| Calcite is one of the most abundant natural minerals. It is found in very different shapes, both compact as limestone as well as sinter in caves and in the crystalline state. But even in our daily life calcite is always present: in some regions it blockes water pipes as "chalk", we build our houses ... moreCalcite is one of the most abundant natural minerals. It is found in very different shapes, both compact as limestone as well as sinter in caves and in the crystalline state. But even in our daily life calcite is always present: in some regions it blockes water pipes as "chalk", we build our houses with it, it is in our food chain and without it we could not stand upright. Calcite is not rare, but the varied mineral on Earth. The variety of forms and variations of the forms of calcite are unmatched in the world of mineralogy. By 2009, more than 800 Calcit forms have been described. |
| Do you know El Tio, the ruler of the underworld? In January 2012 Stefan Schorn, administrator of mineralienatlas.de, had the chance to visit the Bolivian San José Mine. In his article he tells us about the history of the mine and shows us with over 60 pictures this adventuresome trip inside the mine ... moreDo you know El Tio, the ruler of the underworld? In January 2012 Stefan Schorn, administrator of mineralienatlas.de, had the chance to visit the Bolivian San José Mine. In his article he tells us about the history of the mine and shows us with over 60 pictures this adventuresome trip inside the mine. (Article in German) |
| The study of twins starts due to the very first beginnings of crystallography as a science. Not negligible for this reason, the idea or the concept of a twin crystal are often associated with a macroscopic building. Modern studies at the nano scale have shown that the formation of twins can occur at ... moreThe study of twins starts due to the very first beginnings of crystallography as a science. Not negligible for this reason, the idea or the concept of a twin crystal are often associated with a macroscopic building. Modern studies at the nano scale have shown that the formation of twins can occur at a very early stage of crystal growing. Based on these findings, it does beg the request to reconsider the formation mechanisms, and adjacency to the newly different categories. (Text in german) |
| Der Begriff "Organische Mineralien" wird (leider) weltweit noch oft individuell definiert, obwohl es für diese Mineralgruppe seit einigen Jahren eine "Status Quo"-Klassifizierung gibt. Status Quo bedeutet im weiteren Sinn die Klassifizierung nach dem Strunz-System, insbesondere aber die Anerkennung ... moreDer Begriff "Organische Mineralien" wird (leider) weltweit noch oft individuell definiert, obwohl es für diese Mineralgruppe seit einigen Jahren eine "Status Quo"-Klassifizierung gibt. Status Quo bedeutet im weiteren Sinn die Klassifizierung nach dem Strunz-System, insbesondere aber die Anerkennung bzw. Aberkennung (Diskreditierung) der nachstehenden Mineralien durch die international verbindliche IMA-Regelung... Ein Beitrag unseres verstorbenen Freundes Peter Seroka |