Gems And Minerals

Here are images of four stamps from a set of eight stamps depicting minerals and fossils, designed by Hungarian artist Pál Varga, printed by photogravure, and issued by Hungary on September 21, 1969 to commemorate the centenary of the Hungarian State Institute of Geology.

- nethryk

Greenockit Calcite Sphalerite Crystals, Scott No. 1991.


Quartz Crystals, Scott No. 1993.


Copper, Scott No. 1995.


Cuprite Crystals, Scott No. 1997.

Diamond, designed by South African artist Cecil Skotnes (1926-2009), printed by photogravure, and issued by South Africa on May 31, 1966 as one of a set of four stamps commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Republic, Scott No. 310.

- nethryk

Zinc sulfide and lead sulfide, designed by German graphic artist Karl Oskar Blase (1925- ), printed by lithography, and issued by Germany on January 12, 1968 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of mining in the Hartz Mountains, Scott No. 979, Michel No. 547.

- nethryk

Aragonite is a carbonate mineral, one of the two common, naturally occurring, crystal forms of calcium carbonate, CaCO3. Here is an image of a stamp depicting a specimen of aragonite, designed by A. Kammerer-Rogler, combined engraved by Maria Magdalena Laurent and photogravure, and issued by Austria on May 11, 1984 to publicize the Ore and Iron Provincial Exhibition, Scott No. 1274.

- nethryk

Wulfenite and Dravit (Slovenia) (1997, 2000)



The mineral wulfenit is lead molybdenum (Pb(Mo04)). According to its symmetric elements and crystal shape, which reflect a crystal structure, it belongs to the tetra logical pyramid type of symmetry. It was first mentioned as a "yellow lead ore" by Ljubljana's Jesuit professor Franz Xaver von Wulfen in 1785. The mineralogist Heidinger named the ore after Wulfen in 1845 calling it Wulfenit. In the Mezica valley wulfenit appeared in the cracks of the limestone and dolomitic of middle Triassic age together with galena, phalerite and calcite in the highest and oxidized parts of the lead-zinc mine.




The mineral dravite is magnesium tourmaline with a characteristic golden brown to dark brown, or almost black colour. It was named after the river Drava by the well-known Austrian imperial mineralogist Tschermak in 1883. The dravite appears in triangular or hexagon columns - prisms ending predominately in trigonal pyramids. The crystals mostly reach 1 cm in size.

Cinnabar



Formula: HgS
Colour: tint or shade of red
Crystal system: Trigonal
Hardness: 2 - 2#189;
Uses: primary ore of mercury, a pigment

Cinnabar is named after Greek "kinnabaris", the ancient name for the mineral.

On July 12, 1989 Brazil issued two stamps on minerals, Tourmaline, Scott 2198, and Amethyst Scott 2199.

On January 22, 1998, Brazil issued a set of stamps on minerals: Alexandrite is Scott 2660, Chrysoberyl is Scott 2661, Indicolite is Scott 2662.

On August 12, 1983 Canada issued a stamp on the Centenaryof the discovery of Nickel. Scott 996.

On September 21, 1992, Canada issued a set of minerals: Copper, Sodalite, Gold, Galena and Grossular, Scott numbers 1436-1440.

On May 8, 1997, the Republic of China also known as Taiwan issued a set of stamps on minerals: Aragonite, Alunite, Enargite, and Barite, Scott numbers 3121-3124.

On December 13, 1977 Kenya issued a set of mineral stamps of minerals found in Kenya: Tourmaline, Aquamarine, Rhodolite garnet and Sapphire. Scott numbers 107 - 110. The entire set is Scott 98 - 112.

On February 24, 1995, Spain issued a strip of three stamps: a. Dolomite, b. Technical School for Mining Engineers, and c. Aragonite. Scott 2805a-c.

On May 30, 1968, Russia issued a stamp on the 8th Congress for Mineral Research, Scott 3468, the whole set is Scott 3466-3469.