| Das Mineral Zirkon ist als Schmuckstein bereits seit der Antike bekannt. Schon im Altertum war der Zirkon als Edelstein bekannt und wurde an einigen der weltweit ältesten archäologischen Ausgrabungsstätten gefunden. Er taucht in verschiedenen alten Schriften auf, darunter in der Bibel und einem Hind ... moreDas Mineral Zirkon ist als Schmuckstein bereits seit der Antike bekannt. Schon im Altertum war der Zirkon als Edelstein bekannt und wurde an einigen der weltweit ältesten archäologischen Ausgrabungsstätten gefunden. Er taucht in verschiedenen alten Schriften auf, darunter in der Bibel und einem Hindu-Gedicht über den mythischen Kalpa-Baum (Kamana Kalpa Vraksha), der mit Blättern aus Zirkon geschmückt gewesen sein soll. Einige Quellen erwähnen eine jüdische Legende, in der ein Engel namens „Zirkon“ vorkommt, der ... Ein Beitrag von Peter Seroka |
| 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. |
| Report about a geologic - and geology of deposits excursion through central and southern Namibia as well as the Namaqualand bordering to the South and parts of the Northern cape in autumn, 2009., Amongst other localities in Namibia the author visited the tin deposit Uis, the explorations project Na ... moreReport about a geologic - and geology of deposits excursion through central and southern Namibia as well as the Namaqualand bordering to the South and parts of the Northern cape in autumn, 2009., Amongst other localities in Namibia the author visited the tin deposit Uis, the explorations project Namib Lead near Swakopmund, as well as the important mines Rosh Pinah and Scorpion Zinc in the south of Namibia. In the Republic South Africa the trip led to the copper mining region of Okiep as well as the lead zinc mines of Aggeneys and, finally, to the Kalahari manganese ore districts of Postmasburg and Kuruman. (Full text in german) |
| „Was soll nur aus meiner Micromount-Sammlung werden, wenn ich selbst einmal nicht mehr sammeln kann? Sie enthält doch Stücke von einmaliger Ästhetik, von längst erloschenen Fundstellen oder größter Seltenheit. Das alles droht unterzugehen, weil nach mir niemand den Wert erkennt, der in den zunächst ... more„Was soll nur aus meiner Micromount-Sammlung werden, wenn ich selbst einmal nicht mehr sammeln kann? Sie enthält doch Stücke von einmaliger Ästhetik, von längst erloschenen Fundstellen oder größter Seltenheit. Das alles droht unterzugehen, weil nach mir niemand den Wert erkennt, der in den zunächst unscheinbar wirkenden Döschen steckt.“ Dieser Gedanke wird bei vielen Sammlern von Micromounts diskutiert. Dabei wird die oben genannte Befürchtung immer wieder geäußert. Weniger häufig wird eine andere Frage offen angesprochen, die aber dennoch viele Sammler bewegt: „Soll meine Sammlerleistung, ein wichtiger Teil meines Lebens, gänzlich in Vergessenheit geraten?“ |
| 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. |
| 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) |