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Mooreite

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LMB165953

Mooreite

Type Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Sterling Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, United States of America
Class: 
Massive/Crystalline
Size Range: 
Museum (18cm plus)
Size: 
15 × 24 × 4 cm
Weight: 
2 015.00gr
Description

The Sterling Mine is the type, and for all practical purposes, only, locality for mooreite. (The other known locality, the Auguste-Victoria Mine in Germany, has produced no photographs on Mindat.) Mooreite is not known from the Franklin Mine.  At the Sterling Mine, mooreite was uncommon, but, as can be seen from this specimen, it could be locally abundant.

The mooreite on this specimen covers perhaps 80-85% of the “front” of the specimen and perhaps 10-15% of the “back”. The mooreite is pale amber, platy, and transparent/translucent. Viewed “head-on” it is not apparent that it is there. But, when illuminated at the right angle, mooreite is very reflective, so I have provided several full-view photos using different reflections to show where the mooreite is. (But it is very difficult to photograph the reflections without getting “blowouts”, while at the same time keeping the rest of the specimen visible. So shadows and highlights have been adjusted a bit – not hugely - so as to get photos that better resemble what you would actually see with the naked eye.)

Because of the size of the specimen, it may not be clear from the full-view photos that the moorite is not just a thin coating. I have provided a a couple of micro close-ups (FOV 4.5 x 6.8 mm and 6.7 x 3.9 mm resp.) that hopefully show not only the platy nature of the mooreite, but also provides some idea of the thickness of the “crust”. Overall it probably ranges from ca 1 mm to perhaps as much as 4 mm.

This is a “museum-size” specimen. Unfortunately that means that postage for non-USA buyers will also be “museum size”. The “silver lining” is that postage for any additional items is fairly nominal. By using a “Medium Flat Rate Box”, I can ship up to 20 lb (9 kg) for $48.50 to Canada and $70 to all other destinations. (However, it might be best if this item is shipped by itself, with any other items in a seaparete box.)

For USA buyers, things are not so bad. I will use a medium USPS Priority Box. This also allows up to 20 lb (9 kg) for the quoted rate.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Mooreite

Formula: 
Mg92Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26·8H2O
Strunz: 
7.DD.45
Hardness: 
3.0
Type Locality: 
Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
LMB minerals

Seller Information

Payment options: offline, paypal_wpp, paypal_wps

Seller's terms and conditions

In addition to the standard terms and conditions, please note the following. Almost all IDs are visual. While in most cases the ID is obvious, there may be cases where it is not. If you are doubtful about a particular ID, please ask for more information. Or do not bid! Similarly, if you are not sure that the specimen meets your criteria, do not bid. I have tdone the best I can with the photos. Nevertheless, if you are not happy with a specimen for any reason, I will refund the bid price – but not the shipping costs (unless the fault is clearly mine) – if the specimen is returned. This policy applies even if analysis of the specimen shows that my ID was incorrect. When in doubt, ask - or don’t bid. Note that most crystals at MSH and Varennes are micros - even if on large specimens. Please pay attention to the stated sizes. Any customs duties, fees etc. are the responsibility of the buyer.