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United States (美国)

9 localities · 55 minerals · 0+ available products

The United States is one of the world's most mineralogically diverse countries, with collector localities spanning every major geological terrane. American mineralogy traces a 19th-century lineage through Franklin/Sterling Hill (New Jersey) — the world's most species-rich locality — and continues through 20th-century gem and ore-mineral discoveries that have established multiple American type localities.

Major U.S. collector regions include: Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey (willemite, franklinite, zincite, hardystonite — 350+ species, the world's most fluorescent locality); Cripple Creek, Colorado (calaverite, sylvanite — type-quality American Au-tellurides); Sweet Home Mine, Colorado (gem rhodochrosite — the species' modern definition); Bisbee, Arizona (azurite-malachite secondary copper mineralogy); Magnet Cove, Arkansas (brookite, schorlomite, perovskite); Searles Lake and Boron, California (hanksite, kernite, colemanite, ulexite — world borate evaporite sources); Benitoite Gem Mine, California (the type and only commercial source of benitoite); and Tri-State Mining District, Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma (Joplin galena cubes, ruby jack sphalerite).

American specimens are particularly important in the historical-collector market: 19th-century Franklin pieces, Sweet Home rhodochrosite from the Alma King and successor pockets, and old Bisbee azurite from the Copper Queen workings carry premium provenance value.

Major Localities & Mining Districts

Collector Relevance

American specimens are foundational to historical mineralogy collections worldwide. The Franklin fluorescent suite (willemite + zincite + franklinite + calcite) defines a unique American collecting genre. Cripple Creek tellurides, Tri-State galena, Sweet Home rhodochrosite, and Bisbee azurite are American collecting royalty — featured in every major museum.

Minerals from United States

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most species-rich American locality?
Franklin and Sterling Hill in New Jersey, with over 350 species recorded, including 90+ fluorescent species. The deposits are the world's only economic source of franklinite and Mn-rich zincite.
Where does American gem rhodochrosite come from?
The Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado, produced the species-quality benchmark rhodochrosite from 1991 to 2004. The mine is now closed; supply is essentially fixed.
Are American mineral specimens still being produced?
Many classic American localities (Franklin, Cripple Creek, Bisbee) ceased operation decades ago, but specimens continue to circulate at high values. Active extraction continues at Boron, Naica-equivalent borate operations, and some Arizona/California secondary copper sites.

My Mineral Box specializes in authentic Chinese mineral specimens, fine crystals, and collector-quality minerals from classic localities. Carefully photographed and thoughtfully selected for collectors worldwide.

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