| 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) |
| Rhodochrosit dürfte aufgrund seiner auffallend rosaroten Farbe zu den ältesten Schmucksteinen der alten Welt gehören, was u.a. durch archäologische Funde von Grabbeigaben in alten äygpischen Gräbern belegt ist. Ob dieses Mangancarbonat bewusst oder gezielt abgebaut wurde, ist nicht bekannt. Sicher i ... moreRhodochrosit dürfte aufgrund seiner auffallend rosaroten Farbe zu den ältesten Schmucksteinen der alten Welt gehören, was u.a. durch archäologische Funde von Grabbeigaben in alten äygpischen Gräbern belegt ist. Ob dieses Mangancarbonat bewusst oder gezielt abgebaut wurde, ist nicht bekannt. Sicher ist jedoch, dass die alten Ägypter Manganerze aus dolomitisierten Kalksteinen in der östlichen Wüste und auf der Halbinsel Sinai abbauten, wo mit Sicherheit auch Rhodochrosit vorkam und als Nebenprodukt zur Schmuckherstellung diente. |
| 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. |