This Magnesiofoitite Tourmaline Update features crystals of magnesiofoitite that are simply amazing for the species. These crystals are from a large collapsed pocket in Tsitondroina Commune, in the Ikalamavony District, Matsiatra Region, Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar. Sharp and lustrous, with somewhat varied crystal habits, these crystals comprise a remarkable find.

After a long, harsh northern winter, most people in this part of the world look to the arrival of the red-winged blackbirds and robins, buds and flowers to mark the arrival of spring. But let’s be honest, spring only truly arrives with “Rochester” (the annual Rochester Mineralogical Symposium). Rochester is for people who love minerals and mineral collecting – if you’d like to see more about this year’s symposium (including photographs from the presenters), I hope you’ll enjoy this post.

Each year when “Tucson” nears, I’m like a kid who can’t wait to race downstairs on Christmas morning. Just the chance to experience the sprawling mineral shows all over the city (known collectively in Mineral World simply as “Tucson”)… there is so much to see! This is a brief blog post about a few finds from Tucson 2014.