In collaboration with Trevor Boyd - Minerals and Natural History Expert
What do the Braille language and epidote, the naturally occurring mineral, have in common? Both were introduced to the world in France! 'Type locality', a geological term, is the location where a particular rock type or mineral species was first identified or studied. The following 5 minerals were all either first discovered or scientifically studied in France. Some are well known and some are a bit rarer, but each has its own story to tell. Find out more below.
5. Epidote
This is a classic, well-known mineral, that is found worldwide. But its type locality is France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Its crystals are typically yellowish/green in colour and prism-shaped with crystal faces that reflect the light well. French mineralogist, Rene Just Haüy, named it in 1801, from the Greek word ‘epidosis', meaning ‘increase’. The name alludes to the characteristic of one of the longer crystal faces at the base of the prism...now you know that The Louvre isn’t the only famous prism in France!
4. Dumortierite
Very pretty to look at, dumortierite was first discovered in 1879 in rocks used to fill the roads leading to the Garron Valley. But where did these rocks come from? A year after the mineral was initially stumbled upon, the source of the rocks was finally found: a newly opened quarry located on a recently-built road going from from Oullins to Chaponost, near the Beaunant aqueducts. The crystals in this mineral vary in colour from brown to blue to green and to even rarer violets and pinks. It is quite a rare mineral, but can be found in places such as Austria, Brazil, Madagascar. And of course its type locality, France.
Dumortierite from Madagascar
3. Orthoserpierite
The origins of this mineral take us to Chessy, Rhône and goes all the way back to the Middle Ages. A now closed mine, named Chessy-les-Mines, was used to hunt for copper until 1875. This was where mine workers unearthed this rare, light-blue, micro mineral. Although closed, the mine has since been purchased by the Geological Club of l'Arbresle, whose members still enjoy collecting minerals there today. Keep this mineral-bearing mine in mind as there’s more to come.
Orthoserpierite from Arizona
2. Autunite
Autunite’s type locality is Saint Symphorien near Autun. Discovered in 1852, it is an interesting, bright-yellow mineral. But what’s even cooler about it is that it naturally fluoresces a bright-green colour under ultraviolet light due to its moderate uranium content...which of course also means that it is radioactive! As a result, it is recommended that Autunite should be stored in a well-ventilated location outside of the home. Imagine owning a piece of this and storing it in your garden shed! It would no doubt make a fascinating topic of conversation with your neighbours!
1. Azurite
A beautiful dark-blue colour, with intricate crystals, azurite can probably be considered one of the most widely recognisable and popular minerals in the world. Its type locality is Chessy-les-Mines, the very same mine mentioned in #3 on our list. However, azurite has been known to man for thousands of years, and in fact takes its name from the Persian word ‘lazhward’ meaning 'blue'. It was officially named azurite by another French mineralogist, Francois Beudant, back in 1824 and today, specimens of these deep blue crystals are highly sought after by mineral collectors around the world.
Impressed by this interesting array of minerals? Then we have good news! You can own these French-originated rock specimens for yourself! We list an amazing selection of beautiful minerals in our weekly Minerals auctions. Perhaps you already own a mineral and you’d like to see how much money you could make selling it at auction? Register as a seller here for free and start selling right away!