Mineral crystals are favored by people because of their high scientific value, pleasing aesthetics and investment effect of maintaining and increasing value.
6. 1. 1. 1 scientific value of minerals
Minerals record and preserve the geological conditions and the evolution history of formation. Studying minerals can help people understand the formation and evolution of minerals, promote people to make full use of mineral resources, and collect mineral crystals can popularize earth science knowledge and raise people's awareness of protecting and cherishing earth resources.
6. 1. 1.2 Aesthetic value and health care value of minerals
Mineral crystals are pleasing to the eye because of their colorful colors and strange shapes. There is a proverb in the west: stones are pinched by God, and mineral crystals are carefully designed by God with a ruler. The crystal geometry directly reflects the microscopic world of atomic arrangement in minerals, which is incredible. They are angular and symmetrical; The crystal plane is smooth, angular and accurate. Their wonderful combination of points, lines, surfaces and angles, and the mutual reflection of blocks, bodies, shapes and qualities fully reflect the beauty of crystal structure, symmetry and harmony. The same mineral will form different crystal forms under different geological conditions and spatial environments. For example, there are dozens or hundreds of calcite crystals.
Colorful and varied mineral treasures (first row from left to right: rhodochrosite, beryl, pyrite, calcium fluoride; The second row is from left to right: galena, calcite, fluorite)
Various mineral crystals with bright colors and unique shapes.
The bimorph and polycrystal of some minerals are even more amazing, such as swallow-tailed bimorph gypsum in Qinglong, Guizhou, butterfly-shaped bimorph calcite in Guiyang, Hunan, and Japanese bimorph in Daye, Hubei. They are always "twin" together at a certain angle, forming a pair of horns, showing a strange symmetrical beauty; The geometric figure of crystal grain composition, etched image and the twists and turns of crystal edge make people have endless reverie. The crystal clusters composed of multiple single crystals are even more wonderful, which greatly expand the beauty of modeling, such as the radial stibnite in Xikuang, Hunan Province and the flower-shaped azurite in Yangchun, Guangdong Province, which are refreshing after reading. The crystal clusters of various minerals are even more attractive, such as wolframite, crystal, fluorite, arsenopyrite and other minerals in Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province. They were born together, just like cities with different architectural styles, which are beautiful. Some crystal clusters are picturesque in structural images, such as Guangdong radial crystal and rose hematite crystal cluster, Yunnan Wenshan lotus calcite, Sichuan Meigu flower-like epidote and crystal combination.
The colors of minerals are varied and varied. Vegetarians are clean and gorgeous, such as vermilion and realgar are red; Green is sphalerite and malachite; Mimetite is golden; Pure white crystal; There is aquamarine in the ice. The same calcite is pink and snowy white in Shizhu Garden in Chenzhou, Hunan, golden yellow in Shangbao, Leiyang, Hunan, and dark green and bright red in Lei Ping, Guiyang, Hunan. When several minerals are born, the color abundance doubles. For example, purple fluorite and golden pyrite in Shangbao, Leiyang, Hunan, grow in translucent crystal clusters, and the three colors complement each other and are dazzling. The coexistence of red scheelite, black cassiterite, light blue aquamarine, light yellow mica, white feldspar and transparent crystal in Xuebaoding, Pingwu, Sichuan is even more colorful and beautiful.
Emerald cubic fluorite crystals and milky white crystal clusters (large fluorite crystals mixed with twins)
Phosphorite clusters with bright colors and strange crystal forms
Mineral crystals have rich luster types and different degrees of transparency. Some show metallic luster, such as pyrite, chalcopyrite and stibnite; Some release dazzling diamond luster, such as diamonds, scheelite and cinnabar; Some are mild and delicate glossy, such as sphalerite and calcite; Others have starlight pearl luster, such as mica and malachite. Many crystals, such as wolframite, galena and cassiterite, are not conspicuous in color, but they are conspicuous because of their strong luster. When some mineral crystals are rotated, colorful luster changes will occur on each crystal face, flashing and jumping between each prism face, one after another, very beautiful. Many minerals are transparent to translucent crystals, crystal clear, showing the noble quality of gems. Some also show cat's eye and tiger's eye effects, flashing and enchanting, and their value has doubled.
Many minerals are also considered to have supernatural abilities or special functions, because they can release energy, contain various beneficial elements and absorb electromagnetic radiation. They have the efficacy of treating diseases and protecting health, and can be used to strengthen the body, cultivate temperament, treat diseases and preserve health.
Pink crystal ball for yoga and massage and its supporting wooden utensils
Obsidian massage stone beauty care
Amethyst caves growing in basalt contain many calcite twins in perfect yellow.
6. 1. 1.3 Investment and financial management value of mineral crystals
Mineral crystal is a scarce and non-renewable resource, and it is an ideal collection for maintaining and increasing value and investing in wealth management.
Minerals are generated under certain geological conditions, and each complete crystal represents a separate growth body. Species and individuals cannot be exactly the same in shape. Every mineral crystal collection is unique in the world, which is the most important feature of collectors and is beyond the reach of many other collections.
The formation of minerals is a complex, long and pure natural process, and its production conditions, such as high temperature, high pressure, mineral source materials, especially the crystallization time of tens of thousands or even millions of years, are beyond human simulation. Although experts can also cultivate a few scientific and technological mineral crystals generated at normal temperature and pressure in the laboratory, these "artificial minerals" are easily distinguished from natural minerals because they have no mineral combination.
Because of the good preservation performance of mineral crystals, as early as the middle of19th century, European and American countries began to collect, collect and trade mineral crystals. Today, mineral crystal trading has become a mature industry, and there are thousands of mineral crystal trading companies in the United States alone. Grand mineral fairs are held every year all over the world, such as the mineral and gem exhibition held in Tucson, Arizona, USA in early February, the mineral and gem fossil exhibition held in Saint Mary's Mine, France in late June, and the mineral and gem fossil trade fair held in Munich, Germany at the end of 10.
Mineral crystal collection is scientific and international, and its evaluation and pricing characteristics are more scientific and objective. In China, the collection of mineral crystals has also begun to heat up, and many enthusiasts and collectors have collected many fine products.
6. 1.2 Ore crystal collection conditions
Precious mineral crystal collection shall meet the following conditions:
(1) Varieties are scarce. Things are rare, and the rarer the mineral varieties distributed in nature, the higher the value. Many minerals need very harsh geological conditions to be generated, and their distribution in the crust is very limited, for example, natural gold, natural silver, diamonds (diamonds), rare new minerals and meteorite minerals.
(2) The crystal form is perfect. The more complete, prominent and rough mineral crystals develop, the more popular they are. Especially the surrounding rocks, mineral assemblages and crystals are in the original growth state. Crystal integrity is the most basic and important of all elements. If any mineral crystal is incomplete, its value will be greatly reduced, that is, the residual goods are half price, or there is no collection value at all.
Tourmaline (tourmaline) is bright in color and unique in crystal form, which is beautifully set off by milky white.
Perfect crystals, brilliant colors, strong luster, transparent texture and the combination of various minerals make this top beryl (aquamarine) and muscovite crystal series extremely valuable.
(3) radiant. The brighter the color, the stronger the luster and the higher the transparency of mineral crystals, the better the optical effect and the higher the collection value, such as various gem minerals and colored minerals. What is a gem? It has excellent color, luster, transparency and hardness. Generally speaking, black, white and colorless opaque minerals are not as popular as colored minerals.
(4) Hard and meaningful. Mineral crystals should have high physical and chemical stability, high hardness, corrosion resistance, no breakage, no discoloration and no weathering, which is convenient for long-term preservation and generation to generation. For example, although gypsum crystal is transparent and thick, it has low hardness and is easy to dehydrate and deform, so it is worthless. The crystal color, luster and transparency of fresh realgar are very good, but its value will be affected because it will be broken after seeing strong light.
(5) the combination is strange. If the surrounding rock is needed, other minerals are born. The combination of main minerals and biological minerals should be clear-cut, beautiful in shape and bright in color contrast, just like red flowers and green leaves, which are very ornamental.
(6) clear identity. Generally, detailed labels are needed to record the name, origin, age and other information of mineral collections.
Complete mineral crystals are rarely distributed in nature, and some of them will be destroyed in the process of mining, collection, transportation, cleaning and finishing. Therefore, mineral products that meet the above six conditions at the same time are extremely rare.
Beryl single crystal (aquamarine) with various crystal faces, growth steps and etching traces.
6. 1.3 Collection and appreciation of mineral crystals
The ways and ideas of collecting, appreciating and collecting minerals vary from person to person. Schools, research institutes and mineral departments pay attention to scientific and systematic collection. But individuals and museums pay more attention to the rarity and aesthetic value of minerals. There are also many individual collectors in western countries who emphasize systematic collection, and they want to collect as many varieties as possible. But most of them have systematically studied geology or mineralogy. Many people classify and collect. For example, some only collect minerals with the same origin, different crystal forms and different characteristics. Some collect according to the place of origin, and only collect all kinds of minerals in a certain area; Some collect according to crystal form, and only collect minerals of a certain crystal system, such as collecting various cubic or bimorph minerals; Others are collected only by composition or environment, such as beryl of different colors and varieties or various pegmatite minerals; Others are collected according to mineral characteristics, such as only fluorescent minerals or pseudocrystalline minerals. Some people are only interested in gem minerals, while others are only interested in natural single-element minerals.
Amateurs and collectors generally have different requirements for mineral size because of their different personal conditions and interests. The minerals used for decoration in homes and museums should generally be medium and large, which is quite shocking; The minerals used in systematic mining are generally small, which can save space. Museums generally collect minerals larger than the palm of your hand, which is called museum or cabinet collection (15 cm or more), which is convenient for visiting. Collections enjoyed by individuals can generally be divided into the following categories: palm type (10 ~15 cm); Small (4 ~ 7 cm), thumb (2 ~ 4 cm) and miniature (below 2 cm). A collector often chooses only one collection of the same size, which can make his collection more tidy and beautiful.
A collector's small mineral crystal collection cabinet in California, USA
Almost all serious collectors have strict requirements on the perfection and origin information of minerals, and sometimes even reach a harsh level. Each collection should have a label or written description, and record its various information like a passport. An accurate and complete record should include the following information: mineral name (including scientific name and common name, such as tourmaline/tourmaline, pyrite/fool's gold), detailed origin (including place name, mine name, roadway/pit/working face name, crystal cave name or number), collection time, collector and other information, as well as anecdotes about geology, mines and prices.
There are three sources of ore for individual lovers and collectors: one is to go up and down mountains to collect ore, the other is to exchange with peers, and the third is to buy ore. In the initial stage, people are often inexperienced and have limited financial resources, so they will first collect and buy some products with poor quality. After gaining experience, they are often dissatisfied with their previous collections and will try to exchange and sell those crystals that they no longer like. Over time, some of them will become amateur or professional traders of minerals. At present, more than 90% mineral traders in Europe and America are mineral lovers or collectors, or their business starts from their love and collection of minerals.
In the field of western mineral collection, there are a large number of local, national and worldwide collectors' associations, clubs and associations. They will regularly organize member gatherings, appreciate and exchange collections, introduce collection experience, publicize new discoveries and collections, and organize exhibitions, trade fairs and other activities. The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Australia and Russia all have various mineral magazines for collectors and enthusiasts to introduce mineral information and research results at home and abroad. Mineral collectors' associations, societies and clubs all over the world regularly hold cross-regional and transnational fine exhibitions and academic seminars, and organize visits to mines in mineral producing areas, which is quite beneficial to improve the level and quality of appreciation and collection and reduce trading risks.
Amethyst with complete crystal form and bright color.
Fluorite and muscovite with good shape, color, quality and combination.
Calcite crystal cluster-hairy lion
To appreciate mineral crystals, we can't copy China's traditional mode of appreciating and commenting on molded stones, and we can't over-imagine what crystals look like. We should observe the crystallization habit and integrity of minerals and identify what they are first. Then, appreciate its color, luster, shape and mineral combination, discuss its formation environment and causes, understand its geology, geography, customs and historical allusions, and compare it with similar minerals all over the world. To appreciate mineral crystals, we should pay attention to the ingenious combination of points, lines and surfaces, the strict symmetry of edges, corners and columns, the symmetrical proportion of length, width and height, and dazzling colors and textures. Of course, when some mineral crystals develop completely like something and are given an image alias, for example, the blue copper mine in Yangchun, Guangdong Province is called a blue rose, the gypsum produced in the desert is called a desert rose, and there are others, such as fluorite birds, calcite lotus flowers, golden dragons and crystal flowers. , make them more vivid, more exciting, and also achieve the effect of combining Chinese and Western tastes.