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Where is Talc Produced?
In the United States, talc consumption has slowly declined since 1995. Smaller amounts of the mineral are used in the ceramics industry because of a change in firing technology. In the paint industry, a shift from oil-based paints to latex paints has decreased the use of talc. In the cosmetics industry, many manufacturers have replaced…
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Geologic Occurrence of Sugilite
Sugilite occurs in only a few locations worldwide. Production of gem-quality sugilite only occurs in noteworthy amounts from the stratiform manganese deposits in South Africa. Sugilite is also found in small amounts as a primary mineral in igneous rocks and as a secondary mineral in marble. Manganese deposits similar to those of South Africa exist in other…
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Imitation Sugilite
Imitation sugilite and composite materials made to imitate sugilite are abundant in the marketplace. These items are often sold without disclosure. Much imitation sugilite is also labeled as “synthetic”. It is likely that sellers are unaware of what they are selling. The Gemological Institute of America reports that dyed marble and dyed quartzite have been used as sugilite…
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What is Talc?
Talc is a hydrous magnesium silicate mineral with a chemical composition of Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. Although the composition of talc usually stays close to this generalized formula, some substitution occurs. Small amounts of Al or Ti can substitute for Si; small amounts of Fe, Mn, and Al can substitute for Mg; and, very small amounts of Ca can substitute…
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Talc: A Mineral in Your Daily Life
Most people are familiar with the mineral known as “talc“. It can be crushed into a white powder that is widely known as “talcum powder.” This powder has the ability to absorb moisture, absorb oils, absorb odor, serve as a lubricant, and produce an astringent effect with human skin. These properties have made talcum powder an important…
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Sugilite Gemology
Sugilite was first discovered in 1944. It did not enter the gem and jewelry market until 1979, after commercial quantities of gemstone-quality sugilite were found at the Wessels Mine in South Africa. Very few jewelry consumers are familiar with sugilite. Why? Because it is a rare mineral, only available in small quantities, has a short commercial…
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The Necessity of Permission or Consent
When considering the legalities of rock, mineral, or fossil collecting, the foremost principle is that a collector cannot legally take rocks, minerals, or fossils without the permission or consent of whoever has a legal right to those rocks, mineral, or fossils. Admittedly, this framework may seem overly technical and complicated when applied to small, loose,…
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Ownership or Possession of Rocks, Mineral, and Fossils
Contrary to a common perception, all rocks, minerals, and fossils are treated as being owned or possessed by some person or entity in the American legal system; there are no specimens that are wholly “unowned” as a legal concept. Even in cases where no specific person or organization has ownership of rocks, minerals, or fossils or…
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The Importance of Rock, Mineral, or Fossil Ownership and Possession
The most important factor in assessing the legality of rock, mineral, and fossil collecting activities is the legal ownership or possession of the specimens being collected; the question of the ownership and possession of those specimens is the starting point for further legal analysis. Ownership of rocks, minerals, and fossils entails complete control of those…
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But Will I Get Caught?
Rock, mineral, and fossil collectors may also wrestle with the distinction between legal and practical realities when considering collecting activities. As is often the case, legal principles do not always match up with practical circumstances, and someone who does something illegal may not always be caught, let alone prosecuted or sued. Simply put, specimen collectors…