Micromount Club Zoom Sessions
Early in 2020, when Covid first hit, and the world went into varying degrees of lockdown, I set up a Zoom session for members of the Facebook Micromount Club Group. It was attended by people all around the world and...
Subscribe to Mineral Matters
Mineral Matters is a new regular newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox. News items may include any topic relevant to minerals or related subjects. Recipients can comment or like individual posts. And it is free! You can subscribe to...
The Illustrated Minerals of Australia – Volume 1 – Electronic Edition
Now available here. There are more than 1,500 species recorded in Australia, and this publication aims to illustrate more than half of those. Australia also has 186 Type Locality minerals (and counting). There are 715 full-colour pages in this first volume...
Select Locations in Victoria, Australia
Click on the link below for a map of Victoria with clickable links for mineral localities. Minerals of Victoria Over time, I will be adding more locations, and more maps.
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 9…
…is now available here. This month, in this 84 page full-colour issue we have the following articles:
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 8…
…is now available here. This month, in this 96 page full-colour issue we have the following articles:
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 7…
…is now available here. This month, in this 74 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Check out previous issues here.
Some highlights of Volume 1 of the Illustrated Minerals of Australia…
A short video highlighting some of the minerals included in the first volume of the Illustrated Minerals of Australia. Much gratitude goes to all of the people that have provided specimens and/or photos!
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 6…
…is now available here. This month, in this 120(!) page full-colour issue we have the following articles:
Crocoite Reveal
Crocoite and pyromorphite from the Platt Mine, Dundas, Tasmania revealed in all its glory.
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 5
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 5 is now available here. This month, in this 71 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: See here for other issues.
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 4
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 4 is now available here. This month, in this 79 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: See here for other issues.
Mimetite – A Collector’s Guide
Mimetite is a popular mineral among collectors, and is a lead arsenate mineral. It is usually found in the oxidised zone of lead ore deposits, and occurs a variety of habits including flat tabular hexagonal crystals, long prismatic hexagonal crystals,...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 3
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 3 is now available here. This month, in this 78 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: See here for other issues.
Exploring Analcime – a Mineral Collector’s Guide
If you’re a mineral collector, then you have likely encountered the zeolite mineral analcime. So in this post, we’ll discuss what this is, where it is found, its chemical and physical properties, and its uses. Analcime is a sodium aluminum...
Cerussite in Australia: A Close Look at this Lead Carbonate Mineral
There are many localities where you can find cerussite in Australia, and it is common in many other parts of the world. Cerussite is a lead carbonate mineral which is by and large found in the oxidized zone of lead-zinc...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 6 issue 2…
…is now available here.This month, in this 77 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Illustrated Minerals of Australia Volume 2, Part 5 – Erionite to Evansite. The next installment of a significant undertaking documenting the 1,500 or so...
The Beauty of Corundum – a Look at Sapphire
Many civilizations throughout history have treasured the precious gemstone sapphire. As a matter of fact, Royalty have coveted its deep blue hue making it one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. It is incredibly scratch resistant and durable...
Rhodochrosite, a Collector’s Guide
Introduction Rhodochrosite is a pink or red mineral with a long history of appreciation by mineral collectors. It is also popular with jewellery artisans. Its unique colour makes it a favourite for many. This blog post will discuss what makes...
Azurite – The Ultimate Guide to the Copper Mineral Collectors Covet
Azurite, a copper carbonate mineral, formula Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2, has long been a favourite among mineral collectors. This deep blue mineral is prized for its intense colour and crystal formations. But what exactly is azurite, makes this mineral so special, and what...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 6 no 1
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 6 Issue 1 is now available here. This month, in this 82 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: New and Redefined Minerals, November 2022, and Tucson! Illustrated Minerals of Australia Volume 2, Part 3...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 5 no 12
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 5 Issue 12 is now available here.This month, in this 72 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Minerals and Elements: Aluminium – The next in the series on elements and minerals. This month, we...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 5 Issue 11…
…is now available here. This month, in this 91 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Southwest Mine, Bisbee Arizona. This month, Rolf takes us to an old historic mine very close to the township of Bisbee, Arizona. Minerals...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 5 Issue 10
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 5 Issue 10 is now available here. This month, in this 69 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Locality Snippet – Wheal Remfry, Cornwall. A look at the China Clay industry in Cornwall, and...
2023 Mineral Calendars
2023 Mineral Calendars are now available. This year, they are being produced in two sizes: Ledger size (11″x16.5″) for US and Canada A3 (29.7x42cm) for the rest of the world These calendars contain a selection of my photos that have...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 5 Issue 9…
…is now available here. https://sorrellpublications.com/index.php/2022/09/15/monthly-mineral-chronicles-volume-5-issue-9/ This month, in this 64 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: 2022 Ballarat Gem and Mineral Show Gold on Copper from the Carmen de Andacollo Mine, Chile. Rolf tells us about some interesting...
Ballarat Gem Club Show…
…is on this coming weekend. I will be there demonstrating my mineral artwork.
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 5 Issue 8…
…is now available here. This month, in this 88 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: In case you missed it… Locality Snippet – Ma’ale Adumim, Palestine, a locality with some interesting and unique minerals and geology. Mineral Snippet...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 5 issue 7…
…is now available here. This month, in this 93 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Mineral Snippet – Henmilite. Hardness and the Hardness of Minerals. Do you know the difference between indentation hardness, rebound hardness, and scratch hardness?...
The Platt Mine, Dundas, Tasmania
This video is focussed on the Platt Mine, Dundas, Tasmania, best known for its specimens of crocoite and pyromorphite. It takes me back. I collected underground here at the Platt Mine many many years ago. I was in the pyromorphite...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 5 issue 6…
…is now available here. This month, in this 63 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Locality Snippet – French Guiana. Illustrated Minerals of Australia Volume 1, Part 16 – Clausthalite to Cobaltaustinite. The next installment of a significant...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 5 issue 5…
…is now available here https://sorrellpublications.com/index.php/2022/05/15/monthly-mineral-chronicles-volume-5-issue-5/ This month, in this 67 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Minerals and Elements: Boron – The next in the series on elements and minerals. Boron occurs mainly in borates and borosilicates. Locality...
Micromount Club Zoom Session 22 07
Micromount Club Zoom Session 22 07 – Introduction to WordPress is now available here. I walked through the basics of WordPress and explained how I set up and use my site, pebblecollection.com, for cataloguing minerals. Check out previous videos here.
Tea Tree Gully Gem and Mineral Show
Last weekend, I headed over to South Australia to visit the Tea Tree Gully Gem and Mineral Club Show. Here is a short video report…
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 5 issue 4…
…is now available here. This month, in this 70 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Locality Snippet – Bieber, Germany. The Bieber area is the Type Locality for bieberite and rösslerite. Mineral Snippet – Newberyite. James tells us...
A Collector’s Guide to the Minerals of Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia
This Collector’s Guide is now available as either an electronic issue or as a printed book. The Lake Boga quarry in northwest Victoria has been known to produce a range of interesting minerals. More than 70 species have been identified,...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 5 issue 3…
…is now available here sorrellpublications.com/index.php/2022/03/15/monthly-mineral-chronicles-volume-5-issue-3 This month, in this 91 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Editorial Sample Mineral Collection – Rolf tells us about the different types of collections he used to make. Minerals and Elements: Lithium...
Gold in Victoria
Gold, n.:“A soft malleable metal relatively scarce in distribution. It is mined deep in the earth by poor men who then give it to rich men who immediately bury it back in the earth in great prisons, although gold hasn’t...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 5 Issue 2…
…is now available here https://sorrellpublications.com/index.php/2022/02/13/monthly-mineral-chronicles-volume-5-issue-2/ This month, in this 81 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Minerals and Elements: Helium. – The next in the series on elements and minerals. A Location Named China Camp near Wickenburg Arizona...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 5 Issue 1…
…is now available here https://sorrellpublications.com/index.php/2022/01/14/monthly-mineral-chronicles-volume-5-issue-1/ This month, in this 85 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Minerals and Elements: Hydrogen – The first of a series on elements and minerals. Washington Camp – Duquesne, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 4 issue 12…
…is now available here https://sorrellpublications.com/index.php/2021/12/16/monthly-mineral-chronicles-volume-4-issue-12. This month, in this 121 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Editorial The Graulai Quarry in the Volcanic Eifel in Germany. Henk describes recent finds from this prolific micromineral-producing locality in Germany. Mineral...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 4 Issue 11…
…is now available here sorrellpublications.com/index.php/2021/11/12/monthly-mineral-chronicles-volume-4-issue-11. This month, in this 79 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Mineral Snippet – Genthelvite. James tells us everything we need to know about this rare beryllium mineral. Illustrated Minerals of Australia. Volume...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles vol 4 issue 10
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 4 Issue 10 is now available here. This month, in this 80 page full-colour issue we have the following articles: Editorial Scottish Mineral Show. Been missing mineral shows? Dagmara reports on the recently-held Scottish Mineral Show....
Byaduk Caves, Western Victoria
Went out for a drive today to see the Byaduk Caves on the western slope of Mount Napier, western Victoria. Mount Napier is thought to have erupted around 40,000 years ago, so geologically is still young. The volcano is mainly...
Broken Hill Under the Scope
Broken Hill Under the Scope is a presentation held on Zoom today, and is now available on YouTube…
Mineral Chronicles vol 4 issue 9…
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 4 Issue 9 is now available here. This month, in this 73 page full-colour issue, we have the following articles: A short note on the occurrence of Molybdenite at Mount Stronach, Tasmania. Having visited and collected...
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 4 Issue 8
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 4 Issue 8 is now available here.This month, in this 82 page full-colour issue, we have the following articles: Illustrated Minerals of Australia Volume 1, Part 6 – Babingtonite to bayldonite. The next installment of a...
Mindat Photo of the Day!
I got a Mindat Photo of the Day (again) with this ilmenite specimen from Lethbridge Quarry, Victoria.
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 4 Issue 7
Monthly Mineral Chronicles Volume 4 Issue 7 is now available. This month, in this 104 page full-colour issue, there is lots of blue! And we have the following articles: Mineral Snippet – Goosecreekite Turquoise in Massive and Crystal Forms –...
Mindat Photo of the Day!
I got a Mindat Photo of the Day with this aragonite specimen from Ben Lomond, New South Wales.