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MINERAL OF THE WEEK
#82052, Azurite, Tsumeb Mine, Namibia (t) $175
News and CommentsI give up. I am no longer going to chase after the new names of mineral species as the IMA revises them. The IMA has systematically confused the nomenclature. They are trying to make mineral names consistent, but in their efforts, they have managed to make them inconsistent. One example is the mineral species Apophyllite. It used to be simply that: Apophyllite. Then they divided that species into several smaller species: Fluorapophyllite, Hydroxyapophyllite and Natroapophyllite. Then they adopted the new system of using suffixes and changed the names to Apophyllite-(KF), Apophyllite-(KOH) and Apophyllite-(NaF). Then the names have been changed AGAIN (for the third time in 15 years) to Fluorapophyllite-(K), Fluorapophyllite-(OH) and Fluorapophyllite-(Na). Note that when they did the same with Stilbite, they renamed them Stilbite-Ca and Stilbite-Na. Do you see the inconsistency that they did not use parentheses? You can bet they are going to revise either stilbite or apophyllite sometime in the near future. And have you seen what's happened (or happening) to the tourmaline group? Look at these proposed tourmaline species:
Note that Feruvite does not have a hyphen, but fluor-uvite does. Only one uses the suffix-type naming. Inconsistent, inconsistent, inconsistent...And what a mess! And let's not forget that the IMA, in their infinite wisdom, eliminated the mineral species Apatite, Lepidolite, Biotite, Wolframite, Zinnwaldite. Yes, that is correct -- they are not valid mineral species, in spite of the fact that they've been around for 150 years. Don't get me started with amphiboles! As a result of this craziness, and a lot more, I am no longer using revised IMA-approved species until any new nomenclature has been in use for 20 years. I am reverting to apophyllite, stilbite, and will stubbornly refuse to eliminate biotite and lepidolite. When this problem first started about 15 years ago, I cornered Joe Mandarino, the author of the best reference of mineral names: The Glossary of Mineral Species. Before the Internet this was the final reference for what the proper mineral names accepted by the IMA and Joe was one of the most respected mineralogists alive. I asked him if using "Apophyllite-(KF)" was mandatory or if "Apophyllite" was acceptable. He responded that it is perfectly fine to use the simplified names, especially when the exact species has not been determined by definitive testing. He also pointed out that there is no easy test for lepidolite (which is now a Mineral Group name that covers the species Polylithionite and Trilithionite) because testing for lithium is impossible due to it being a very light element. So if it was OK for Joe Mandarino, it is OK for me. John H. Betts 6/27/2023 Click here to read past news and commentaries...
Customer Feedback:"I originally stumbled upon your page trying to figure out A decent way to DIY a gemstones Specific Gravity. I read your CRAZY SUPER SIMPLE 5 step instructions using a scale and cup of water....I thought to myself.... "DUH". Seriously though. I can't believe I hadn't thought about that. Then I noticed at the top of the page you had a INCREDIBLY TINY "home" link... So I clicked on it. You should really make that larger... For real. I am so so glad I saw that tiny HOME link. Anyways...I know we're all busy. Just wanted to tell you... Well... THANK YOU! YOUR ENTIRE SITE IS AMAZING! you keep things easy and real without making it confusing. I can SO appreciate that." Lori H. "The mineral museum is the best. I love it. I can't stop looking at everything. Thanks John for putting it together." T. Valenti "Hi John, I received the fluorites today! I just wanted to reach out and thank you sooo much for amazing service, quality and price. I was blown away at the Elmwood specimen! Absolutely rich in color and condition is 100! The size of Minerva fluorite is amazing, the condition, color, zoning (which surprised me when backlit) is so nice!! I'm so please to add these to my collection! Thank you so much John!" Jon W. Click here to see other comments about this site by customers. Also add your feedback...
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