| 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 term used in the plural "pyrites" has often been misused in the past or in common for marcasite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and other yellow to brass-colored minerals. The word pyrite is derived from the Greek "pyrites lithos" (derived pyr = fire and lithos = stone) and describes a characteristic ... moreThe term used in the plural "pyrites" has often been misused in the past or in common for marcasite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and other yellow to brass-colored minerals. The word pyrite is derived from the Greek "pyrites lithos" (derived pyr = fire and lithos = stone) and describes a characteristic of the mineral, when rubbing against steel or flint (flint) to generate sparks. In prehistoric tombs pyrite concretions and unrolled pyrite where found, which supposed to be used for lighting a fire. (Article in German) |
| Iin 1546 Georgius Agricola reported about a white metal which is fused to the Rammelsberg lead and silver melter and that you could scrape off. He called this metal "contrefey", because it could imitate gold. Agricola did not recognize that this metal was zinc. He further observed that a similar met ... moreIin 1546 Georgius Agricola reported about a white metal which is fused to the Rammelsberg lead and silver melter and that you could scrape off. He called this metal "contrefey", because it could imitate gold. Agricola did not recognize that this metal was zinc. He further observed that a similar metal, which he named from some unknown reasons "ZINCUM" arose under similar circumstances in Silesia during smelting. |
| ... Man glüht in der rauschenden Flamme eines Bunsenbrenners ein Magnesiastäbchen bis zur Rotglut aus. Mit dem heißen Magnesiastäbchen wird eine kleine Menge Borax oder Phosphorsalz aufgenommen und vorsichtig in die Brennerflamme gebracht. Unter ständigen Drehen wird das Salz so lange in der Brenner ... more... Man glüht in der rauschenden Flamme eines Bunsenbrenners ein Magnesiastäbchen bis zur Rotglut aus. Mit dem heißen Magnesiastäbchen wird eine kleine Menge Borax oder Phosphorsalz aufgenommen und vorsichtig in die Brennerflamme gebracht. Unter ständigen Drehen wird das Salz so lange in der Brennerflamme gedreht, bis eine klare Perle entstanden ist. Dieser Vorgang wird so lange wiederholt, bis eine Perle von ca. 4 -5 mm entstanden ist ... ein Beitrag von Andreas B. |