| Aragonite is a calcium carbonate, chemically identical with calcite. The mineral calcite, however, differs from Aragonite due to its internal crystal structure. While the crystal system of calcite is trigonal, the system of aragonite is rhombic. Dense masses of small aragonite crystals are difficul ... moreAragonite is a calcium carbonate, chemically identical with calcite. The mineral calcite, however, differs from Aragonite due to its internal crystal structure. While the crystal system of calcite is trigonal, the system of aragonite is rhombic. Dense masses of small aragonite crystals are difficult to distinguish from calcite, but they are larger, they show a distinct habit. A lot of chapters in this portrait will give you much more details about this interesting mineral. Written and investigated by Peter Seroka. (Article in german) |
| After the discovery of silver deposits in Christiansdorf - the now called Freiberg - over the time the mining was also expanded on the upper mountain. Thus from about 1240, the tin deposits (with the beginnings of subsurface mining also silver) around Ehrenfriedersdorf was mined. By finding rich si ... moreAfter the discovery of silver deposits in Christiansdorf - the now called Freiberg - over the time the mining was also expanded on the upper mountain. Thus from about 1240, the tin deposits (with the beginnings of subsurface mining also silver) around Ehrenfriedersdorf was mined. By finding rich silver adits in the 2nd third of the 15th Century the great mountain towns like Schneeberg (municipal law since 1477) and Annaberg (municipal law since 1496) was founded. (Article in german) |
| In the late Middle Ages massive amount of Baryt which phosphoresced when it was gently heated, were discovered in Italy. This stone was named after its place of discovery "Pietra fosforica di Bologna" (phosphorescent Bologna stone) and was of great interest to alchemists. Although the name baryte ha ... moreIn the late Middle Ages massive amount of Baryt which phosphoresced when it was gently heated, were discovered in Italy. This stone was named after its place of discovery "Pietra fosforica di Bologna" (phosphorescent Bologna stone) and was of great interest to alchemists. Although the name baryte has been assigned centuries later, it may be assumed that the Bologna stone is the first description in the literature. A portrait about this famous mineral by Peter Seroka. |
| ... Da offene Flammen häufig zu Explosionen von Methangas in Kohlebergwerken führten, schrieben Grubenbesitzer einen hoch dotierten Preis zur Erfindung einer explosionssicheren Lampe aus. So wurde die Davy-Lampe entwickelt. Das Geheimnis war ein simples, engmaschiges, Drahtgitter um die offene Flamm ... more... Da offene Flammen häufig zu Explosionen von Methangas in Kohlebergwerken führten, schrieben Grubenbesitzer einen hoch dotierten Preis zur Erfindung einer explosionssicheren Lampe aus. So wurde die Davy-Lampe entwickelt. Das Geheimnis war ein simples, engmaschiges, Drahtgitter um die offene Flamme. Dieses Gitter verhindert, durch Wärmeableitung, die Entzündung von Gas außerhalb der Lampe. Die Weiterentwicklung war der Einsatz von wiederaufladbaren Akkus statt ... Ein Beitrag von Peter Seroka und Wilhelm W. |