American Minerals!
While I typically focus on minerals from other countries, COVID has somewhat forced me to look a bit more locally. This update contains a group of specimens from the USA, with an emphasis on the midwest. When this region is mentioned most people default to thinking about the old southern Illinois fluorite mines, or the (rather boring for the relative homogeneity of its specimens, in my opinion) Elmwood Mine. But this region is also dotted with hundreds of quarries that supply everything from crushed stone for roads and sand for glass, to the raw materials from cement and even animal feed. At many of these, minerals such as calcite, celestite, and barite are encountered. While it would be impossible to list specimens from all of these locations, I have tried to post at least one specimen from as many of the main (and a few rather obscure) localities as possible. In some ways, if nothing else, this update can actually even be a quick reference to the main localities in the area.
List
Grid
MWU01 Fluorite
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
13.4x 8.2x 5.1 cm
$1800
A very beautiful example of blue over yellow fluorite, from the famous Southern Illinois Fluorspar district. A second generation of blue fluorite has overgrown the yellow, making for a particularly striking color combination.
MWU02 Calcite
Pugh Quarry, Weston, Wood Co., Ohio, United States
24.3x 16.9x 13.0 cm
$800
A large cabinet example of orange calcite, from the Pugh Quarry in northwestern Ohio. It's rather amazing that something this big can be so clean of damage! Calcites from this location often have this distinctive, more saturated orange color.
MWU03 Celestite
Maybee, Monroe Co., Michigan, United States
16.2x 10.8x 5.3 cm
$385
A cluster of large blue celestite crystals from Michigan. Most of the celestite on the market comes from Madagascar, but the American midwest has quite a few localities for the mineral -- Maybee (also known for its sulfurs) probably produces some of the most saturated blue examples , and is also notable for the size of the crystals that come from there. This may have been sprayed with something.... this comes from a field collector who is notorious for this..... in fact just today I found another piece of his that had been assembled. Who said it was just a Pakistani/ Chinese problem?
😂
MWU05 Sphalerite with Marcasite
G.P. Materials Quarry, Potosi, Washington Co., Missouri, United States
13.3x 7.1x 3.7 cm
$465
A particularly sculptural specimen, this is an example of deep reddish sphalerite balls on a matrix coated with sparkly marcasite. This piece comes from a 2016-2017 find in Eastern Missouri.
MWU06 Barite
Linwood Mine, Buffalo, Scott Co., Iowa, United Statesoo
7.3x 6.3x 3.8 cm
$385
An unusual barite crystal (for this location) from a recent find-- you maybe used to seeing more a more elongated, prismatic barite habit from Linwood, though this is the first time I can recall seeing the more tabular, almost rhomb-like crystals that are typically encountered elsewhere. The main crystal sits rather nicely on its matrix, and the crystal is not colored by the silt inclusions that usually give Linwood barite the more muddy color..
MWU07 Fluorite
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
5.2x 3.0x 2.9 cm
$225
A beautiful miniature sized example of blue and yellow fluorite.
MWU08 Quartz var. Amethyst
Reel Mine, Lincoln Co., North Carolina, United States
10.5x 5.2x 2.4 cm
$285
A nice example of a North Carolina amethyst, there are a couple chips but its still a pretty good example of an American amethyst.
MWU09 Calcite on Barite
Georgetown Quarry, Scott Co., Kentucky, United States
9.5x 7.3x 6.1 cm
$365
Although the Southern Illinois fluorspar district gets a lot of attention from collectors, there is also a Central Kentucky fluorspar district. This piece comes from a quarry just north of Lexington, and features a perfectly terminated calcite crystal on a barite matrix.
MWU10 Galena
Eagle Picher Mine, Tri-State Lead Zinc District, Oklahoma United States
9.0x 8.3x 3.3 cm
$185
A beautiful example of cubic galena crystals with interesting cube-octahedral overgrowths, all on a chert matrix. Specimens from this area are frequently labeled "Joplin", "Picher", or "Treece", though the truth is that the exact localities were often not preserved, and a number of the mines even connected underground, sometimes across state lines. This one seems to have a specific mine attributed to it, though when it comes to Tri-State I tend to take it with a grain of salt.
The last mine here closed in 1967, and the area later became a Superfund cleanup site.
MWU11 Sphalerite on Dolomite
Tri-State Lead Zinc District, Oklahoma-Kansas-Missouri Border Area, United States
12.7x 10.2x 5.6 cm
$175
A classic example of sphalerite on dolomite, from the Tri-State district. Along with the clean chert matrixes, these dolomite covered examples were another hallmark of specimens from his area.
MWU12 Calcite with Fluorite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
8.1x 6.6x 3.5 cm
$245
A somewhat hard to find combination specimen from one of the more well known Midwestern quarries. You usually see calcite specimens, or fluorite specimens, but you don't often see both species together on the same rock. This is primarily a calcite specimen, but there are a couple purple fluorites off to the side.
MWU12A Calcite
Pugh Quarry, Weston, Wood Co., Ohio, United States
12.5x 9.8x 5.3 cm
$285
A nice cabinet sized example of calcite from the Pugh Quarry, in Ohio.
MWU13 Calcite with Fluorite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
4.9x 3.6x 4.3 cm
$195
A somewhat hard to find combination specimen from one of the more well known Midwestern quarries. You usually see calcite specimens, or fluorite specimens, but you don't often see both species together on the same rock. This is primarily a calcite specimen, but there are a few purple fluorites clinging to the main cluster.
MWU14 Calcite with Fluorite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
8.5x 4.7x 3.7 cm
$250
A somewhat hard to find combination specimen from one of the more well known Midwestern quarries. You usually see calcite specimens, or fluorite specimens, but you don't often see both species together on the same rock.
MWU15 Fluorite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
6.4x 5.5x 3.5 cm
$125
Along with the purple fluorites, Auglaize is also known for its iridescent browns. This one hundreds of small brown crystals lining a vug (the typical habit for the iridescent pieces from here) with light iridescence, and a single small purple fluorite.
MWU16 Calcite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
10.0x 5.1x 2.7 cm
$185
A very nice example of calcite from the Auglaize Quarry, in northwestern Ohio.
MWU17 Calcite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
8.4x 6.5x 4.1 cm
$165
A nice example of calcite from the Auglaize Quarry, in northwestern Ohio.
MWU19 Pyrite Brachiopod
Sylvania, Ohio, United States
5.9x 4.2x 3.4 cm
$88
A pyritize brachiopod from Ohio-- I always find it interesting when some pieces are both good mineral *and* fossil specimens. Decently sized for this material.
MWU20 Calcite in Fossil Clam
Rucks Pit, Fort Drum, Okeechobee Co., Florida, United States
8.5x 7.6x 5.3 cm
$165
A nice example of a fossilized clam shell filled with yellow-orange calcite crystals, sitting on a bit of matrix.
MWU21 Fluorite
Clay Center, Ottawa Co., Ohio, United States
7.8x 7.3x 3.4 cm
$145
A vug lined with small brown fluorite crystals, from a 2017-2018 discovery at the Stoneco Quarry in Clay Center, Ohio.
MWU22 Fluorite with Celestite
Clay Center, Ottawa Co., Ohio, United Statesy
8.7x 6.2x 3.0 cm
$100
A vug lined with small brown fluorite crystals, and several celestite blades, from the Stoneco Quarry in Clay Center Ohio.
MWU22A Calcite
Linwood Mine, Buffalo, Scott Co., Iowa, United Statesoo
7.8x 6.8x 5.9 cm
$135
A nice example of calcite from the Linwood Mine, near the Mississippi River that forms the border between Illinois and Iowa. This mine primarily produces two calcite habits-- this one, and then he pointed scalenohedrons, often with marcasite inclusions. This mine is best known for its barite, though in my opinion the calcites are the real stars.... the barite crystals are just big.
MWU23 Calcite
Fletcher Mine, Viburnum Trend District., Missouri, United States
9.7x 8.0x 8.5 cm
$175
A nice example of yellow calcite on matrix, from the Fletcher Mine in eastern Missouri.
MWU24 Calcite
Fletcher Mine, Viburnum Trend District, Reynolds Co., Missouri, United States
11.9x 7.2x 7.2 cm
$185
A nice example of yellow calcite on matrix, from the Fletcher Mine in eastern Missouri.
MWU25 Calcite
Fletcher Mine, Viburnum Trend District, Reynolds Co., Missouri, United States
10.6x 8.1x 7.0 cm
$180
A nice example of yellow calcite on matrix, from the Fletcher Mine in eastern Missouri.
MWU26 Galena
Buick Mine, Viburnum Trend District, Iron Co., Missouri, United States
9.0x 5.7x 5.5 cm
$195
A hefty specimen of octahedral galena crystals from the Buick Mine, in eastern Missouri.
MWU27 Calcite
Maumee Stoneco Quarry, Maumee, Ohio, United States
12.6x 9.0x 7.6 cm
$325
A calcite specimen from a somewhat unusual Midwestern locality. The American midwest is dotted with quarries that produce everything from the raw materials for cement to glass; calcite occurs at a number of these though they rarely make it to the large shows. This is a particularly good example from the Maumee Stoneco Quarry-- larger than most I've seen, and displaying the typical mottled color.
MWU28 Calcite
Graymont Dolime Quarry, Genoa, Ohio
5.0x 3.0x 3.1 cm
$68
A calcite specimen from a somewhat unusual Midwestern locality. The American midwest is dotted with quarries that produce everything from the raw materials for cement to glass; calcite occurs at a number of these though they rarely make it to the large shows.
MWU29 Calcite
France Stone Co. Quarry, Logansport, Indiana, United States
10.3x 7.7x 7.5 cm
$425
A calcite specimen from a somewhat unusual Midwestern locality. The American midwest is dotted with quarries that produce everything from the raw materials for cement to glass; calcite occurs at a number of these though they rarely make it to the large shows.
I've never seen another from here and there are only three on Mindat-- it's quite a substantially sized crystal for such a random, unheard-of locality
MWU30 Calcite
Toledo Glass Sand Quarry, Silica, Ohio, United States
8.8x 8.3x 5.6 cm
$85
A calcite specimen from a somewhat unusual Midwestern locality. The American midwest is dotted with quarries that produce everything from the raw materials for cement to glass; calcite occurs at a number of these though they rarely make it to the large shows.
MWU31 Calcite
Cavestone Quarry, Norristown, Indiana, United States
10.4x 5.7x 6.3 cm
$78
A calcite specimen from a somewhat unusual Midwestern locality. The American midwest is dotted with quarries that produce everything from the raw materials for cement to glass; calcite occurs at a number of these though they rarely make it to the large shows.
MWU32 Calcite
Rensselaer Stone Co Quarry, Pleasant Ridge, Indiana, United States
13.8x 6.4x 6.8 cm
$235
A very large calcite specimen from the Renseallaer Quarry. In good condition, though a couple cleaves. This is one of the less obscure midwestern locations, being known for its marcasites in addition to these calcites. I recall talking to a field collector who visited the site-- he said the rock was always full of hydrocarbons, and after a day of collecting clothing would be badly stained by the black oozing material. On this specimen, you can actually see little bits of the stuff in small vugs near the base.
The American midwest is dotted with quarries that produce everything from the raw materials for cement to glass; calcite occurs at a number of these though they rarely make it to the large shows.
MWU33 Calcite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
9.0x 4.0x 2.8 cm
$145
A particularly large/ long calcite crystal from the Auglaize quarry in Ohio. Minor chips
MWU34 Fluorite
Liter's Quarry, Breckinridge Co., Kentucky, United States
9.2x 6.0x 3.1 cm
$175
An old example of purple fluorite with a yellow core, from a 1981 discovery at an obscure locality in Kentucky.
MWU35 Calcite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
3.7x3.1x 1.9 cm
$60
A nice example of a doubly terminated, lightly colored calcite crystal from the Auglaize Quarry.
MWU36 Calcite on Dolomite
Black Rock Quarry, Lawrence Co., Arkansas, United States
6.5x 3.3 x 2.1 cm
$78
A beautiful example of a light yellow calcite on pink dolomite, from Arkansas. At first glance it looks very Tri-State, except it isn't!
MWU37 Sulfur
Maybee, Monroe Co., Michigan, United States
2.8x 1.9x 2.7 cm
$60
A great sulfur thumbnail from Maybe, Michigan. When it comes to good sulfur, most people think of Italy-- but the US actually has a semi-obscure locality in Michigan that occasionally produces crystals capable of matching those (though not the large plates of crystals.). These are just thumbnails, however.
MWU38 Sulfur
Maybee, Monroe Co., Michigan, United States
3.6x 2.2x 2.0 cm
$60
A great sulfur "toenail" from Maybe, Michigan. When it comes to good sulfur, most people think of Italy-- but the US actually has a semi-obscure locality in Michigan that occasionally produces crystals capable of matching those (though not the large plates of crystals.). These are just smaller samples, however.
MWU39 Sulfur
Maybee, Monroe Co., Michigan, United States
3.0x 2.0x 1.7 cm
$60
A great sulfur thumbnail from Maybe, Michigan. When it comes to good sulfur, most people think of Italy-- but the US actually has a semi-obscure locality in Michigan that occasionally produces crystals capable of matching those (though not the large plates of crystals.). These are just thumbnails, however.
MWU39A Calcite
York Co., Pennsylvania, United States
10.0x 7.0x 5.6 cm
$100
A decently sized example of calcite from Pennsylvania.
MWU40 Sulfur
Maybee, Monroe Co., Michigan, United States
3.6x 2.2x 1.9 cm
$38
A great sulfur "toenail" from Maybe, Michigan. When it comes to good sulfur, most people think of Italy-- but the US actually has a semi-obscure locality in Michigan that occasionally produces crystals capable of matching those (though not the large plates of crystals.). These are just smaller samples, however.
MWU41 Celestite
Portage, Ohio
8.1x 3.4x 0.9 cm
$78
A nice example of an elongated, relatively flat celestite crystal from Ohio with light phantoms. Most of the celestite you see on the market is from Madagascar, but there are quite a few localities in the American midwest that produce good examples of the species as well.
MWU42 Calcite
Lehigh Cement Quarry, Mitchell, Indiana, United States
5.6x 4.6x 2.7 cm
$68
A nice example of calcite from yet another obscure midwestern location, this one a cement quarry in Indiana.
MWU43 Calcite with Celestite
Newport Quarry, Monroe Co., Michigan, United States
8.5x 6.7x 4.4 cm
$88
A nice example of calcite with cerestite from Newport Michigan. This location is notable for the distinctive clusters of orange-yellow calcites, and the pale opaque celestites. These is a decent combination specimen, though the back of the cerestite's termination is incomplete-- it seems like it might have grown up against something.
MWU44 Galena
Sweetwater Mine, Reynolds Co., Viburnum Trend Dist., Missouri, United Statese
21.5x 18.0x 9.5 cm
$880
A very large galena specimen from the Sweetwater Mine, this thing weighs around 15 lbs. The central crystals are sharp and clean, though there is the damage around the edges you would expect from a piece of this size.
MWU45 Calcite
Berry Materials Corp. Quarry (North Vernon Plant), North Vernon, Jennings Co., Indianay
4.1x 4.0x 3.5 cm
$215
A beautiful example of lustrous orange calcite from the Berry Materials Quarry. These relatively unknown calcites are probably my favorite examples of the species from anywhere-- they tend to have a more orange/ honey color , and often have this distinctive somewhat rounded shape.
MWU46 Calcite
Berry Materials Corp. Quarry (North Vernon Plant), North Vernon, Jennings Co., Indianay
3.2x 2.8x 2.7 cm
$120
A beautiful example of lustrous orange calcite from the Berry Materials Quarry. These relatively unknown calcites are probably my favorite examples of the species from anywhere-- they tend to have a more orange/ honey color , and often have this distinctive somewhat rounded shape.
MWU47 Calcite with Celesite
Newport Quarry, Monroe Co., Michigan, United States
8.5x 6.7x 4.4 cm
$95
A nice example of calcite with a partial light blue celestite crystal, splaying the typical yellow, clustered calcite crystals from his location.
MWU48 Barite
Rosiclare Level, Victory/Crystal Mine Complex Area, Cave-in-Rock Dist., Illinois
13.4x 6.3x 4.5 cm
$225
A nice cabinet sized barite specimen mined in the 1950's (according to the old Ross Lillie dealer label). Not perfect, but a good, nearly 70 year old example of barite from this important American locality.
MWU49 Calcite
Pugh Quarry, Weston, Wood Co., Ohio, United States
10.5x 8.7x 7.0 cm
$165
A nice sample of orange calcite from another Midwestern locality whose specimens are seldom seen at the larger shows, or internationally. This piece displays as shown, but is sheared on the bottom and back.
MWU50 Fluorite
Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Paulding Co., Ohio, United States
4.7x 4.3x 4.6 cm
$115
Auglaize is best known for its purple phantom fluorite, though it also produces these interesting iridescent brown ones. These is a decent example, consisting of a vug lined with smaller crystals in sedimentary rock (the typical habit.)
MWU51 Calcite incl. Marcasite
Conco Mine, Kane Co., Illinois, United States
2.9x 2.5x 1.7 cm
$28
A nice thumbnail sized example of calcite from the Conco Mine, located fairly near Chicago. This piece is included in the update mainly to be able to list another locality, but it's actually a cute little piece in its own right.
MWU52 Calcite
Meshberger Quarry, Columbus, Bartholomew Co., Indiana, United States
5.2x 2.6x 2.3 cm
$65
A nice example calcite from one of the better known Midwestern localities, though not entirely typical-- for one thing it's a twin, and for another the main termination is usually pointy; they tend to be somewhat flatter. It also has the later generation of calcite overgrowths that are typical for Meshberger calcites.
MWU53 Galena
Tri-State Lead Zinc District, Oklahoma-Kansas-Missouri Border Area, United States
6.6x 3.2x 3.5 cm
$75
A nice example of galena from the old Tri-State district. I'm including this one in the update because of the sharp octahedral galena crystals-- you see a lot of cubes, a fair amount of dodecahedrons, and even dodecahedral modifications on cubes (or vice versa) and even spinel twins, but I feel like I rarely see such sharp galena octahedrons. This is very old, considering the last mine in the area closed in 1967.
MWU54 Calcite
Vulcan Materials Co. Quarry, Monon, White Co., Indiana, United States
7.8x 4.0x 3.3 cm
$65
Another calcite from an odd location, this one an aggregate quarry in rural northwestern Indiana-- actually not too far from Rensselaer.
NF625 Calcite
Berry Materials Corp. Quarry (North Vernon Plant), North Vernon, Jennings Co., Indiana
5.4x 5.1x 3.0 cm
$345
A choice group of honey colored calcite crystals from the Berry Materials quarry. These are probably some of my favorite American calcites, both for their unusual, generally rounded form (vs. the rhombs and scalenohedrons that you find everywhere else) and their spectacular luster.
This one sits on a sliver of matrix. There is only one tiny (~1mm) sub-surface nick near the top, other than that it's perfect.
