Formula: CaCO3 HEXAGONAL Description: Calcite sceptor crystals from Shullsburg, Wisconsin. UW–River Falls specimen. Sample is about 8 cm high. (Photo by Pete Rodewald.) Calcite is an abundant mineral found in many geological environments. It forms by precipitation from …
Manitowoc County
Pyrite
Pyrite is the most common sulfide found in many environments. It is a common accessory mineral in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It also is abundant in most hydrothermal deposits. Only the most significant occurrences …
Strontianite
Formula: SrCO3 Orthorhombic Description: Strontianite forms white acicular to prismatic crystals. It is found as low temperature hydrothermal mineral and a ground water precipitate, primarily in carbonate sedimentary rocks. LAFAYETTE COUNTY: Radiating crystals on limestone were reported from …
Pearls
Description: Pearls are hard nodular precipitates formed inside the shells of mollusks such as clams. They consist of layers of calcium carbonate, either in the form of calcite or aragonite held together by a horny …
Fluorite
Formula: CaF2 Isometric Description: Fluorite crystals, from Sturgeon Bay in Door County, Wisconsin. Field of view is about 4 cm. (Photo by W. Cordua) Fluorite often forms coarse cleavable masses or cubic crystals. It can take on a …
Dolomite
Formula: CaMg(CO3)2 Hexagonal Description: Dolomite forms the main mineral in the bluff-forming rocks along the Mississippi River, such as Granddad Bluff near La Crosse. (Photo by W. Cordua) Dolomite is an abundant mineral in Wisconsin. It is a …
Marcasite
Formula: FeS2 Orthorhombic Description: Marcasite helectite, New Diggings area, Lafayette County, Wisconsin. Sample is about 8 cm long. (Photo by W. Cordua.) Marcasite is common in Wisconsin, often found in well-formed crystals in cavities and veins in the …
Calcite Speleothems
Formula: CaCO3 HEXAGONAL Description: Speleothems are precipitates, usually made of calcite, in caverns. They should be conserved and not be collected from caves in order to preserve the caves’ beauty, interest and scientific values. CRAWFORD COUNTY: Abundant speleothems …
Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS Isometric Description: Banded sphalerite, near Hazel Green in Lafayette County, Wisconsin. Sample is about 1 cm long. Sphalerite occurs in a wide range of hydrothermal environments. It is common with chalcopyrite in exhalative massive …
Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4.2H2O Monoclinic Description: Gypsum is a relatively common mineral in a number of environments. It is found in sedimentary rocks, either as a primary precipitate from sea or saline lake waters or as a alteration …