THE SPAR BOX Spring 1997 Copyright 1997 Dr. Morton Metersky EDITORIAL The ICCA membership form I included in the last issue of the SPAR BOX is starting to be used by at least one of our members. The top two new members listed joined using a blue copy of that form. On a personal note, my shoulder surgeon released me from his care, four months ahead of schedule. He said I worked hard and earned it. I still have to exercise, but twice a day and then only once a day. That will begin in July and continue for a year. At the end of that time I'll call him and see if I can stop. But it wouldn't be too bad to continue doing once a day exercises to keep the shoulder nimble. I've resumed weight training, but at weights much lower than I had been using. Gradually , I'll get back to where I was before the accident. Have many of you had the opportunity to visit the web site ICCA is on? If you have an e-mail address, please send me a message so I can add it to your address listing. I've just received a CD called, "The Study of Minerals." This unique interactive product allows you to study minerals at your own pace from your present level of understanding. Learn what minerals are and how we depend on minerals in ways that you never thought about, or go straight to details of mineral analysis. Study gems and ores, then test your skill at mineral exploration. Learn how crystals form and explore their symmetry, chemical compositions and properties. Search the database for information about a particular mineral, or find internet sites that direct you to the latest information about mineral resources, mineral collecting, mineral research, museums and careers in mineralogy. The learning process is enhanced by animated interactive activities, abundant photographs, video clips and easy access to a glossary and database on mineral properties. I've been playing with it and find it very interesting and informative. Works on either a Macintosh or Windows computer. If interested, write Tasa Graphic Arts, Inc., 12800 Lomas Blvd. NE., Albuqerque, NM 87112-6264. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A new member, Chuck Inman, RR 1 Box 1372, Fort Edward, NY 12828, has sent in his first Letter to the Editor. I look forward to more, Chuck. I must apologize for being so tardy in responding to your letter of March 4th - I've been out of town much of the time since then. Thank you for the ICCA membership list. To answer your question regarding from whom I obtained an application form, it was Ken Hollmann, Center Rutland, VT. [Ed.: Way to go Ken!]. As I mentioned, I am not a calcite specialist, but was impressed by the issue of the SPAR BOX Ken showed me and thought, since calcite is represented by such great diversity of habits, I should expand my horizons by joining your organization. I am also retired (research chemist) and, although mineralogy is far from my only pastime, I do weekly volunteer work assisting in the curatorship of New York State Museum mineral collection in Albany (60 miles away), belong to a couple of nearby mineral clubs as well as the Fluorescent Mineral Society, and still manage to get out in the field perhaps half a dozen times a year. My personal catalogued collection - of all sizes but mainly TN and small cabinet - runs to about 2400 specimens, but are mainly reference material only and primarily emphasize sphalerites, fluorescent fluorites and NY state minerals. In general, Because of space limitations, I don't keep many duplicates around for trading. You mentioned a green fluorescing Sicilian aragonite, with which I am not familiar. About the only possibly comparable fluorescent rarity I have, and of which I do have duplicates, is red fluorescent fluorite from Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. The saturation is relatively low, but it is definitely orange-red lw. (At one time Robbins guessed the actuator might be trivalent Sm or Eu.) [Ed.:For those who don't know, Robbins wrote the definitive book on fluorescent minerals. He lives not too far from me and bought some of my Sicilian aragonite when I had a table at the Mineral Society of Pennsylvania Show several years ago. ]. The NYS Museum, by the way, although in recent years generally eschewing trading, will offer payment for unusual NY specimens which they don't have in their collection. I received a letter from one of our former members, Dr. Roger Warin, now retired, who is rejoining ICCA. Many of you have enjoyed his articles on calcite twins that are in the earlier volumes of the SPAR BOX. I have not received news from ICCA for a long time. As I am still extremely interested in admiring calcite's beautiful crystal forms and collecting them, I must say I have missed receiving the SPAR BOX. If, by chance, you are still active in this organization, I would be very much pleased to subscribe again [Ed.: Needless to say, I immediately sent Roger a letter and a copy of the Winter 1997 and all of the '96 issues of the SPAR BOX]. Please let me know the amount of dues for two years (1996 and 1997) and I will send you the money by return mail. Of course, I will even be more pleased to receive all the back issues of the SPAR BOX, those that were published in 1996. I hope your health is excellent and that ICCA remains active. Despite my retirement, I always have a lot of activities to keep me busy. The club of which I am President (AGAB-Liege), takes a lot of my free time. For example, this month I was asked to give a lecture describing the four twins of calcite. It is truly an interesting subject and it provides me an opportunity to examine sample in another way. In this order of ideas, one finds a lot of twins on {0001} in Belgian calcites, and even for the former (hemitropy on {0001} with plane of composition on {00.1} and also on {10.0} as so well described by Dr. R. Peter Richards in Rocks and Minerals (Vol. 69, 1994)). The twins on {01.2} are also found, but are scarce and of small size (less than or equal to 1 cm.). They are similar to the logo of the SPAR BOX (that I have the tendency to present upside down the review). On the other hand, twins {02.1} , reputed rare, are frequently found in Belgium, especially at the (here) famous quarry of Mont-sur-Marchienne. They can reach 20 cm. in height and involve characteristic prismatic development. The very famous "butterfly twin" or "heart twin" on {10.1} has been found only once in Belgium, according to a habitus where the two individuals involve a normal growth, without deformation. It is obviously a truly interesting subject. I have produced, with a friend, Mr. Jean-Marie Jonville, also passionate concerning calcites, 200 slides of calcite crystals, with corresponding sketches and crystal drawings using the "SHAPE" software program, tables, etc. [ Ed.: Roger, could this be made available to our members in English?] Another letter from our most prolific correspondent, Volker Haseloff, Schulte-Berge-Str. 22, D-45968 Gladbeck, Germany. It's time to write a few lines. Now I'm able to do it. The SPAR BOX shouldn't be an illness report. I only want to explain my silence. I had to stay in the hospital and at home six weeks with double pneumonia. Well, Mort is it right that you developed little "black humor." Nothing against it- I could smile. It's regarding your [Ed.: Not mine, I got it from another newsletter] safety article in the last SPAR BOX. I'm not talking about how flat you should be when you lie down to rest. There is a very good chance that the top will come down on you. I am very interested to know the way of a special calcite step. The occasion to bring the question into the SPAR BOX was the information that Victor Yount is a new ICCA member. Victor, you displayed an excellent calcite step during the Munich Mineral Days in 1990. It was shown in the extra boxes in the frame of the special show: "Calcite." The step I meant was described on the label with "Elbingerode/Harz." Would you be so kind to send me some information regarding the exact locality. Is it possible to get a photo of the step? I would be very pleased if you would send me this information. Regarding Larry's questions, I copied what I sent to Larry and enclosed a copy for you to print. Sometimes one has really happy moments. This could happen if a collector sees the thing... I want to describe it and it concerns a calcite step, of course. I had a little spare time so I went to a small exchange in Leipzig some time ago. The reason was my hope to find minerals from Harz Mountains, at least.The step is evident because of the unique appearance. The best knowledge of crystallography would be worthless. This step couldn't be described with scientific words. One must wake up over phantoms ... so I've two pictures in my mind. It looks like a castle [Ed.: Thanks for the picture - it's a beautiful specimen]. It is said the English have the words - my home is my castle.Think of a wall which encloses a court. Some towers and buildings standing there. One of them raised above the wall. The court is strewed with white-grayish sand. All buildings are translucent. For whom it is too European, he/she may read the next idea. Maybe this idea fits a little bit more for our members. Think you see an atoll at ebb from a birds-eye view. You see the outside ring which is nearly closed. Some smaller coral-massives grow inside the ring and divides the inside area into small bays and a central water plane. Because of the ebb you see the ground of the atoll. Greyish-white shells of the dead animals of the atoll. Slowly, the water rises and is level again. This little atoll has a diameter of 10 to 15 cm. The height is 12 cm and the weight is 2 kg. Locality? Dal'Negorsk, Russia. The matter below the "ground" is the base of the uncompleted crystal. I don't see any known plane at the outer side of the crystal. Was it interesting enough to let the phantom walk? Now something regarding a problem which is known more or less by everyone - rust and limonite and other iron-crusts on crystals. I make the proposal to clean with soda-water or in an ultrasonic bath. Regarding the mechanical stability of the step or crystal I can only say try it will be similar piece. But even if this doesn't provide a 100% guarantee. I think it is sure so don't do it if you see clear cleavage planes (your question, Mort). But often enough neither soda-water nor ultrasonic bath are able to clean crusts. Then you need chemicals. Another physical chemical method is the use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). A 15% solution is strong enough. To strengthen the effect of cleaning the temperature of the solution can be increased up to 50-60oC. Hydrogen Peroxide has a strong oxygenating effect so that the surface, especially of ore minerals, could be changed. I haven't used it for calcite but it seems to be too strong for calcite All other methods that I want to mention are pure chemicals. The most common liquids are: hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid H2SO4, nitric acid (HNO3) and ammonia water NH3 solution in water. These liquids are generally strong enough to clean steps from calcite but not to clean the calcite. Kaliumhydrogen oxalt (COOK)22H2O - this one has a higher pH value. This means this liquid is nearer to the neutral pH value than oxal acid. But, never the less, one is going to lose calcite in these organic solutions also. Looking through my literature found another described method. But with a "but" ... I want to quote, "1958 developed for the removal of iron oxides from earth probes. One needs: natriumnitrate (2 Na3C6H5O7 * 11H2O); natriumdithiomite (Na2S2O4); natriumbicarbonate ( NaHCO3). Prepare a mother solution with 71g Na-nitrate, 8.8g Na-bicarbonate and 1 liter distilled water. Put the piece to clean into the mother solution and add 1g Na-dithimite per each 50 ml (0.05 liter) of the mother solution which is needed to cover the piece. For information, it is possible to solve around 0.5 g Fe-oxide in 50 ml mother solution. Normally, the cleaning is finished after 4 to 8 hours. The mother solution stays active for 12 hours After this, the mother solution is oxidized and one has to prepare a new one if there remains any rust. If the piece is clean, put it into distilled water to dissolve the cleaning liquid. Generally, it is sufficient to exchange the distilled water three times during the 12 hours. So far so good. These words I can read in the original literature (Vogt, H. H.: Wie enfernt man Rost von Mineralien?; Mineralien Magazin, Heft 10/1983; Kosmos-Verlag) and in the secondary literature, which quoted the primary. The secondary literature: Vollstadt; Voigt; Vogel: Micro-mounts; Arbeitsbuch fur Mineralsammler; VEB Deutscker Verlag fur Grundstoff industrie, Leipzig, 1987). The "But" ... Whereas Vogt said: Don't use this method for soluble minerals. Likewise, it is dissuaded in case of calcium-containing pieces like calcite, because Na-nitrate shows the same behavior against Ca as it does to Fe:These ones are going to be dissolved." But Vollstadt;Voigt; Vogel wrote the following;"A method which works with less dangerous substances is given from Vogt. It should be also prefer comparing to oxalacid or oxalt because of less strength and it is not to fear an unintentional attack to determined minerals, for example, carbonates." What shall I say? I don't know who is right. I can't check it because of lack of chemicals. Maybe one of our ICCA members is able to respond to this regarding calcite. Because of my desire for a clear solution, I believe more in the following method. Last but not least, because I got to know the author some yeas ago. He is the author of the only scientific work (a study to get a diploma) in crystallography regarding calcites from the "GrubeEinheit/Elbingerode/Harz until now. He had the problem to find crystals good enough for optical measurement. Often he had such ones but they were covered with "brauneisen." To use these crystals he dissolved the brauneisen layers with citric acid. This method had to be successful because it was important to get an excellent optical crystal plane for measuring with a goniometer. Well, this should be all for today. I hope my handwriting was not too difficult for you to read, Mort. [Ed.: Volker, after all these years of reading your letters, I couldn't figure out only six words. I'm getting better at it all the time. Keep your letters coming.]. RESPONSE TO "CALCITE CHALLENGE" Here are some answers to Larry Hughes' Calcite Challenge; hope they're not too late! R. Pete Richards, 154 Morgan Street, Oberlin, Ohio 44074. 1. A basally twinned dipyramid can only be recognized with certainty by the twinned position of other modifying forms such as terminal rhombohedra or scalenohedra, or by the twinned position of the cleavage. Re-entrants at the equator would be faces of the same form in the same position as would be created by parallel growth in the absence of twinning, and thus, while suggestive of twinning, they would not prove it. I have several such twins, with the twinning shown by the positions of rhombohedral {10.1} faces on the termination. The hexagonal bipyramid {88.3} fades into a steep scalenohedron, which does show re-entrants. 2. I have dipyramids {88.3} twinned on both negative rhombohedron laws, i.e. on (01.2) and on (02.1), from Gotland, Sweden, and twinned on (01.2) from Erie County, Ohio. Whitlock's Calcites of New York mentions dipyramidal {88.3} crystals from Union Springs, NY and twinning on these same two laws plus (0001), but it is not clear if the twins have the dipyramidal habit, since there are other habits there as well. 3. I think it is necessary to rephrase the question to "Why are calcites composed primarily of dipyramids so rare?" Dipyramids are fairly common as modifying faces on crystals of which the habit is dominated by other forms, e.g. on many crystals from the Copper Country of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and on crystals from New York illustrated by Whitlock. The shallow dipyramid {11.3} is often present in the curved striated terminations common on many scalenohedral "dog-tooth spar" crystals, e.g. from Mississippi Valley type galena-sphalerite deposits (though it may be present just as striation facets, not as discrete faces). Crystals dominated by dipyramids are known from several locations in Ohio and Indiana; N.(?) Dakota (sand calcites); Union Springs and Lyon Mountain, NY; several locations in the Ottawa Valley of Canada; Gotland, Sweden; Mont Sur Marchienne, Belgium (I believe); and probably several others I've forgotten and a number I am not aware of. Most of these localities are sedimentary limestone deposits with low-temperature mineralization. I'm not sure dipyramidal calcites really qualify as rare, or at least they are more common than is often suggested in the literature. I speculate that this is because most of the early descriptive work occurred in Europe and on the East Coast of the US, where the geology is often metamorphic or igneous, an environment in which this habit is indeed rare. Crystals of the other rhombohedral carbonates show a smaller morphological range in general, though this may just be because they are not as ubiquitous. However, I think I have seen examples of dipyramidal rhodochrosite from Santa Eulalia and from the South African localities. Dolomite does not count, because it has a lower symmetry (point group bar-3), which does not have a hexagonal dipyramid. 4. See 3. 5. A list of all known localities for dipyramids would be too long to print. A generalized list of all the localities I know of at which dipyramid-dominant calcites occur is contained in 3 above. 6. I have dipyramids which contain phantom scalenohedra. I do not recall seeing any examples of (steep) dipyramids forming the phantom. For this to happen, the enclosing form would have to be quite steep indeed - only the prisms among common forms could swallow the typical steep dipyramid {883}. 7. The best dipyramid I've seen would be one of several I have collected in Erie County, Ohio, 3-4 cm long, with glossy flat faces, totally transparent with no trace of cleavage, and a honey orange color. A close second would be one from Kelleys Island, twice as large but not as flawless. In all cases they are {88.3} with modifications "chosen" from the forms {0001}, {10.1}, {02.1}, and {11.3}. Regards, Pete Richards p.s. A clarification about #2 above - I do NOT mean to say that I have individual crystals showing both twin laws, just that I have examples of each twin law... >:^) A second response to Larry's questions is from Volker Haseloff, Schulte-Berge-Str. 22, D-45968 Gladbeck, Germany. Some words on the dipyrimidal problem. 1. I've completed your drawing of the dipyramid. Before I go into an explanation, I want to mention a fact. Maybe this is superfluous, but nevertheless I want to say it. First of all: One characteristic isn't enough to recognize a supposed twin. The first thing to do is to look at the crystal to see if is symmetrically formed. The single crystal has to have the same form and type of crystal. Try to find a mirror-level so that an edge of the left side could be found in the same distance on the right side. The second point - easy also- is to look for reentrant edges, lines or angles. If the supposed twin does not have both characteristics, it's going to be complicated to determine whether it is a twin or not. The fact of reflection on the mirror-level isn't limited to the planes of the crystal but also valid for characteristics at the planes. This has to be caused by the growing laws of the crystallized matter. The best example for this are planes inside the crystal caused by the cleavage rhombohedron. Another possibility is to look for polysynthethic pressure twinning steps or lines at the surface of the crystals. Independent of the type of such lines, planes or characteristics, one must see them at both sides of the twin, but reflected! If the lines at both twin parts have the same direction - you won't have a twin! In this sense, Figure 1 is showing a normal double pyramid whereas Figure 2 is a twinned pyramid after {0001}. If you haven't such lines, you need to measure the planes. This is the safest way, but the experienced way in my mind. 2. Short and curt: I haven't. 3. I haven't any idea. 4. I would not ask this question in that way. Look to the difference: "Are dipyramids more common" and not, "Why are ..." The latter one means that you are sure that dipyramids are more common in Ohio than elsewhere. You need only to ask why is it so. I suppose you haven't enough samples from all over the world. Never the less, it it's an interesting problem. 5. I can "offer" you a locality showing the crystal combination of a top-pyramid and a scalenohedron at the side. Better said: a scalenohedron with a top-pyramid. There are inclusions of chrysoberyl. The locality is Tsumeb, Namibia, Africa. OK, that's not the right one you asked for. Now, I want to inform you that I have a step with clear doubled pyramids. The height is in the range of two cm. The diameter in the range of one cm. They occurred together with a second calcite generation. They show a rhombohedron nearly like a cube. The locality is St. Andreasberg, Ober Harz, Germany what is sure. According to the label, it should be from the "Samson Mine." 5 Bucker-Moses-Gang , from the so called " Krahen-augebdruse, year 1883. But it's not sure if the latter localities are exact because of the problem of falsification of labels. But the two crystals forms were interesting enough to take the ink to have only one correct location, St. Andreasberg. 6. I haven't seen any of the dipyramids outside of my collection. But, take a scalenohedron xl and cut it above the waistline and you will get a six-sided pyramid, but a pseudo one. Maybe one exchanged the crystal form of the first generation (of the phantom) from a pyramid to a scalenohedron? It has to be a regular one, an ideal scalenohedron without any plane additionally, especially in at the top of the crystal Here is the letter from Roger responding to Larry's questions. After a year of absence , I have resumed with pleasure the perusal of the SPAR BOX, especially the opinions of Pete Richards and Larry Hughes who corroborate mine. One always likes to find people who are on the same wavelength. In short today, because it would take too many pages , I am going to try and reply to Larry's questions (SPAR BOX Vol 7, No. 1). Question 1. When the habit of calcite presents a pseudo-hexagonal symmetry, it is impossible to put in an obvious twin on {0001} by a simple morphological examination. If it is the case of the prism {10.0} ended by a pinacoid {0001} (Kanonspath, for Germans) and also that of all pseudo-hexagonal dipyramids (isoceloedres, in French). Without using the physical properties of the crystal, only the relative position of the cleavages, either intentionally (!) made or clearly visible on the crystal, can lift the doubt. The presence of the secondary face also allows to elucidate this point, but it is necessary to be sure of the nature of these faces. Thus, Larry's figure indicates the first view, the presence of a twin. To prove it, it is necessary , for example, that the <

> dace is a positive rhombohedron, for example {10.1}, and the <> face is the negative corresponding rhombohedron {01.1}. In the crystal drawing, nothing allows us to visualize the position of these faces on the inferior part of the crystal. There will be a twin on {0001} if "p'' superior and inferior faces superpose (the same thing for <> faces - with a plane of symmetry for the twin). If these superior and inferior faces are not facing each other, there is no twin. Question 2. Cesaro (1849-1939) has found the pseudo-hexagonal dipyramid twins on ({02.1}. But, he also found the hemitop twin on {0001} with two contact planes (0001} and an addition (10.0) within the pseudo-hexagonal dipyramids, either in a <>, either similarly with two individuals joined. Question 4 During the lst century, 600kg of crystals have been collected in Rhisnes. All of the treasure has almost disappeared, probably used as testing samples by generations of students! Question 5 (Namur Prov., Belgium) is, I believe, <> for the form {88.3}. Cesaro has put this new form in evidence (1885), encouraged in his work by G. vom Radth, renowned mineralogist of the Bonn (Germany) University. G. von Radth said that Rhisnes is one of the more famous sites in the world. There is another site in the Eifel )Germany). Question 6 Yes, with internal scalenohedra (with possible pyrite coating). Question 7 Hexagonal dipyramid of Rhisnes, length: 11cm. Perfectly doubly terminated, but with visible cleavage planes. White and translucent. No twinning. Undamaged. {88.3} very dominant, with the positive rhombohedron {10.1}. Other crystals of this locality show, in addition, a pinacoid {00.1} and negative obtuse rhombohedra {01.2}. See figure. PARTICULARITY OF RHISNES - Current evidence of a second generation of calcite, in parallel growth, either on the top of the crystal, or on the sides. Please see crystal drawings in the Atlas of Goldschmidt (1913). - Presence of a second hexagonal dipyramid {11.3} in these secondary crystals, the habit of which strongly differs (shortly elongated along the c axis). The position of these second generation crystals could theoretically show the existence of a twin, provided that they exist at both extremities. But no one has found a pseudo- hexagonal dipyramid that is doubly terminated with a crystallization (as a double scepter) because crystals are sticking perpendicularly out of the matrix. Cesao has established an important observation. When a crystal of calcite overgrows the preexisting crystal, the edges of the first crystal tend to be replaced by the faces of the second one, that are themselves parallel. In other words, a face of the new crystal is in zone with two faces of the original crystal. I've provided, for your consideration, a lot of features related to exceptional calcites, namely pseudo-hexagonal dipyramids from Rhisnes (Belgium), a renowned locality cited by Dana. THE EDITOR SPEAKS I want to address Larry's seventh question, "What is the best dipyramid you've ever seen and where is it from? Of course, the best one I've seen in person is the one I collected at Pugh Quarry, Weston, Ohio, many years ago when collectors were allowed in. It took a year to plan a trip to Ohio to collect at several quarries. A year of back and forth correspondence that finally produced permission to collect at about six quarries. There were only two of us that went. The first one we went to, fortunately, was Pugh Quarry. We went at first light and collected for about five hours. A sore throat that had come upon me the night before was getting worse, so we decided to go tho the emergency room at the local hospital. I had strep throat. Never gotten before and not since. I was given a shot of penicillin. I thought that I'd go back to the motel and my friend would continue collecting. He talked me into going home the next day. I needed an additional shot of penicillin from my doctor to wipe out the strep infection. If we'd stayed, I might have gotten real sick. In the five hours of collecting, I was able to get a large amount of beautiful golden calcite crystals specimens. One huge hunk I traded to Walter Hess in July '95 that I'd kept. There are several in my collection. The rest I traded soon after returning from the trip. They went like hotcakes. My prize of all specimens collected is a multiple growth hexagonal pyramid with two of the three over grown doubly terminated. The third, the one on the bottom, is attached to the matrix on which sits the 6.35 cm two connected crystals. It is translucent and the beautiful golden brown color typical of Pugh Quarry calcites. It is one of my most favorite calcite specimens because I collected it myself. It's a collecting trip I will not forgot. I can't begin to imagine what we would have come back with if I hadn't gotten sick. Never to know. I have a question for Roger or Pete. What does a pseudo-hexagonal dipyramid crystal look like? I might have one and not know it. Would you send me a drawing of one to put into the next SPAR BOX? I'm sure all our members are as curious as I am to see one. ICCA IS ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB [Ed.: I'm repeating this from item from the last issue for new members who may not have received the Winter 1997 issue of the SPAR BOX]. Thanks to Paul Tambuyser of the Netherlands, a member of the Belgium Mineral Society, ICCA is on the society's Mineral Collector's Page. The URL is If you can't get access that way, you can go to your web access page and type in "mineral club, belgium" into your search box. When you get that page, scroll down until you come to the Mineral Collector of the Belgium Mineral Society listing. Click on that to get the home page. Click on Amateur Mineralogist and scroll down until you get to International Clubs. ICCA is listed under that heading. Click on that and our verbiage, courtesy of Larry Hughes, from the ICCA application form he made for the Tucson show, will stare you in the face. I just tried it and it's there. Paul has a way of determining how many visits the ICCA page gets, so I'll know how many people have read our page. If you want to thank him also, his e-mail address is . A NEW WEB ADDRESS FOR ICCA Bob Keller of Bob's Rock Shop has put us on the internet with page with a passion. He is developing an ICCA home page with the URL . By the time you receive this issue it should be in place. If you want to thank him his is e-mail address is . His web page is . NEW MEMBERS More new members: * Charles G. Inman, RR 1, Box 1372, Fort Edward, NY 12828; (518) 638-8723. Charles is interested in miniatures and cabinet 5-10 cm. Also interested in sphalerite and fluorescents. Locality of interest is New York. * Richard J. Stein, 239 Pinewood Drive,Schenectady, NY 12303-5634; (518) 355-4423. Richard likes miniature to large cabinet size specimens. Likes unique xl forms of any species and exquisite xls from an uncommon location or a unique form(s) from a well known locality. * Gary E. Fleck, PO Box 2886, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71914; 501-623-4098; FAX: same. Gary interested in all sizes except TNs. Collects wulfenite, fluorite, and all copper minerals. Favorite locations are Elmwood, TN and Bunker Hill, ID.