These minerals illustrate the breadth of specimens found in the United States and Canada. Most of the minerals on display were the by-product of mining operations for copper, lead, zinc and other metals. The term “lunch box” specimen can be applied to some, as miners often removed fine crystal specimens during work hours, sparing them from the ore crushers. There have been few ventures strictly for the mining of mineral specimens.
Pyromorphite, Level 9, Jersey Vein, Bunker Hill Mine, Kellogg, Shoshone County, Idaho (5 inch
x 5 ½ inch).
Apophyllite, Centreville, Fairfax County, Virginia (5 ¾ inch x 5 ¾ inch).
Calcite, Crystal River Quarry, Lecanto, Citrus County, Florida (2 inch x 2 ¼ inch).
Serandite, Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie, Quebec, Canada (2 inch x 3 ¼ inch). Photo courtesy Michael J. Bainbridge.
Uranophane, Madawaska Faraday Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada (2 inch x 2 inch). Photo courtesy Michael J. Bainbridge.
Quartz, Spruce Ridge, King County, Washington (5 ½ inch x 6 ½ inch). Photo courtesy Michael J. Bainbridge.
Calcite, Sweetwater Mine, Viburnum Trend District, Reynolds County, Missouri (4 ¾ inch x 5 ¾ inch). Photo courtesy Michael J. Bainbridge.
Azurite, Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona (7 inch x 7 ½ inch).
Barite, Elk Creek, Meade County, South Dakota (6 inch x 6 ¾ inch). Photo courtesy Michael J. Bainbridge.