Minerals and Cutting Rough

About mid-January, we will be attending a major trade-show.  We expect to expand our offerings of minerals, Lapidary cutting-rough, and possibly even antiques.

These shows are largely unpredictable.  That is, one never knows what dealers, materials, or even countries will be represented. Therefore, we thought it might be smart to ask what 'things' you would like us to watch-for.  If you respond, it will not be treated as an "order", so you are under no obligation to buy anything you suggest.  We would just like to know what our clients and customers desire.  Then, if we are able to locate a good value, we'll offer it for sale through our store.

If you have a particular item in-mind that you would like for us to locate, please contact us through our website.  Please be sure to include your email address, as the software does not capture any information about you that you do not explicitly enter.

We look forward to your input!

Mammoth Fossils

Mammoths are some of the more famous members of the Order Proboscidea.  The Order Proboscidea includes elephants, mastodons, gompotheres, and other less-well-known animals with a pronounced 'proboscis'.   Mammoths flourished across much of of the northern hemisphere starting about 150,000 years ago, and ending about 10,000 years ago.  The Woolly Mammoth (Mammothus Primigenius) is arguably among the best represented of extinct animals on earth, due to their preservation in permafrost in the arctic.

The Latin root of the word "fossil" literally translates "having been dug up".  And fossils may be completely mineralized (like the wood found in the petrified forest in Arizona), or there may be little or no mineralization.  Heavily mineralized mammoth fossils are fairly rare, and usually limited to very old specimens.

The very best mammoth fossils frequently have almost no mineralization.  In the permafrost of Siberia and Alaska, very well preserved teeth and tusks are found which have not changed much since the animal died.  This 'fossil ivory' is highly sought for carving or other artistic use.  Similarly, the bones preserved in ice have very little mineralization, and require little special treatment to assure their continued enjoyment.  Unfortunately, access to these frozen beauties has become limited by legislation in their respective countries.

Another source of mammoth fossils are the relatively shallow seas which were dry, or covered by ice, during the ice-ages.  Modern fishing 'trawlers' drag the bottom of these seas in search of bottom-dwelling fish.  From time-to-time, their nets catch bones and teeth which have been submerged since the last ice age.  The fossils generally have a significant degree of mineralization...especially salt.   Special techniques are required to draw as much of the salt out of these fossils as possible.  And, these fossils tend to be somewhat fragile and ill-suited for carving or cutting.

Some mammoth fossils are found in fresh water, especially in Florida.  These fossils tend to be well preserved and somewhat mineralized.  Suitability for carving/cutting varies widely.  And, it would be highly recommended that each specimen be closely examined for any use other than display.

Mammoth fossils are also found in terrestrial locations.  The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota is well worth the trip and admission fee (although none of these fossils are for sale).  Mammoth fossils of terrestrial sites tend to be fragile, mineralization may range from minimal to substantial.  One would have to carefully examine each fossil for use other than display specimens.

Among the more common mammoth fossils are their teeth.  Mammoths (and modern elephants) grow six sets of molars in a typical life-span.  A "spit" tooth is a molar that has been shed in the normal process of an old tooth being worn-out and replaced by a new molar.  Curiously, the molars are constructed of alternating layers of enamel and dentin.  The dentin, being softer, wears more rapidly than the enamel, resulting in a constantly effective grinding surface (vs. a tooth that would have worn 'smooth' if all the same hardness).

The information above is the result of research, conversations, and observations.  And, reflects my opinions and experience.  We hope you will find it helpful.  But please, use this as only a starting-point for your research.

Christmas Gift Ideas - 2010

We've been notified that Crystal Moon Gallery will be featured in the upcoming Fort Worth Weekly Holiday shopping guide.  Specifically, they are featuring gifts under $10, and Carl Linde's hammered copper bracelets were selected from our store.

Continuing that train-of-thought, I thought it might be appropriate to mention some of the inexpensive items which were not selected by FW Weekly.  Although certainly not comprehensive, we thought we'd highlight some of the items under $20.  Please remember that these items are one-of-a-kind, or in very limited supply.

Karl Hoffman hand-forms some fascinating letter-openers by splitting wood from the Bois d'arc tree (among the hardest woods in North America).  He does not use a saw, but relies upon he natural grain of the wood to define most of the shape.  The result is curvy, beautiful, and a tactile delight.  $10.

Dale Miller still has a couple original cast sterling silver rings being offered at $10.

Wayne Mandrell has polished amber, with identified bugs, starting at $10.  These are small pieces, and the bugs are tiny, but the price is amazing.

Sandi McFarland offers hand-thrown and hand-carved pottery, several of which are offered at $10 to $15.

Teresa Sanchez offers many of her hand-thrown pottery items at $15.

Dyan Johnson, Margaret Laughlin and LaNelle Tadlock each offer hand-made earrings in the $12 to $20 range.

In addition to the bargains above, during the Christmas season we will be running sales on metal art by Eli, paintings by Svetlana, Meteorites, and even 19th century tools.  Some may question giving tools as gifts, but they are collectible, attractive, and give a masculine aura to an office space without treading on any politically sensitive areas.

We hope you will think of us as you compile your Christmas list.  If anyone on your list appreciates the unique, original, or one-of-a-kind, we think we can help your search.

Mineral Collecting with a Purpose

Most of us appreciate the beauty of minerals.  And, many of us will purchase individual mineral specimens that we find compelling.  We at Crystal Moon Gallery would like to suggest that mineral collecting with a specific purpose or objective in-mind can be educational, motivational, and Fun!

If one studies mineralogy, there is a potential to be entirely overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the field.  Many thousands of mineral species have been discovered and identified.  And the subtleties!  A single atom can significantly change the composition of a mineral...and result in a new mineral species.

And, let's not forget that some minerals are not very good for your health!  And, others are not very stable.  Cinnabar, a Mercury Sulfide, sometimes 'bleeds' elemental Mercury.  Realgar, an Arsenic Sulfide, forms beautiful deep-red crystals, but can alter to powdery yellow Orpiment or Pararealgar upon long-term exposure to air and light (which can be mitigated with specialized storage).

Collecting with a purpose allows one to: (1) narrow their focus to only those minerals of intense interest (2) establish themself as a local expert (3) avoid dangerous or unstable minerals (4) be motivated to find that next piece of the collection.

Collectors take a wide variety of approaches.  Following are some which we have seen first-hand:

• Fluorescent minerals.  Some minerals exhibit entirely different colors and textures under UV light.  Fluorescent minerals deliver bright colors, and a really unusual way of seeing minerals.  However, fluorescent minerals require special lighting.
• "Type Localities".  Many minerals are historically documented such that the first discovery is known.  Minerals from the location of first discovery/identification are the goal of this collector.  For example, Ajoite was first identified and named-for the Ajo mining district in Pima County, AZ.  Type locality collecting can allow wondrous variety in a collection, while keeping to a main theme.
• Unique species or groups.  We know one fellow who collects only the Garnet group of minerals.  With numerous unique species, and almost every imaginable color (except blue), the garnet group can deliver an amazingly colorful collection. 
• Crystal systems.  Most minerals form in a distinct pattern (e.g. Quartz is usually Hexagonal, and classified as such).  And some enjoy a collection of varying shapes in which minerals crystallize.  A variation would be a collection of crystal oddities...minerals that crystallized into unexpected shapes.

Not surprisingly, some will combine two or more of these example strategies.  For example, crystal oddities in the Quartz family could be a reasonably inexpensive and diverse collection.  The photo at the top of this post is of "skeleton" quartz (sometimes called window, jacare, or elestial quartz).  The steel pin is about 1 3/4" long, and is inserted about one-third of its length into an open chamber in the quartz crystal.  The prevailing theory is that the outer walls of the crystal grew more quickly than the inner areas, creating an enclosed, hollow, inner space, with an opening to the outside.

Here are Crystal Moon Gallery, we try to offer a wide variety of safe and stable mineral specimens.  And, we know quite a number of mineral dealers and collectors.  So that we can help you to fill-in the gaps in whatever collecting strategy you chose.

What's in a Name?

During our shopping trip to the Denver 'rock' shows, I became keenly aware of an amazing variety of pronunciations for the fossils and minerals on display.  I held my tongue and avoided saying something rude like "it is pronounced...".  But, on a couple of occasions, I may have stepped on toes by steadfastly holding to my own preferred pronunciation (rather than saying it their way).  Hopefully I didn't offend anyone.  But if I did, it was not intended.

I did observe just a couple people in active discussion over pronunciation.  But seriously, who REALLY KNOWS the correct way to pronounce Latin names?  I vividly remember being taught that Latin was chosen for medical and scientific names because it is a "dead language".  So, if it is a dead language, how can anyone be confident of the correct way to say those words?

And, of course, at an international type of show, there are cultural and language differences that one should respect...if for no other reason than to just be polite.

Anyway, what follows are some pronunciations observed among people for whom English was their primary language:

Trilobite:  TRY-lobe-ite, TRILL-o-bite
Sugilite: SU-jee-lite, SU-gill-ite, SHOO-gill-ite
Barite: BAY-rite, BEAR-ite
Fluorite: FLOOR-ite, FLOO-rite

Entertaining as this might be, we welcome all pronunciations at Crystal Moon Gallery.  And, please be patient with us if our pronunciation doesn't match yours.  ;-)

Painting Demonstration by Monte Wilson

On Saturday, 21 August, Monte Wilson gave a demonstration of the skills he has developed as an artist.  Somehow, I never quite finished this blog entry.  Please forgive the long-delayed posting.

Despite a recent broken-ankle, and borderline hostile work environment, Monte delivered on his scheduled painting demonstration.  Ridgmar Mall even allowed us to set him up in the common area near our front door.  This was both a blessing and a curse.  On the one hand, it allowed a number of people to watch Monte, who might not have otherwise entered the store.  On the other hand, there was also a children's event in the area known as "Macy's Court"...and the noise level drove quite a number of adults to seek sanctuary.  ;-)

After an extended break, Monte was able to complete the painting above.  All-in-all, a pretty impressive performance.  And, the high-bidder in a silent auction went home with a framed, original, oil-painting by Monte.

Monte has introduced a line of small originals, typically about 6" by 8".  And, in addition to his gallery and web presence, he is offering some of them via his ebay store.

Once again, I apologize for the delay in this posting.
David

Meteorites

Those of you that have met us know that we have a real enthusiasm for most everything in the store.  Most of the minerals, fossils, and even "Objets D'Art" are items that we have investigated for quite some time.  Meteorites are among our newest "enthusiasms". 

The technological advances of the last couple decades have greatly expanded the availability of nearly all collectibles.  That is to say that the internet has broadened the knowledge of collectors, and notified others of the "collect-ability" of items they own or can obtain.  This prompts more hunters and pickers, and stimulates new businesses.  This is especially true of meteorites.  

Stony meteorites are estimated by scientists to be the most common form of meteorite to actually reach the Earth.  More than 85% of meteorites are thought to be of the stony variety.  BUT, they are really difficult to find and identify, because for-the-most-part, they look like rocks.  Even chipped stony meteorites, examined under magnification, look like a rock to the untrained person.  For this reason, we do not offer stony meteorites at Crystal Moon Gallery.  An article at Geology.com gives some more detailed information regarding the types of meteorites.

Iron meteorites are generally thought to account for less than 6% of meteorite falls.  The meteorites that we offer are all of the Iron (aka Iron/Nickel) variety.  And, as of this writing are all from Campo Del Cielo in Argentina.  These are arguably the most affordable of all iron meteorites.  As you will see in the linked widipedia article, many tons of "Campos" have been recovered and are now on the market. This article at Geology.com gives more information on authenticating an iron meteorite.

Physical (external) features that one may find on iron meteorites include magnetic attraction, Regmaglypts, flow lines and high density (heavy for its size).  The American Museum of Natural History has a good, brief, article about these features.

Virtually all meteorites will attract a magnet.  This is due to them containing elemental iron.  Iron compounds frequently found on the surface of the Earth will not attract a magnet.  Hematite (the primary ore of iron), Iron Carbonates, Iron Sulfides (e.g. Pyrite), and most other common iron-bearing Earth rocks do not attract a magnet.  Obviously, Magnetite (lodestone) is an exception, but Magnetite rarely looks like a meteorite.

Regmaglypts are concavities in the surface of a meteorite that look very much like a child's thumb-prints in a piece of clay.  Regmaglypts are the feature most people look-for in a meteorite.  They are the result of molten metal being "blown away" during travel through the air.

Flow lines resemble candle-wax that has melted and dripped down a candle.  They are the result of the outer surface of a meteorite melting and flowing from the trip through our atmosphere.  Curiously, meteorites begin to cool as they travel in the lower part of our atmosphere.  That, combined with being essentially frozen on the inside (from eons in the cold of space), allows the flow lines to harden before contact with the ground.

Density is a tough subject to write-about.  But, once you handle a meteorite (or an iron cannonball, or a piece of steel plate, etc), you will understand the concept of a rock seeming too-heavy-for-its-size.  Our, when you visit our store, ask to handle our etched Campo.  Each half is only about 3-and-a-half pounds, but the density surprises most everybody.

A lot of people have never seen a meteorite.  Most have never touched one.  Campo Del Cielo meteorites allow one to have and hold a genuine meteorite from a distant asteroid or planet, at an affordable price.