Alain Hanson's Photo Gallery
UYH-MVHPollucite (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12)·2H2O , Schorl NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Frosty Pollucite crystals on schorl (Sample 4 x 3 cm)
2XU-9PKPetalite LiAl(Si4O10) , Albite Na(AlSi3O8) , Lepidolite
These Petalite blocky crystals were described by Raimbault (1998). Surprising new find of the summer 2011, this sample is from the lower underground levels of the Chedeville quarry. (Picture is 7 x 5 cm). The grey petalite is quite fresh in white albite with a partial rim of lepidolite. In these samples coatings of cacoxenite and other secondary phosphates have also been found and are under investigation.
See also http://www.geoforum.fr/topic/3740-mineraux-des-pegmatites-francaises/page__st__700 on the subject
VN2-19CBeryl (Var: Emerald) Be3Al2(Si6O18) , Schorl NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Beryl var. Emerald (crystal is 0,4 x 0,7 cm). A combination of a single bright green quite gemmy emerald crystal with radiating schorl in a quartz feldspar matrix.
Collected in 2011.
9KU-F1FVarlamoffite (Sn,Fe)(O,OH)2 , Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Field of View: 50 mm
Sample of yellow coatings of varlamoffite with muscovite in quartz-greisen from Type Locality : Kalima, Pangi, Maniema, D.R. Congo.
K7R-RQ7Cassiterite SnO2 , Varlamoffite (Sn,Fe)(O,OH)2 , Quartz SiO2 , Topaz Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2 , Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Field of View: 40 mm
Cassiterite in quartz vein from greisen, with yellow coatings of varlamoffite from Type Locality : Kalima, Pangi, Maniema, D.R. Congo.
TEU-9D1Pyrophyllite Al2Si4O10(OH)2
Dimensions: 330 mm x 220 mm
This very large pyrophyllite sample was collected in the Margraff underground quarry (lower level).
X0L-N6PBazzite Be3Sc2(Si6O18)
Electric blue bazzite complex crystals (biggest is 5 mm) on quartz and adularia from this newly published locality (find 2011)(Picture is 2 x 2.6 cm).
6MK-0X2Pyrargyrite Ag3SbS3
Old specimen from Mizpah shaft showing a pyrargyrite complex crystal (7 mm long) on altered galena
View of the quarry from the West
The quarry as seen from the West of level-2(stand 2011/10/11). Photo illustrates workings on level-3, the beginning of the new level-4 and strata of Lochkovian quartzites and schists affected by Hercynian metamorphism of low P - medium T conditions.
View of the quarry from the East
The quarry as seen from the East of level-1 and showing works on level-3 with new level 4 in the background (stand 2011/10/11). Photo illustrates the numerous fractures cross-cutting Lochkovian rocks affected by Hercynian metamorphism of low P - medium T conditions. Occurrence of zeolites, with prehnite and pumpellyite in these fractures is explained by a smooth retrograde cooling path ...(Hatert and Theye, 2005)
