Mineralienatlas (name for mineral atlas) is the platform for people interested in mineralogy, geology, palaeontology and mining since 2001. We operate a significant database for minerals, fossils, rocks and their localities. Mineralienatlas is not limited to a section. We bring together information and inform comprehensive.

To complete our information constantly, we need your support. With us, everyone can and should participate. Currently Mineralienatlas is used and expanded by 10587 members. Every month hundreds of thousands of visitors use our website as an information source.
 
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Geolitho Foundation non-profit GmbH is the non-profit supporter of the Mineral Atlas (Mineralienatlas), the Lithotheque, the Geolitho Collection Management and the Marketplace and Store by collectors for collectors. The Foundation promotes public education in the field of mineralogy, geology, paleontology and mining by operating, maintaining and further expanding earth science projects.
 
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Mineralien Kalender
 
This is the most com­pre­hen­sive syn­op­sis re­lat­ed to the his­to­ry, the min­er­al­o­gy, the ex­ploi­ta­tion and the most ac­tu­al eco­nom­ic and po­lit­i­cal re­sumé on rare earth el­e­ments and their min­er­als to be found in the in­ter­net. REE be­long to the most im­por­tant raw ma­te­rials of the 21st cen­tu­ry, which are used ... moreThis is the most comprehensive synopsis related to the history, the mineralogy, the exploitation and the most actual economic and political resumé on rare earth elements and their minerals to be found in the internet. REE belong to the most important raw materials of the 21st century, which are used in a large number of key technologies. However, due to the fact that almost 97% of the world's REE are mined and produced in China, REE have become an ongoing political issue, mainly amongst technology providing countries like the US, Japan and Western Europe.

This portrait tries to explain the characteristics of REE and their role for our modern world. Written and investigated by Peter Seroka. (Article in german)
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Min­er­alien­por­trait GipsDer Gips und seine große Verwendbarkeit zu plastischen Anwendungen, zur Innenraumgestaltung und als (kalkhaltiger) Gipsmörtel waren schon seit dem Altertum bekannt. In den Keilschriften der Sumerer und Babylonier finden sich Hinweise für die Verwendung von Gips, ebenso in Jericho (6000 v. Chr.). Ab 3000 v. Chr. wurde in Uruk und später in Ägypten Gips auch als Mörtel verwendet, dem Kalk oder Steine als Verunreinigung oder zur Streckung beigemengt waren, u.a., um die Blöcke der Sphinx (2700–2600 v. Chr.) sowie der Großen Pyramide von Gizeh in Form kalkhaltiger Gipsmörtel zu verbinden, bzw. zu verfugen. Der Mörtel der großen Cheops-Pyramide besteht zu 83 Proz. aus Gips. Auch lichtdurchlässige Scheiben aus Alabaster waren bei den Ägyptern bekannt.

Die minoische Kultur verwendete Gipsmörtel und Alabaster anstatt von Marmor als Fußboden oder Wandbelag und als Baustein (Palast von Knossos, 2100–1800 v. Chr. und Palast von Phaistos) und der griechische Naturforscher Theophrastos von Eresos beschrieb in einer Abhandlung die Herstellung von Gips. In Griechenland wurde Gips wegen seiner leichten Bearbeitbarkeit auch für Bauornamente an den Häusern genutzt. Der griechische Geograph Herodot (490/480 - 424 v.Chr.) erzählt von den Äthiopiern, daß sie ihre getrockneten Leichname übergipsten und schön anmalten. Der römische Architekt Vitruv (1. Jh. v.Chr.) und Plinius d.Ä. (23 - 79 n.Chr.) sprechen von der Benutzung des Gipses zu Bauzwecken, und letzterer erzählt, daß der griechische Bildhauer Lysistratos (2. Hälfte des 4. Jh. v. Chr.) aus Sikyon zuerst einen Gipsabguß von einem menschlichen Gesicht genommen und in die Form ...

Ein Mineralienportrait aus der Feder von Peter Seroka
Der Gips und seine große Ver­wend­barkeit zu plas­tischen An­wen­dun­gen, zur In­nen­raumges­tal­tung und als (kalkhaltiger) Gips­mör­tel waren schon seit dem Al­ter­tum bekan­nt. In den Keilschriften der Sumer­er und Baby­loni­er fin­d­en sich Hin­weise für die Ver­wen­dung von Gips, eben­so in Jeri­cho (6000 v. Chr.). Ab ... moreDer Gips und seine große Verwendbarkeit zu plastischen Anwendungen, zur Innenraumgestaltung und als (kalkhaltiger) Gipsmörtel waren schon seit dem Altertum bekannt. In den Keilschriften der Sumerer und Babylonier finden sich Hinweise für die Verwendung von Gips, ebenso in Jericho (6000 v. Chr.). Ab 3000 v. Chr. wurde in Uruk und später in Ägypten Gips auch als Mörtel verwendet, dem Kalk oder Steine als Verunreinigung oder zur Streckung beigemengt waren, u.a., um die Blöcke der Sphinx (2700–2600 v. Chr.) sowie der Großen Pyramide von Gizeh in Form kalkhaltiger Gipsmörtel zu verbinden, bzw. zu verfugen. Der Mörtel der großen Cheops-Pyramide besteht zu 83 Proz. aus Gips. Auch lichtdurchlässige Scheiben aus Alabaster waren bei den Ägyptern bekannt.

Die minoische Kultur verwendete Gipsmörtel und Alabaster anstatt von Marmor als Fußboden oder Wandbelag und als Baustein (Palast von Knossos, 2100–1800 v. Chr. und Palast von Phaistos) und der griechische Naturforscher Theophrastos von Eresos beschrieb in einer Abhandlung die Herstellung von Gips. In Griechenland wurde Gips wegen seiner leichten Bearbeitbarkeit auch für Bauornamente an den Häusern genutzt. Der griechische Geograph Herodot (490/480 - 424 v.Chr.) erzählt von den Äthiopiern, daß sie ihre getrockneten Leichname übergipsten und schön anmalten. Der römische Architekt Vitruv (1. Jh. v.Chr.) und Plinius d.Ä. (23 - 79 n.Chr.) sprechen von der Benutzung des Gipses zu Bauzwecken, und letzterer erzählt, daß der griechische Bildhauer Lysistratos (2. Hälfte des 4. Jh. v. Chr.) aus Sikyon zuerst einen Gipsabguß von einem menschlichen Gesicht genommen und in die Form ...

Ein Mineralienportrait aus der Feder von Peter Seroka
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Min­er­al por­trait gar­netThis portrait mainly deals with the 6 classic garnets, their amazing history, the world’s best known classic and modern localities and deposits and their use as a gems or abrasives. It also deals with the common belief related to the non-existence of blue garnets and its refutation proven by new finds. A separate chapter deals with synthetic garnets. But it also deals with the mix up of definitions, groupings and old and unnecessary terms, which have finally been terminated or brought to a common denominator.

In 2012 the IMA (CNMNC) has defined garnets as members of the Garnet Supergroup, which include all minerals isostructural with garnet regardless of what elements occupy the four atomic sites; i.e. the supergroup includes several chemical classes . Those minerals are closely related to each other and may form a series with each other. Some garnets form intermediary minerals between each member, and may even be intergrown within a single crystal.

With the publication of the new nomenclature of the garnet supergroup, the term “garnet group” does not have its meaning anymore and the intermediate working term “Garnet superstructural group” has been replaced by “Garnet Supergroup”.
There are 32 approved species and 5 “candidate” species waiting on approval. The 32 species are subdivided by their Z-charge into 29 species, which belong to 5 groups and to 3 single representative species.
One of those 5 groups is the “Garnet group”, consisting of the 6 former (classic) garnets Pyrope, Grossular, Spessartine, Almandine, Uvarovite and Andradite plus 8 rarer garnets , as Menzerite-(Y), Eringaite, Goldmanite, Momoiite, Knorringite, Calderite, Majorite and Morimotoite.
This por­trait main­ly deals with the 6 clas­sic gar­nets, their amaz­ing his­to­ry, the world’s best known clas­sic and mod­ern lo­cal­i­ties and de­posits and their use as a gems or abra­sives. It al­so deals with the com­mon be­lief re­lat­ed to the non-ex­is­tence of blue gar­nets and its refu­ta­tion proven by new ... moreThis portrait mainly deals with the 6 classic garnets, their amazing history, the world’s best known classic and modern localities and deposits and their use as a gems or abrasives. It also deals with the common belief related to the non-existence of blue garnets and its refutation proven by new finds. A separate chapter deals with synthetic garnets. But it also deals with the mix up of definitions, groupings and old and unnecessary terms, which have finally been terminated or brought to a common denominator.

In 2012 the IMA (CNMNC) has defined garnets as members of the Garnet Supergroup, which include all minerals isostructural with garnet regardless of what elements occupy the four atomic sites; i.e. the supergroup includes several chemical classes . Those minerals are closely related to each other and may form a series with each other. Some garnets form intermediary minerals between each member, and may even be intergrown within a single crystal.

With the publication of the new nomenclature of the garnet supergroup, the term “garnet group” does not have its meaning anymore and the intermediate working term “Garnet superstructural group” has been replaced by “Garnet Supergroup”.
There are 32 approved species and 5 “candidate” species waiting on approval. The 32 species are subdivided by their Z-charge into 29 species, which belong to 5 groups and to 3 single representative species.
One of those 5 groups is the “Garnet group”, consisting of the 6 former (classic) garnets Pyrope, Grossular, Spessartine, Almandine, Uvarovite and Andradite plus 8 rarer garnets , as Menzerite-(Y), Eringaite, Goldmanite, Momoiite, Knorringite, Calderite, Majorite and Morimotoite.
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In­di­ca­tor stoneA Scandinavian indicator stone is a glacial erratic composed of a characteristic rock type derived from a small known source area in Scandinavia. This term not only applies to igneous and metamorphic rocks but also to some sedimentary rocks. The Jotnian Sandstone and most of the Palaeozoic limestones, and the Old Red Sandstone are not included in the definition, although the presence of these and other rocks provide some evidence about the source area(s) of erratics and should certainly not be neglected in a stone count. In all cases we recommend including the whole assemblage of erratics/stones in such account. This makes it possible to use several methods of Interpretation. However, it should be pointed out that the practise used in the past, whereby each researcher had her/his own method of interpreting stone counts, has proved to be unsatisfactory. We demonstrate on the bases of over 2000 counts of indicator stones that we have carried out on assemblages mostly from Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, but also from other N.German states and neighbouring countries, that the TGZ method (LÜTTIG 1958) yields the most reliable results. In addition to this method, the sources of individual indicator stones may be plotted on a so-called circle map and can be integrated with possible source data and the relative frequencies of other erratics in the assemblage. Some rock types are more suitable as indicator stones then others. It is unwise to use clearly unsuitable rock types; this would considerably reduce the reliability of the method and lead to erroneous results.
A Scan­di­na­vian in­di­ca­tor stone is a gla­cial er­rat­ic com­posed of a char­ac­teris­tic rock type de­rived from a small known source area in Scan­di­navia. This term not on­ly ap­plies to ig­neous and me­ta­mor­ph­ic rocks but al­so to some sed­i­men­tary rocks. The Jot­nian Sand­s­tone and most of the Palaeo­zoic lime­s­tone ... moreA Scandinavian indicator stone is a glacial erratic composed of a characteristic rock type derived from a small known source area in Scandinavia. This term not only applies to igneous and metamorphic rocks but also to some sedimentary rocks. The Jotnian Sandstone and most of the Palaeozoic limestones, and the Old Red Sandstone are not included in the definition, although the presence of these and other rocks provide some evidence about the source area(s) of erratics and should certainly not be neglected in a stone count. In all cases we recommend including the whole assemblage of erratics/stones in such account. This makes it possible to use several methods of Interpretation. However, it should be pointed out that the practise used in the past, whereby each researcher had her/his own method of interpreting stone counts, has proved to be unsatisfactory. We demonstrate on the bases of over 2000 counts of indicator stones that we have carried out on assemblages mostly from Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, but also from other N.German states and neighbouring countries, that the TGZ method (LÜTTIG 1958) yields the most reliable results. In addition to this method, the sources of individual indicator stones may be plotted on a so-called circle map and can be integrated with possible source data and the relative frequencies of other erratics in the assemblage. Some rock types are more suitable as indicator stones then others. It is unwise to use clearly unsuitable rock types; this would considerably reduce the reliability of the method and lead to erroneous results.
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The min­er­al fair end­ed suc­cess­ful­ly and the au­thor of this ar­ti­cle re­ceived on­ly pos­i­tive feed­back. Many deal­ers were ex­treme­ly sat­is­fied. Ac­cord­ing to the or­ganiz­er, 18,000 guests visit­ed the halls on Sa­t­ur­day alone. Both days were a hive of ac­tiv­i­ty and the nu­mer­ous chil­dren's at­trac­tions were wel ... moreThe mineral fair ended successfully and the author of this article received only positive feedback. Many dealers were extremely satisfied. According to the organizer, 18,000 guests visited the halls on Saturday alone. Both days were a hive of activity and the numerous children's attractions were well received. Parents were everywhere with their children to complete the geo-rally.

For mineral collectors, the usual dealers were on site, although some tables remained empty. There were no highlights from the scene or overflowing tables with identical material from new finds. However, one stand with an impressive selection of Germanite chunks was a welcome novelty.

The special exhibition “The Impossible Crystal” was a success. Even if not all the exhibits could be described as “impossible crystal”, all the pieces were of the best quality and well worth seeing. In the B halls, the author visited the “Young Designers”, including a student who presented cast silver jewelry in an organic design that showed off the embedded stones to their best advantage - an impressive piece of work...

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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Diese Lokal­ität ist nach Rüders­dorf wohl der ergie­big­ste Fun­dort in Bran­den­burg. Wobei die An­zahl der Min­er­alarten die von Rüders­dorf so­gar noch über­stei­gen dürfte. Im Ge­gen­satz zu Rüders­dorf kann man hi­er auch noch frei sam­meln und Funde sind im Prinzip garan­tiert. Die Ton­gruben lie­gen in der Nähe ... moreDiese Lokalität ist nach Rüdersdorf wohl der ergiebigste Fundort in Brandenburg. Wobei die Anzahl der Mineralarten die von Rüdersdorf sogar noch übersteigen dürfte. Im Gegensatz zu Rüdersdorf kann man hier auch noch frei sammeln und Funde sind im Prinzip garantiert. Die Tongruben liegen in der Nähe der Bundesstraße 167 westlich von Bad Freienwalde und sind von Berlin aus einfach zu erreichen. Wie schon anklingt, gibt es zwei Tongruben. Die Nordgrube baut noch und wird immer größer. Sie ist, wenn man aus dem Oderbruch kommt, schon von weitem als heller Fleck in den dunklen bewaldeten Hügelketten um Bad Freienwalde zu erkennen. Die zweite Grube liegt wenig entfernt im Hammerthal. Man fahre die Straße "Im Hammerthal" von der B167 ab und bis zum Ende durch. Man gelangt zu einem kleinen Parkplatz und wandere an der Jugendherberge vorbei in den Wald. Linkerhand läuft ein Zaun entlang, an dessen Ende man sich durch sumpfiges Gelände über einen kleinen Bach hinweg kämpfen muss. Nach einiger Zeit taucht die große Wand der alten Südgrube auf. Bei feuchter Witterung ist absolute Vorsicht geboten. Der Verfasser hat selbst schon mehrmals fast das Schuhwerk eingebüßt, der zähe Ton ist nicht zu unterschätzen.
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Die Bil­dung der Achate am Kar­ren­berg ist äußerst kom­plex und hoch­in­teres­sant. Erkenn­bar wird dies zum ei­nen an der Ab­folge der Min­er­al­i­sa­tio­nen im Man­del­bereich. In der di­rek­ten Umge­bung der größeren Man­deln kann man mit viel Glück ei­nen klei­nen Graphitein­sch­luss aus­ma ein Bei­targ von u.a. Klaus Sch ... moreDie Bildung der Achate am Karrenberg ist äußerst komplex und hochinteressant. Erkennbar wird dies zum einen an der Abfolge der Mineralisationen im Mandelbereich. In der direkten Umgebung der größeren Mandeln kann man mit viel Glück einen kleinen Graphiteinschluss ausma ein Beitarg von u.a. Klaus Schäfer chen, der von einigen Sammlern durch angenommene Bildung von Kohlenstoffgasen als mitverantwortlich für die Hohlraumbildung angesehen wird. Diese Graphiteinschlüsse wurden bei der Bildung des Schlotes, als dieser durch tiefer gelegen karbonische Schichten brach, mitgerissen. Die von aussen nach .... Ein Beitrag von Klaus Schäfer
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