Dr. Brendan O'Connor's Photo Gallery
AJN-RJ9Dioptase CuSiO3·H2O , Quartz SiO2
Dimensions: 3.5 cm x 2.1 cm x .75 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 3.5 cm
This is the nicest example I have seen of clear quartz with dioptase from Milpillas. The quartz is terminated on both ends the splash of dioptase crystals on the back add another level of beauty.
L6M-482Wulfenite Pb(MoO4) , Fornacite Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH)
Dimensions: 2.7 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 50 mm
This is a second example of Wulfenite and Fonracite with slightly larger and more gemmy wulfenite crystals. This specimens was also tested 2/29/24 by Raman for mineral ID. This represents the first time these two minerals have been identified at Milpillas Mine.
6AA-3K4Wulfenite Pb(MoO4) , Fornacite Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH)
Dimensions: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm x .75 cm
Field of View: 3.5 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 30 mm
This represents the first documented Wulfenite from this mine. Found in late 2023 in the same tunnel as the Zincolivenites there have so far only been a small number of specimens recovered. Most have very tiny crystals. Fornacite was tested on 2/29/24 by Tony Gleckler via Raman.
9H2-RVVAnglesite PbSO4 , Galena PbS
Dimensions: 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 1.0 cm
Another exciting find from the sulfide ore body in late 2023. A small pocket of ice clear anglesite crystals on a matrix of galena. This is the first time these two species and been added to the mineral list for Milpillas mine. A large number of the anglesites are included with a black mineral which is in the process of being tested by Evan Jones via Marcus O. Also found in the pocket was quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite and cerrusite.
E0A-39WMimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl , Alunite KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 , Quartz SiO2
Dimensions: 5.0 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 1.0 cm
First discovered while deep in the sulfide ore body in late 2022 but kept very quiet till mid 2023. Found in the same tunnel as the Zincolivenites of late 2022/23. The pocket has produced several crystal forms including pure gem crystals. Large double terminated crystals with yellow caps were also discovered. These are also fluorescent under short wave UV light.
This will be the first addition to the mineral record for this species. It was just published in the MinRec Vol 55 Jan-Feb 2024
LNR-X4MMottramite PbCu(VO4)(OH) , Dioptase CuSiO3·H2O
Dimensions: 6.3 mm x 2 mm x 1.8 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 3 mm
Mottramite was first identified in 2019 and the first lead mineral to be added to the species list for Milpillas. They occurred as tiny up to 3mm green blebs on and inside dioptase. These came from the 992 Level. (In this specimen you can see about 8-10 small dark green blebs inside the thin coating of dioptase.)
XQU-99NAtacamite Cu2(OH)3Cl
Dimensions: 9 cm x 9 cm x 2 cm
Field of View: 9.0 cm
One of a small number of specimens recovered in 2015. Originally mis-identified as brochantite it was later properly indentified at the U of A lab by Marcus Origlieri
5WE-1YLTuranite Cu5(VO4)2(OH)4 , Cuprite Cu2O
Dimensions: 12 cm x 4 cm x 2.5 cm
Field of View: 8.0 cm
Turanite was not commonly seen and identified back in 2016 by Marcus Origlieri at the U of A on this cabinet specimen of cuprite on goethite.
FJC-DNDChenevixite Cu2Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)4 , Quartz SiO2
Dimensions: 3.5 mm x 2.5 mm x 1.5 mm
Field of View: 3.5 cm
This was from a small pocket in 2019 which produced some nice chenevixite coated quartz crystals and conichalcite as well. Not all the specimens had the yellowish colored chenevixite but most of them had conichalcite. Specimes were identified by Jim McGlassen.
K44-RH2Conichalcite CaCu(AsO4)(OH) , Quartz SiO2
Dimensions: 4 cm x 3 cm x 2 cm
Field of View: 4.0 cm
Conichalcite has been found a few times in mines history. This pocket had quartz crystals covered in a nice lime green coating on conichalcite with some minor chenevixite. All species were identified by Jim McGlassen.
