MINERALS

The roots of a forest are the minerals underneath.

and a few other interesting facts...

TAKE A SCIENTIFIC WALK THROUGH GREENMANTLE
with mineral ethusiast and gem photographer, Michael Bainbridge

LEARN MORE ABOUT MINERALS, CRYSTALS AND ROCKS

What is a mineral?

A mineral is a naturally occuring solid, with a definite

chemical composition and a characteristic crystalline

structure. For example, in this photo of the rare mineral

fluororichterite you can see the large crystal formations.

The shape of the crystals is one of the ways of identifying

a mineral.

What is a rock?

A rock is usually an aggregate of minerals. This example

of granite contains mineral crystals, but the crystals

are very very small.

What is a crystal?

A crystal is any solid material in which the component atoms are arranged in a definite pattern. Crystals are formed when a liquid or gas becomes a solid (crystallization) with a ordered arrangement.

All minerals display a microscopic crystal structure when

they are solid, but under ideal circumstances the

crystals can grow to a size we can see with the

naked eye. Crystals need room to grow when they

are changing from a liquid to a solid. When this

happens we can see them as individual crystals.

So think about WATER. When a liquid,

if it is in a container

and then frozen, becoming a solid mineral

the crystals of ice are not usually visible to the eye.

BUT, if water freezes (crystallizes)

with room for crystals to grow (open air)

you can get snow flakes!

Snowflakes are also known for having great

variety in their structures. This is because

each ice crystal forms as it falls through layers

of air. Each layer has a slightly different temperature

and a little more or less water available for adding

the crystal structure. Ice crystals form differently in these various kinds of air.

AS MINERALS ARE COOLING,

IF THEY HAVE SPACE, THEIR CRYSTAL
FORMATIONS WILL GROW LARGER.

A billion years ago, when minerals were cooling and forming rocks, the large calcite dome found at Greenmantle allowed for big crystals to grow, 10 to 20 kilometers below the surface. Now they have reached the surface, and since this land has been untouched by human disturbance, you can see these large crystals in their natural setting.

Watch this video to see water cooling and crystalizing into a snowflake - now imagine this happening very, very, slowly underground, and this is how mineral crystals are formed.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

clinohumite (another view) by Michael Bainbridge

THE GREENMANTLE FARM MINERAL OCCURENCE
An article about this special place written by famed geologist, John Etches
(for best reading, zoom or hit Full Screen)
you can also print or download.

CHEX NEWS visits Greenmantle

FURTHER YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF GEOLOGY & FORESTS
books to delve into

Mark's Book Selection

The Grenville Province, covering much of upstate New York, southeastern Ontario, and southern Québec, has been the source of many amazing mineral specimens including those found on Greenmantle Farm. Its crystalline rocks are more than a billion years old, and unlike most mineralogical heritage sites, new discoveries are the rule rather than the exception. The province also contains deposits of commercially important minerals such as iron, zinc, talc, garnet, apatite, and mica. More than 400 photographs highlight specimens from the world - renowned collections including minerals found at Greenmantle Farm. This pleasurable journey includes sections devoted to colourful gemstones and fluorescent minerals, and explains the mineralogical, geological, and historical significance of these minerals.