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Museum showcases specimens from world-famous mineral sites
2:20 p.m., June 22, 2006--The University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum is home to an outstanding collection of more than 5,000 specimens, including the collection of the late Irénée du Pont. More than 600 of these items are on display in the Irénée du Pont Mineral Room in Penny Hall, including the current exhibition, “Famous Mineral Localities: Illinois, U.S.A., Minas Gerais, Brazil and Dal'negorsk and Ural Mountains, Russia.” Southeastern Illinois is an acclaimed mineral locality, particularly well-known for its fluorite, calcite and barite specimens. The exhibit includes items from the Minerva Mine; the Rosiclare District vein system; the Denton Mine in the Harris Creek District; and Cave-in-the-Rock State Park, located in Hardin County.
Minas Gerais (general mines), one of Brazil's 26 states, has long been recognized for its gold deposits and large crystals of beryl, tourmaline and quartz. Minerals in the exhibit include chrysoberyl, beryl on microcline feldspar, quartz, columbite and albite on microcline. While Russia produces a variety of minerals, two of the most notable mineral localities are Dal'negorsk on the eastern coast and the Ural Mountains in western Russia. Among the items on display from these regions are manganoan calcite on matrix pyrrohotite; vesuvianite; and aquaramine beryl. The Mineralogical Museum is open by appointment during the summer. To make an appointment, call (302) 831-8242. For more information, visit [www.museums.udel.edu/mineral/mineral_site/index.html].
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