Mineralogy

Monthly Archive: December Mine

Earth's Archives: Every Rock Tells a Story Part 1

Posted: April 13, 2015 - 12:52 , by ROM
Hematite

Hermatite

By: Ian Nicklin

Hematite is a common ore of iron that was extensively mined in northern England in the 19th century. The miners referrred to globular aggregates of hematite, such as this, as "kidney-ore" since it reminded them of the organ. We call this shape "reniform," which means the same thing: kidney-shaped.

Gem of the Month: Canadian Diamonds

Posted: September 20, 2012 - 13:00 , by royal
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Posting by Brendt Hyde, Mineralogy Technician

The discovery of diamonds in the 1990’s marked a beginning for Canada’s first diamond mine, the Ekati Diamond Mine, located in the Northwest Territories.  It also marked the beginning of the, still relatively young, diamond mining industry in Canada.

Digging Through the Vaults: Rediscovery and Rehabilitation

Posted: August 30, 2012 - 08:55 , by royal
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Front face of ring displaying engraving in purple stone.

Collector's ring with a large convex amethyst gem engraved with an image of Nike. Height: 2.2 cm Accession number: 925.83.6

Meteorite of the month: Springwater pallasite

Posted: January 25, 2012 - 10:52 , by ROM
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The world's largest specimen of the Springwater pallasite meteorite.

This is the first blog in a new series, Meteorite of the Month, that will feature meteorite specimens from the museums outstanding collection. We will also be putting up a Mineral and a Gem each month so there’s something for everybody.

Mineral of the month: serandite

Posted: January 17, 2012 - 08:47 , by ROM
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World's largest twinned serandite crystal.

This is the first entry in a new series the Earth Sciences section will be running, Mineral of the Month. These blogs will feature remarkable (and perhaps some not quite so remarkable but interesting none the less) specimens from the museum’s world class mineral collection. We will also be featuring monthly meteorites and gems so there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Meteorite or “Meteor-wrong”?

Posted: December 16, 2011 - 13:00 , by ROM
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ROM Earth Scientists receive dozens of requests each year to identify possible meteorites. This is especially the case when there is a spectacular fireball similar to the one which recently streaked across southern Ontario on December 12 of this year (the video was captured by astronomers at the University of Western Ontario). Do you think you have found a space rock?