Richmond Soapstone Gallery

Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH, Mineral Gallery Return to mindatnh front page. Click on image for larger view
This page is an alphabetical photo gallery of minerals from the Richmond Soapstone Quarry, New Hampshire. (A locality specific photo set from mindatnh.org) 17 species, 30 mineral photos, 6 EDS analyses. See also: Mindat.org locality link For the photos below, the species chemistry is included with the first example of each mineral.
ALMANDINE - Ca, Mn rich Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 0.5 mm Almandine garnet	Species: ALMANDINE - Ca, Mn rich Fe²⁺₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 0.5 mm Almandine garnet Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2013 Catalog No.: 1871 Notes: Mn, Ca rich almandine indicated by qualitative EDS analysis . Note that although the Ca response in the EDS plot is higher than the Fe response, the EDS detector response in the Fe, Mn region is substantially lower than in the Ca region. Taking this into account provides the basis for the determination that this garnet falls on the almandine side of the garnet species rather than the grossular side.
APATITE-(CaF) Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Pale green apatite crystals to 1.3 cm in quartz matrix.	Species: APATITE-(CaF) Fluorapatite Ca₅(PO₄)₃F Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: Pale green apatite crystals to 1.3 cm in quartz matrix. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2013 Catalog No.: 1859 Notes: This apatite fluoresces pale yellow. Although Phillip Morrill's New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities booklet does list appatite for the Richmond Soapstone Quarry, I have not seen apatite from there previous to 2013. Not outstanding as a New Hampshire apatite specimen, but an interesting locality occurrence. I did not recognize the apatite until after I brought the specimen home, so perhaps more diligent collecting in this milky quartz rock-matrix would produce better examples.
ANNITE Pegmatite near soapstone quarry, Richmond, NH 3.4 cm hexagonal Biotite Mica group crystal	Species: ANNITE KFe²⁺₃AlSi₃O₁₀(OH)₂ Locality: Pegmatite near soapstone quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 3.4 cm hexagonal Biotite Mica group crystal Field Collected: Tom Mortimer June, 1977 Catalog No.: 1408 Notes: Annite identification by EDS analysis
ANNITE Pegmatite near soapstone quarry, Richmond, NH Remarkable 10 cm high Annite crystal, shown in two sections.	Species: ANNITE Locality: Pegmatite near soapstone quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: Remarkable 10 cm high Annite crystal, shown in two sections. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer June, 1977 Catalog No.: NC Notes: A very large, complete annite crystal.
CHALCOPYRITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 10 cm specimen with thin crust of chalcopyrite on magnesiohornblende	Species: CHALCOPYRITE CuFeS₂ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 10 cm specimen with thin crust of chalcopyrite on magnesiohornblende. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1290 Notes:
CLINOCHLORE South of Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 1.5 cm Clinochlore crystal group atop 2.5 cm specimen	Species: CLINOCHLORE (Mg,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈ Locality: South of Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 1.5 cm Clinochlore crystal group atop 2.5 cm specimen Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 883 Notes: Clinochlore confirmed by EDS analysis.
CLINOCHLORE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 1.5 cm clinochlore in 4 cm specimen	Species: CLINOCHLORE Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 1.5 cm clinochlore in 4 cm specimen Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2006 Catalog No.: 1885 Notes:
CLINOCHLORE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 1.3 cm specimen	Species: CLINOCHLORE Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 1.3 cm specimen Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2006 Catalog No.: TBC Notes: For individual clinochlore crystals, these Richmond, NH ones stand up quite well, even on a world-wide stage.
CORDIERITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 2.8 cm terminated, prismatic, cordierite crystal. CORDIERITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Another view of specimen 264 above, shows double termination.	Species: CORDIERITE (Mg,Fe)₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 2.8 cm terminated, prismatic, cordierite crystal, two views. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 264 Notes: Cordierite from this soapstone quarry is one of New Hampshires "world class" specimens.
CORDIERITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 3 cm specimen with hexagonal prismatic cordierite crystals in quartz.	Species: CORDIERITE Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 3 cm specimen with hexagonal prismatic cordierite crystals in quartz. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1017 Notes:
CORDIERITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 2.5 cm specimen with nicely terminated, altered cordierite crystal in quartz matrix.	Species: CORDIERITE Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 2.5 cm specimen with nicely terminated, altered cordierite crystal in quartz matrix. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 960 Notes:
CORDIERITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 2.2 cm altered, terminated, cordierite crystal in quartz matrix.	Species: CORDIERITE Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 2.2 cm altered, terminated, cordierite crystal in quartz matrix. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 881 Notes:
CORDIERITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 5 cm cordierite crystal on 14 cm specimen. Quartz matrix.	Species: CORDIERITE Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 5 cm cordierite crystal on 14 cm specimen. Quartz matrix. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: Notes:
CORDIERITE altering to "pinite" mica Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 5 mm field of view. Bright reflective geometric patterns of pinite mica surrounding islands of un-altered cordierite.	Species: CORDIERITE altering to "pinite" mica Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 5 mm field of view. Bright reflective geometric patterns of pinite mica surrounding islands of un-altered cordierite. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Sept. 2013 Catalog No.: TBC Notes:
DRAVITE - SCHORL - UVITE Vacinity of Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 5 cm crude complete crystal	Species: DRAVITE - SCHORL - UVITE NaMg₃Al₆(BO₃)₃(Si₆O₁₈)(OH)₄ Locality: Vacinity of Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 5 cm crude complete crystal Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - June 1977 Catalog No.: 1550 Notes: Collected from a pegmatite dike with Mike Undercofler. I was never able to find this dike again dispite several attempts. Dravite suggested by EDS analysis . Note this analysis shows Mg > Fe suggesting this is the magnesium dominant tourmaline, dravite. A follow up EDS analysis with atomic % quantification showed Fe > Mg, but also Ca > Na, suggesting the uvite tourmaline. A weight percent oxide analysis ia recommended. George Adleman acquired a Raman analysis of the same polished grain as the BC309 EDS. This matched well with RUFF dravite plots.
GEDRITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 3.7 cm specimen with dark-brown blades of gedrite in quartz	Species: GEDRITE Mg₅Al₂Si₆Al₂O₂₂(OH)₂ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 3.7 cm specimen with dark-brown blades of gedrite in quartz Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2013 Catalog No.: 1556 Notes: Gedrite confirmed by EDS analysis .
ILMENITE Soapstone Quarry area, Green Balloon Prospect, Richmond, NH 4 mm ilmenite crystal in quartz.	Species: ILMENITE Fe²⁺TiO₃ Locality: Soapstone Quarry area, Green Balloon Prospect, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 4 mm ilmenite crystal in quartz. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1568 Notes: Ilmenite is rare at the Richmond Soapstone locality
KYANITE Vacinity of Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 7 x 5 cm specimen of milky kyanite blades in quartz.	Species: KYANITE Al₂SiO₅ Locality: Vacinity of Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 7 x 5 cm specimen of milky kyanite blades in quartz. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1549 Notes: Kyanite confirmed by EDS analysis.
MAGNESIOHORNBLENDE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH cm specimen of solid massive magnesiohornblende.	Species: MAGNESIOHORNBLENDE Ca₂[Mg₄(Al,Fe³)](Si₇Al)O₂₂(OH)₂ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 4 cm specimen of solid massive magnesiohornblende. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1758 Notes: This material is the "soapstone" that was quarried at the Richmond locale.,br. Magnesiohornblende confirmed by EDS analysis.
MAGNETITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 4 cm specimen with magnetite zones to 1.2 cm in quartz-feldspar matrix.	Species: MAGNETITE Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 4 cm specimen with magnetite zones to 1.2 cm in quartz-feldspar matrix. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2006 Catalog No.: 1871 Notes: Magnetite identification by strong magnetic attraction. Magnetite has not appeared on previous Richmond Soapstone Quarry species lists.
PHLOGOPITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 1.8 cm field of view. Dark-brown phlogopite mica with blue gem iolite on left. PHLOGOPITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 1 cm zoom view	Species: PHLOGOPITE KMg₃AlSi₃O₁₀(OH)₂ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 1.8 cm field of view. Dark-brown phlogopite mica with blue gem iolite on left. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2006 Catalog No.: 1870 Notes: Zoom view shows characteristic brown tint of phlogopite mica. Phlogopite confirmed by EDS analysis.
PYRITE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Pair of inter-grown 1 mm pyrite crystals on calcite.	Species: PYRITE FeS₂ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: Pair of inter-grown 1 mm pyrite crystals on calcite. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1290 Notes:
RUTILE South of Soapstone Quarry, (Green Balloon Prospect), Richmond, NH 2 cm specimen. 1 cm stubby prismatic Rutile crystal.	Species: RUTILE TiO₂ Locality: South of Soapstone Quarry, (Green Balloon Prospect), Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 2 cm specimen. 1 cm stubby prismatic Rutile crystal. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 778 Notes:
RUTILE Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 6 mm rutile "button" crystal with secondary crystal growth on pyramid termation faces.	Species: RUTILE Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 6 mm rutile "button" crystal with secondary crystal growth on pyramid termation faces. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2006 Catalog No.: u1393 Notes:
RUTILE South of Soapstone Quarry, (Green Balloon Prospect), Richmond, NH 6 cm specimen. Pair of stubby prismatic rutile crystals in iron stained feldspar matrix. Largest crystal 1.8 cm.	Species: RUTILE Locality: South of Soapstone Quarry, (Green Balloon Prospect), Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 6 cm specimen. Pair of stubby prismatic rutile crystals in iron stained feldspar matrix. Largest crystal 1.8 cm. Field Collected: Kevin Mortimer Catalog No.: Notes: The ledge outcrop from which this specimen was collected is known as the "green balloon prospect" from the green baloon recovered from a nearby tree.
RUTILE South of Soapstone Quarry, (Green Balloon Prospect), Richmond, NH 4 mm pyramid termination rutile crystal in feldspar matrix.	Species: RUTILE Locality: South of Soapstone Quarry, (Green Balloon Prospect), Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 4 mm pyramid termination rutile crystal in feldspar matrix. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: u273 Notes:
TALC with Magnesiohornblende Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 3.4 cm specimen with pale-green and white zones of talc in green-black magnesiohornblende matrix.	Species: TALC with Magnesiohornblende Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 3.4 cm specimen with pale-green and white zones of talc in green-black magnesiohornblende matrix. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 2013 Catalog No.: 1872 Notes: Phillip Morrill's New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities booklet includes talc in the species list for this Richmond quarry.
TITANITE Richmond Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 0.8 mm titanite crystal	Species: TITANITE CaTiOSiO₄ Locality: Richmond Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: 0.8 mm titanite crystal Field Collected: Tom Mortimer, 1993 Catalog No.: U205 Notes:
UNKNOWN Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Full specimen: 12 mm. 10 mm tan, Roman sword blade crystal embedded in calcite UNKNOWN Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 10 mm field of view UNKNOWN Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH 3 mm field of view showing Roman sword type termination.	Species: UNKNOWN titanium mineral Locality: Soapstone Quarry, Richmond, NH Specimen Size: Full specimen: 12 mm. 10 mm tan, Roman sword blade crystal embedded in calcite Field Collected: Tom Mortimer - 1980's Catalog No.: u1979 Notes: A polished grain EDS analysis, (two probings) show a O, Ti, Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Fe, with strong dominance of Ti. I can't find anything with this chemistry that has Ti as essential. The dark mineral is clinochlore. Small, sharp, pyrite crystals are also embedded in the calcite, (one is visible in the lower left). A second small sample from this find has multiple broken blades in calcite, a couple of these blades have what is likely some embedded rutile. The soapstone at this quarry has been analyzed to be magnesiohornblende.