Hannah

 

While erythrite is indeed pink, it is a cobalt mineral and while cobalt can sometimes be associated with silver mineralisation, there are, as far as I am aware, no silver deposits nearby and those that are found in England are not generally associated with cobalt. However, it will need some chemistry to confirm this. Although erythrite is pink, cobalt is most famous for imparting a deep blue colour to glass.

 

Cheers

 

Peter Davidson

Senior Curator of Mineralogy

 

Natural Sciences Department

National Museums Collection Centre

242 West Granton Road

Edinburgh

EH5 1JA

TEL: 0131 247 4283

E-mail: [log in to unmask]

 

From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hannah Russ
Sent: 07 April 2015 10:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Pink mineral?

 

 

Dear all,

Apologies for cross-posting,

 

I wanted to write and let you all know the outcome of the 'pink stuff' post I sent last week.

Thank you all for taking the time to contribute to our understanding of this material.

As suggested by a few people, we are thinking that it is erythrite (an example can be seen here: http://www.cobaltmininglegacy.ca/miningAndMilling.php)

 

We have evidence for industrial activity at the site (which is early Roman and located at Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire), and potential silver processing (clay coin/pellet moulds/flan trays), and we think that this pink material is occurring as a result of this process.

Any further comments are welcome!

 

Thank you all again, we hope that you enjoyed the extended weekend!

With best wishes, Hannah

On Tuesday, 7 April 2015, 9:25, Peter Davidson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

 

Hannah

 

Rhodochrosite was certainly found in the West Cumbria ore-field along with iron-ore so finding it in the North of England is not unusual. It is just not the right colour for cinnabar.

 

Cheers

 

Peter Davidson

Senior Curator of Mineralogy

 

Natural Sciences Department

National Museums Collection Centre

242 West Granton Road

Edinburgh

EH5 1JA

TEL: 0131 247 4283

 

From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hannah Russ
Sent: 02 April 2015 10:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Pink mineral?

 

Dear all,

 

We have come across this bright pink ?mineral/?pigment/?industrial waste/?something else, during excavation of Roman deposits in northern England.

We're a bit stumped! We have ideas about it being used in metal working, and have considered that it could be cinnabar, but really we're in the dark.

 

Any ideas/identification would be very welcomed. (also, if it is toxic/harmful....any advice on storage etc also encouraged!)

Enjoy the extended weekend!

With best wishes, Hannah

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Featuring 100+ playable games, take on gaming's greatest icons at the National Museum of Scotland.
Game Masters, 5 December 2014-20 April 2015,
www.nms.ac.uk/gamemasters

National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130
This communication is intended for the addressee(s) only. If you are not the addressee please inform the sender and delete the email from your system. The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of National Museums Scotland. This message is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. No liability is accepted for any harm that may be caused to your systems or data by this message.