Tephroite, Willemite, Zincite - Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, NJ
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:31676113 | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
| Franklin Mineral Museum: Mineral species |
A miniature-sized specimen of tephroite with calcite and zincite. Here we have a section of pale brown, dull to semi-vitreous tephroite. The tephroite is embedded in a matrix of coarse, opaque, white calcite. Associated is the inclusion of willemite within the tephroite. The willemite fluoresces as if in a geometric pattern, a bright green, and the calcite fluoresces a bright red under shortwave (254nm) ultraviolet light. This fluorescent geometric texture is known as an exsolution tex...ture. Exsolution is a process whereby an initially homogeneous solid solution (a mineral) separates into two (or possibly more) distinct crystalline phases without addition or removal of material, i.e., without a change in the bulk composition. It generally, though not necessarily, occurs on cooling.
The Sterling mine is the type locality of tephroite and was named in 1823 by Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt from Greek τεφροζ "tephros" = ash-colored, alluding to the usual gray color of the mineral though in this example here it is brown. Brown tephroite is likely to be the most common color of tephroite in the Sterling mine and easily mistaken for brown willemite but rejected by collectors as being poorly fluorescent. (Willemite was a common constituent as an inclusion in the tephroite in the Sterling mine.) And tephroite is a member of the olivine group. Crystal sections of tephroite were uncommon but were seen in several locations underground in the Sterling mine. They were on occasion abundant on the 1100-foot level in the Footwall of the East Vein. In addition to the tephroite is an orange, resinous veinlet of zincite working through the specimen. There are several angular sections of black, metallic franklinite next to the tephroite. This is a good beginner's example of this mineral species and ideal for the singular mineral species collector.
Dimensions are 6.5x5.7x3.8cm - 2½x2¼x1½in. Please note the centimeter cube and inch bar for scale.Weight in grams and ounces: 177.1g - 6.25oz.From the Sterling mine, Ogdensburg, NJ.
The previous collection this specimen was in is #170, Albert Furman.
#170 is the museum's Collection Sale number previously offered in the museum shop.
>>> We do COMBINED SHIPPING for multiple items. To request an invoice from us that combines shipping ALWAYS, click the Add to cart button on eBay to add items until you are done. DO NOT PROCEED to checkout, instead click the Request Total from Seller button. <<< === There is an instructional video on how to request combined shipping is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvDe7Fg7R4Q ===
All potential buyers need to be aware that being able to view fluorescent minerals requires an ultraviolet lamp. Most of the minerals from the Franklin and Sterling Hill zinc mining district fluoresce under shortwave ultraviolet light. The shortwave wavelength is 254nm or otherwise known as UV C. Always read the description carefully to determine if the main mineral of interest for a particular specimen will fluoresce. ALL fluorescent minerals depicted in our storefront are illuminated by two (2) 9 watt Triple short/mid/longwave AC Model 9SM-110 Way Too Cool LLC ultraviolet lamps, and the shortwave tubes and filters were replaced in late 2018. There are several available brands and models of ultraviolet lights on eBay and other online sources. For further information on ultraviolet light and fluorescent minerals, copy and paste the following and go to >>> geology.com/articles/fluorescent-minerals.
>>>> We Buy Collections <<<<
DISCLAIMER: Every reasonable effort was made to accurately identify the mineral specie(s) noted in each specimen. The occasional label from previous collection(s) may misidentify some species, and the current title and description here reflect the latest mineral specie(s) identification. A modest effort was made to depict a fluorescent specimen accurately as possible. In some cases, overexposure should be expected in select photographs to compensate for a weak response of a fluorescent specimen. All buyers should exercise safe viewing practices regarding the use of ultraviolet light. Visual dark adaption is highly recommended in the optimal viewing of fluorescent minerals. Buyers should also be aware of what type of lighting to view the specimens under. This can result in perceived differences of color and contrast due to color and contrast shifting under various kinds of lights available.All photographs were taken with a Nikon D5300 digital camera with a Nikon DX AF-S 18-55mm lens attached with a UV filter. Lighting was done with a pair of OSRAM 8.5 watt LED A19 5000K 800 lumens bulbs in brushed aluminum reflectors. The photographs were processed on a color-calibrated flat panel monitor. Do note the Imperial measurement conversion is the nearest equivalent to the listed metric measurement.
--- All photographs appearing on this listing or any other Franklin Mineral Museum listing are the property of the Franklin Mineral Museum. Photographs can be used strictly for personal use only. Otherwise, the photographs posted here are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws. They are not to be downloaded or reproduced for public use or distribution in any way without the written permission of the Franklin Mineral Museum. ---
The Sterling mine is the type locality of tephroite and was named in 1823 by Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt from Greek τεφροζ "tephros" = ash-colored, alluding to the usual gray color of the mineral though in this example here it is brown. Brown tephroite is likely to be the most common color of tephroite in the Sterling mine and easily mistaken for brown willemite but rejected by collectors as being poorly fluorescent. (Willemite was a common constituent as an inclusion in the tephroite in the Sterling mine.) And tephroite is a member of the olivine group. Crystal sections of tephroite were uncommon but were seen in several locations underground in the Sterling mine. They were on occasion abundant on the 1100-foot level in the Footwall of the East Vein. In addition to the tephroite is an orange, resinous veinlet of zincite working through the specimen. There are several angular sections of black, metallic franklinite next to the tephroite. This is a good beginner's example of this mineral species and ideal for the singular mineral species collector.
Dimensions are 6.5x5.7x3.8cm - 2½x2¼x1½in. Please note the centimeter cube and inch bar for scale.Weight in grams and ounces: 177.1g - 6.25oz.From the Sterling mine, Ogdensburg, NJ.
The previous collection this specimen was in is #170, Albert Furman.
#170 is the museum's Collection Sale number previously offered in the museum shop.
>>> We do COMBINED SHIPPING for multiple items. To request an invoice from us that combines shipping ALWAYS, click the Add to cart button on eBay to add items until you are done. DO NOT PROCEED to checkout, instead click the Request Total from Seller button. <<< === There is an instructional video on how to request combined shipping is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvDe7Fg7R4Q ===
All potential buyers need to be aware that being able to view fluorescent minerals requires an ultraviolet lamp. Most of the minerals from the Franklin and Sterling Hill zinc mining district fluoresce under shortwave ultraviolet light. The shortwave wavelength is 254nm or otherwise known as UV C. Always read the description carefully to determine if the main mineral of interest for a particular specimen will fluoresce. ALL fluorescent minerals depicted in our storefront are illuminated by two (2) 9 watt Triple short/mid/longwave AC Model 9SM-110 Way Too Cool LLC ultraviolet lamps, and the shortwave tubes and filters were replaced in late 2018. There are several available brands and models of ultraviolet lights on eBay and other online sources. For further information on ultraviolet light and fluorescent minerals, copy and paste the following and go to >>> geology.com/articles/fluorescent-minerals.
>>>> We Buy Collections <<<<
DISCLAIMER: Every reasonable effort was made to accurately identify the mineral specie(s) noted in each specimen. The occasional label from previous collection(s) may misidentify some species, and the current title and description here reflect the latest mineral specie(s) identification. A modest effort was made to depict a fluorescent specimen accurately as possible. In some cases, overexposure should be expected in select photographs to compensate for a weak response of a fluorescent specimen. All buyers should exercise safe viewing practices regarding the use of ultraviolet light. Visual dark adaption is highly recommended in the optimal viewing of fluorescent minerals. Buyers should also be aware of what type of lighting to view the specimens under. This can result in perceived differences of color and contrast due to color and contrast shifting under various kinds of lights available.All photographs were taken with a Nikon D5300 digital camera with a Nikon DX AF-S 18-55mm lens attached with a UV filter. Lighting was done with a pair of OSRAM 8.5 watt LED A19 5000K 800 lumens bulbs in brushed aluminum reflectors. The photographs were processed on a color-calibrated flat panel monitor. Do note the Imperial measurement conversion is the nearest equivalent to the listed metric measurement.
--- All photographs appearing on this listing or any other Franklin Mineral Museum listing are the property of the Franklin Mineral Museum. Photographs can be used strictly for personal use only. Otherwise, the photographs posted here are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws. They are not to be downloaded or reproduced for public use or distribution in any way without the written permission of the Franklin Mineral Museum. ---
