Bronzite is a fascinating and often overlooked mineral whose warm, metallic sheen has attracted collectors, lapidaries, and geologists alike. As a member of the pyroxene group, it occupies an important place in the study of igneous and metamorphic processes while also serving practical roles in jewelry and ornamental stone markets. This article explores bronzite from […]
The Lucky Friday Mine occupies a prominent place in the mining history and present-day economy of northern Idaho. Located within the renowned Silver Valley of the Coeur d’Alene district, this long-lived underground operation has produced millions of ounces of silver together with significant quantities of base metals. The mine’s story reflects the region’s geology, evolving
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Brazilianite is a striking and relatively rare phosphate mineral prized for its intense yellow-green color and often slender, prismatic forms. Found primarily in granite-derived pegmatites, it occupies a curious place between serious scientific interest and the world of gem and mineral collecting. This article explores where brazilianite occurs, why it forms, what makes it valuable,
The Midas Mine is one of the historic and still-notable mineral occurrences in the western United States. Located in the mineral-rich landscapes of the Great Basin, it has produced both gold and silver from veining and replacement-style deposits, and its story ties together geology, frontier history, modern mining techniques and local economic development. This article
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Bournonite is a striking and scientifically interesting mineral that has attracted the attention of mineralogists, collectors and materials scientists alike. Known for its characteristic metallic luster and often elaborate twinned crystals, it is a sulfosalt whose composition and structure link it to both classic ore-mineral parageneses and modern research into chalcogenide materials. This article surveys
The Greens Creek operation on Alaska’s Admiralty Island is one of North America’s most notable base- and precious-metal mines. It combines a remote, rugged setting with sophisticated underground mining and processing, producing large quantities of silver alongside significant amounts of zinc and lead, with gold and copper recovered as byproducts. This article explores the mine’s
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Barium sits among the heavier members of the alkaline earth group and attracts attention for its contrasting roles in industry, medicine and the environment. This article explores where barium can be found in nature, how it behaves chemically and physically, the many ways humans extract value from it, and the safety considerations that accompany its
The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping transportation, energy systems, and global industry. Central to this transformation is the battery — its chemistry, design, and the raw materials that enable high performance. Among those materials, cobalt has been a focus of concern due to supply risk, ethical issues, and cost. This article explores
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Boulder Opal is a striking and uniquely Australian variety of opal that captures attention with its vivid flashes of color against a natural ironstone matrix. Often admired for its durability and dramatic contrast, this gemstone has carved out a special place in both the gem trade and in cultural lore. This article explores the geological
The Rosemont Project is a proposed large-scale copper development in southern Arizona, situated in the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains roughly southeast of the city of Tucson. Designed as an open-pit porphyry copper operation, the project has drawn attention for its potential to supply significant quantities of copper — a metal central to modern
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