brought back some memories. My parents owned a rock shop, and I remember tagging along after them when they went to the old copper mine piles to look for datolite. I have to say I never really got the bug, although I have found some nice agates. Very interesting information and pictures. I liked the pictures of the crystals on your website as well. Hope you add some more to this page.
Posted May 05, 2009
Igneous wrote...
Just had to post again on your lens. I have come back and looked it over many times. Great job
Posted April 08, 2009
kencasey wrote...
I'm always looking to read a geologist's or collector's field stories. Thanks for sharing.
Posted February 02, 2009
Stinky wrote...
Liked the info about the Black Rock link. Found another interesting link there.
Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:End_of_Civilization.jpg
Posted January 31, 2009
Adventure Gear
All the stuff you need to get started on your own adventure!
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by crystalguy
I'm Steve, a geologist who has been around the mineral specimen business as a collector and dealer since the 1960's. Specimens in my stock include 'Ol... (more)
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