Showing 319 items
matching the victoria quartz
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Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - VICTORIA REEF GOLD MINES COMPANY BENDIGO PLAN
Photocopy of a Plan of the Victoria Reef Gold Mines Company, Bendigo. Shaded area is the Victoria Reef Gold Mines Company Lease No. 2 and Lease No. 3. The gullies are named Happy Valley, Long, Derwent, Providence and Ironbark Gullies. The reefs are: Western Victoria, Victoria, Eastern Victoria and Prince Albert Reef. Between the Eastern Victoria Reef and the Prince Albert Reef is the White Lead. Mount Korong Road is at the bottom of the plan. Other Leaseholders are: Burrows, Wybrant, Ballerstedt, Jackson,Roberts & Co, Ashley, Grant, ?rpe, ?eau, Woodward, Coath, Taylor, Cranshaw, Roberts, Gould & Co, Midway, Witscheibe, Endeavour Co, Albert Co, Ballerstedt & Son, Late Iron Bark Quartz Mining Co, McDougall, Specimen Hill Co, Hygrect?, Wheadon, Evans and Bannerman. Signed by H. B. Nicholas. Location of Ballerstedt, Luffsman, Midway Co, Witscheibe and Rae & Co engine locations. Hills are shown as hatch shading. Written at the bottom left ocrner is: Accompanying prospectus issued in Nov. 1859. Signed H.B. Nicholas.plan, bendigo, victoria reef gold mines company, victoria reef gold mines company bendigo - plan, h b nicholas, burrows, wybrant, ballerstedt, jackson, roberts & co, ashley, grant, ?rpe, ?eau, woodward, coath, taylor, cra-shaw, roberts, gou-d & co, midway, witscheibe, endeavour co, albert co, ballerstedt & son, late iron bark quartz mining co, mcdougall, specimen hill co, hyo?, wheadon, evans, bannerman. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Booklet - Victoria Hill
Victoria Hill, accessed from Marong Road, was one of the richest areas on the Bendigo goldfields and was the beginning of reef mining as opposed to alluvial mining. Between 1853 and 1861 there were 16 claims registered on Victoria Hill. Between 1908 and 1910 it was the site of the world's deepest shaft (1365-1406 meters)Today it provides interpretive walks that include sites such as an open-cut mine (1850's), poppet head, quartz crushing battery (1930's) and the foundations of George Lancell's 180 mine. It is registered as a site of historical significance.Clear plastic cover spiral bound booklet of 25 pages. 'Victoria Hill'. A historical background of Victoria Hill and the surrounding area. A colour photo of a poppet head on front. Original story written by Albert Richardson in 1971. This is a revised edition by Philip Wilkin in 2012. Illustrated with colour and B&W photos. Pages 13 to 25 have been inadvertently inserted upside down. A single page A4 leaflet 'Victoria Hill Self Guided Tour' has been put inside after page 1Handwritten in ink on front page 'Donated to Specimen Cottage'victoria hill, gold mine -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - Phyllis Toy Collection: 'Adventure and Advance Mining Company'
This company was registered in May 1871. It amalgamated the Adventure, Advance and Try-me-well mines to mine below the 300 foot levels of these mines.Collection of Government Gazette and newspaper articles relating to the 'Adventure and Advance Amalgamated Quartz Mining Company' on the Victoria Reef, Sandhurst. . Papers include the registration notice of the Mine in 1871, detailing the shareholders. Half yearly meeting reports 1872 - 1880 are attached. Slip of paper attached to each item describes the content, for example 'Half yearly meeting reports of the Adventure and Advance Company as published in the Bendigo Advertiser from 30.1.1872 - 31.8.1880. Missing February 1873, February 1877. Also included, Victoria Consols Company Reports 31.8.1880.adventure gold mine, sandhurst, goldmining, adventure and advance amalgamated quartz mining company -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - "Adventure Gold Mine" Draft
BHS Collection. See item 10727.2Sixty two page copy of a proposed book on the Adventure Gold Mine, a compilation of research done by Phyllis Toy. Front page: ' The Great Adventure, a brief history of the Adventure Mine from its beginning in c1854 until it amalgamation with the Victoria Consols Company o 19/7/1880. Phyllis Toy Collection:adventure gold mine, sandhurst, goldmining, adventure and advance amalgamated quartz mining company -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - German Bible
There was a large influx of German miners to the Bendigo gold fields and they mainly focussed on deep quartz mining. German enclaves existed at Diamond Hill, New Chum Gully, Victoria Hill, Ironbark and in the Whipstick area. The first Lutheran Church was built in 1865 and there were also two German schools. Small bible with hard cover, possibly bakelite/plastic. The cover has an image of Jesus with and angel above each of his shoulders and plants at the bottom of the image. Pages of bible have gold edging. There is a metal clasp to lock. The back is plain and a creamy color.german, bible, religion -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Anglo-Australasian Photographic Company, View of Victoria Hill, Bendigo, taken from Old Chum Hill, c. 1876
Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918. Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography.An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The series of 60 photographs that comprise the series was issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.Albumen silver photograph on boardprinted in ink on support l.c.: VIEW OF STURT STREET, BALLARAT, TAKEN FROM THE TOWN HALL TOWER. / COPYRIGHT REGISTERED. printed in ink on support reverse c.: VIEWS OF VICTORIA. / (GENERAL SERIES.) / No. 13. / VIEW OF VICTORIA HILL, BENDIGO, TAKEN FROM OLD CHUM HILL. / This scene represents two of the principal Quartz-reef claims in the district of Bendigo, with their surface / excavations. The one nearest the foreground is the North Old Chum's Company's claim, which is very rich with / gold-bearing quartz. The other claim, on the hill side, is the private property of Mr. George Lansell, and is even / more valuable than the former, giving employment to over 100 men. The building on the right is the quartz-crushing / plant belonging to the new Chum and Victoria Companies. The excavations are several hundred feet in depth. printed in ink on support reverse l.c.l.: J.W. FORBES, Agent, printed in ink on support reverse l.c.: ANGLO-AUSTRALASIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, MELBOURNE. printed in ink on support reverse l.c.r.: 10 Temple Court, Collins Street West.nicholas caire (1837-1918), landscape photography, victoria hill - bendigo - victoria -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Anglo-Australasian Photographic Company, View of the township of Golden Square, c. 1876
Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918. Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography.An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The 60 photographs that comprise the series were issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.‘View of the township of Golden Square’ : Views of Victoria (General Series) No.57 : Albumen silver photograph | Photo on card with Title and Description on reverse | Mounted 24 x 30 cm; Photo 12 x 17 cm.On Reverse: ‘This Township is situated in the Bendigo district, on the road to Castlemaine, and although it is of little importance as a business town, is nevertheless of large importance in consequence of the great number of Quartz Reefs it contains. Almost every house is undermined, and large fortunes have been made by the proprietors. The Church in the distance is that of the Wesleyan body. It was in this township that gold was first discovered in the district of Bendigo.’nicholas caire (1837-1918), golden square (vic), bendigo (vic), gold mining, landscape photography - victoria -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Decorative object - Clock, Dome Block
clocks were presented as parting gifts to signify someones time at the unit Dome style clock, plastic workings. Presented by SGT W.P Block 14 Dec 1988. Prestige Quartz plastic cover all round ring on top Diameter 190Presented by SGT W.P Block 14 Dec 19885/6 rvr -
Parks Victoria - Maldon State Battery
Concentrating table
The table was used to separate gold from crushed quartz through vibration movement The Phoenix Foundry, part of James Martin and Company, was established by James Martin, MLC, often referred to as the “Father of Gawler”. The Phoenix Foundry was significant, historically, because it formed part of the leading engineering works in the state in the late nineteenth century when Gawler was one of Australia's most important industrial centres. The company was established in 1848 and ceased operation: in1907 Large Phoenix-Weir concentrating table. Rectangular green and pink painted table, inscription on one side with decorative motives, comprises of slatted table top which creates ridges, wooden channel which is bolted on table top, box with holes in base sitting loosely next to channel, table is joined to gear/s which in turn runs belt wheel, gear/s sits on unpainted concrete block, whole table sits on 2 concrete pillars which are raised, table top is tilted on an angle, wooden trough is on lower side of table and sits underneath which is sitting on rusty tins."the phoenix-weir jas martin & co/concentrating table sole makers/gawler. S.A" -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - North-Eastern Gold Days, 1900
Bethanga was established as a result of the discovery of gold. Gold was first reported in the Bethanga area in 1852. Before 1876 gold mining in the Bethanga district occurred to the north of the town and was known as the 'Talgarno diggings'. Reports of alluvial gold date back to 1852. Early gold fields were worked at Ruby Creek, Gold Creek and Jarvis Creek. The opening of the Bethanga goldfields began with the discovery of a gold-bearing quartz reef on New Year’s Day 1876. The 'Gift' mine site is located southeast of Kurrajong Gap lookout to the west of Bethanga township. The Great Eastern Copper Smelting Works was opened in 1878. Due to the nature of the gold-bearing quartz reef, the gold was difficult to extract, and the discovery of copper led to a change in focus. It was not until the early 1890s that an efficient technique for extracting the gold from the ore was discovered, and once again gold became the focus, with copper as a by-product. Bethanga was removed from the official list of goldfields in 1912, however some mining activity has taken place since.This image reflects an important time in the development of Bethanga and Northeast Victoria.A large mounted and framed image of horse teams and their owners hauling a large boiler to the gold mine near Bethanga, Victoria. On label beneath image: "North-eastern "Gold Days"/ Combined teams hauling a boiler to Bethanga Mines, 1900. Teamsters - Mr. G. Pearce, W. Chapple, G, Bannon." Donated by Ron Saunders and Barbara Cadman"bethanga, gold mining northeast victoria, gold mining bethanga, bethanga history -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Book - Secrets of Ghost Towns of the Mountain Goldfields, Luke Steenhuis, 1999
Stories from 50 former towns in and around Melbourne's North-east mountain region. These old towns include: Aberfeldy, Aberfeldy Crossing, BB Township, Blue Jacket, Clarke's Flat, Concord Gully, Edwards Reef, Fultons Creek, Jericho, Loch Fyne, Red Jacket, Store Point, The Springs, Toombon, Toombon Upper, Tullamore, Upper Thomson, Victors Quartz, Violet Town & White Star.non-fictionStories from 50 former towns in and around Melbourne's North-east mountain region. These old towns include: Aberfeldy, Aberfeldy Crossing, BB Township, Blue Jacket, Clarke's Flat, Concord Gully, Edwards Reef, Fultons Creek, Jericho, Loch Fyne, Red Jacket, Store Point, The Springs, Toombon, Toombon Upper, Tullamore, Upper Thomson, Victors Quartz, Violet Town & White Star.ghost towns victoria, gold mining victoria -
Federation University Historical Collection
Map, Ballaarat Gold Field, 1861, 1861
A party of surveyors camped by Yuille's Swamp (later Lake Wendouree) and surveyed the countryside for a map to be produced by the Geological Survey of Victoria. In November 2004 the Central Highlands Regional Library presented a special edition of 200 copies of the 1861 map reproduced from a copy in their collection. Original 1861 map of Ballarat showing streets and leads. Blue dots indicate gold leads, and red lines indicate auriferous quartz reef and outcrops of quartz veins."Compiled & Drawn from the Survey of Mining Surveyors Davidson, Fitzpatrick and Cowan & the Plans in the Surveyor General's Office by J. Brahe, 21st October 1861. R. Brough Smyth, Secretary for Mines. The Honourable J.B. Humffray, M.L.A. Commr of Mines.”ballarat, map, ballarat east, lake wendouree, survey, mines, robert davidson, ballarat gold field 1861, yuille's swamp, wendouree swamp, little bendigo diggings, gold leads, old post office hill, specimen hill, bakery hill, black hill, dead horse creek, brown hill, pennyweight hill, clayton hill, soldiers hill, golden point, gum tree flat, white flat, poverty hill, chinese village, robert brough smyth, ballarat map 1861, ballaarat vineyard, dead horse gully, deadhorse creek, invermay, black hill flat, gaelic church, police reserve, magpie range, dalton's flat, caadian lead, rifle butts, powder magazine, bathing house, government camp, gold office, chinese, llanberrris, victoria theatre, charlie napier hotel, united states hotel, grape's hoel, clayton's hill, cattleyard hill, free trade hotel, esmond lead, bakery hill, black hill lead, juvenile reformatory, ballarat orphanage, lady barkly lead, triffet's slaughter yard, little bendigo, melbourne road, t. cowan, thomas cowan -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - DRAINAGE PROBLEMS - DRAINAGE 1905 - 1908
... Victoria Quartz... Victoria Quartz Two handwritten pages naming the mine, the lowest ...Two handwritten pages naming the mine, the lowest connection and connection to the next mine for the proposed drainage scheme. The second page lists the mines, from South to North, the projected distances in feet and to the nearest yard. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage scheme, drainage 1905 - 1908, mines dept sheet 796/a/6 proposed drainage scheme, south belle vue, eureka ext'd, new chum railway, new shenandoah, shamrock, garibaldi, new chum consol'd, new chum united, lansell's 222, lazarus, old chum ?, new chum & vic, lansell's 180, victoria quartz -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, 1866 - 1867
.1 SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH MOUNTED ON CARDBOARD OF CRITERION QUARTZ MINE, CLUNES. .2 SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH MOUNTED ON CARDBOARD .3 SMALL BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO PRINT .4 ONE MEDIUM SIZE BLACK AND WHITE COPY .5 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO PRINT .6 MOUNTED BLACK AND WHITED PRINT CRITERION QUARTZ MINING COMPANY, REGISTERED, CLUNES. HANDWRITTEN NOTES: PERIOD 1865, ON FLAT GROUND BELOW PORT PHILLIP HILL CREEK BROKE THROUGH INTO WORKINGS ABOUT 1861 VARIOUS NOTATIONS MARKING LOCATION OF BUILDINGS IN CLUNES, INCLUDING PICKFORDS STORE, VICTORIA HOTEL, CAMP HILL, ALBION HOTEL, CRITERION HOTEL, COMMERCIAL HOTEL, BOOT SHOPlocal history, photography, photographs, mining -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - ULSTER GOLD MINING COMPANY NO LIABILITY - UNITY MINE FIRE 8/10/1907 & FAMOUS GOLD MINES
... Victoria Quartz Mine... Hustlers Line Victoria Quartz Mine New Chum Railway Mines Report ...Typed copy of recount by Albert Richardson of a fire at Unity Mine on Tuesday 8-10-1907. Report from the Bendigo Advertiser Wednesday October 9th 1907. Notes mention Fire Brigade, miners, how the fire started and how the men down the shaft escaped when the rope crash down the shaft. On the back is a handwritten carbon copy of notes titled Famous Gold Mines of Bendigo and Eaglehawk. Notes give yields of gold for alluvial and quartz mining. Deep Shafts in 1904 of which there were eleven with a depth of more than 3000 feet and 53 over 2000 feet and two which were more than 4000 feet. Wages for 1911 for Engine Drivers and Firemen and Boiler Attendants. Note on winding plants and air compressors.document, gold, ulster gold mining coy no liability, ulster gold mining company no liability, unity mine fire 8/10/1907, bendigo advertiser 9/10/1907, garden gully reef hotel, wm addicoat, louis pabst, edward morris, conrad inglefinger, edward fuller, frederick allen, wm whitford, mr jewell, carlisle mine, famous gold mines of bendigo and eaglehawk, new chum line, garden gully line, hustlers line, victoria quartz mine, new chum railway, mines report 1911 p15, albert richardson -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - Hustlers, Sheepshead and Deborah lines of reef
Albert Richardson was a mining historian who wrote widely on the mines of the Bendigo Goldfield. The park opposite the Goldmines Hotel in Marong Road, is named in his honour. Five page document, hand written by Albert Richardson on lined foolscap and edited with cross-outs and insertions, . The mines along the Hustlers line of reef and the Sheepshead line of reef are described. Mines listed on Hustlers line of reef: Fortuna Hustlers (1888 - 1913), shaft 2,240 feet at rear of Buckell and Jeffrey's offices; Royal Hustlers Reserve No. 2 - two shafts 'City" 860 feet, now covered by R.S.L. building Pall Mall, steel poppet legs 60 ft high and 'Park Shaft" at rear of Camp Hill School, 1,775 feet, steel poppet legs 60 feet high; Hustlers Hill Group first worked by Jonathan Harris in 1853 and bounded by Valentine, Anderson and Ironbark Creek to the north and Milroy Street to the east, one of first areas worked for quartz reefing. It with Garden Gully line west and Victoria Hill Ironbark, formed by far the richest cross section of the Bendigo Goldfield. Great Extended Hustlers (1865-1921) close to intersection of Anderson Street and Hustlers Road, mullock heap against road and shored up around shaft, steel poppet legs now at Wattle Gully mine, Chewton, large winding machine, air compressor south of shaft and 36 head crushing battery. Hustlers Reef (Old Hustlers) and Hustlers Reef No. 1, two shafts, main 2,210 feet, about 220 yards east of Moran Street and against Fenton Street. , No. 1 shaft 1,140 feet and about 155 yards east of Moran Street. Lansell's Comet, Lightining Hill line, 2.100 feet, on Comet Hill approx 70 yards west of Holmes Road, near Comet Creek, steel poppet legs. United Hustlers and Redan (1876-1918), main Redan, 1,830 feet about 155 yards west of Sandhurst Roead, in line with Comet Hill State School, this hill known as Redan Hill. North, or New Hustlers, once known as Agnew Hustlers, wooden poppet legs, south side, Kneebone Street, Eaglehawk. Derby line, Johnson's No. 3, South Johnson's (east shaft of Collman and Tacchi) 439 feet on west wide of Woods Street, south of Wetherall Street. Paddy's Gully Line, south to north, some shafts - Lansell's 'Sandhurst" ('Needle") Eaglehawk Road shaft 2,425 feet, about 50 yards east of Needle Loops, a brick square sided chimney with Cleopatra Needle top. British American, 789 feet, just south of Holdsworth Road. Collman and Tacchi, main shaft 2,588 feet, 60 yards west of Eaglehawk Road, California Gully. Deborah Line of Reef, The Deborah (1932-1954) shaft 2.017 feet, west of Adams Road and south of Abel Street, Quarry Hill. North Deborah (1937 - 1954) shaft 1,151 feet, Breen Street, Quarry Hill, steel poppet legs. Central Deborah (1939-1954) shaft 1,347 feet Sheepshead line of reef, Lansell's South Red, White and Blue, shaft 2,124 feet, north east of Bellevue Road and 220 yards east of Adams Road. The New Red, White and Blue Consolidated (Big Blue) main shaft 2,416 feet. Lansell's Bendigo Battery 105 head, north of 'Big Blue" on his freehold lease, commenced crushing on 24th February 1895. After closing was erected as the Showground's Industrial Hall, July 1926. North Red, White and Blue, burnt down February 1926, new company 1934, closed 1938. Document is part of the Albert Richardson Collection of Bendigo mining history. bendigo, gold mining, deborah line of reef, sheepshead line of reef, hustlers line of reef, royal hustlers reserve mine, hustlers hill group of mines, great extended hustlers, hustlers reef no. 1, lightning hill line, old comet, collman and tacchi, lansell's comet, north deborah, central deborah, dhrrpdhrsf linr og trrg, new red, white and blue consolidated mine, big blue, lansell's bendigo battery, north red, white and blue mine, albert richardson collection -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Slice Dendrites on Sandstone, Unknown
Dendrites are deposits of black minerals, typically manganese oxides that precipitated from water seeping through fractures in fine-grain rocks like a sandstone or limestone. Dendrites are much less regular than plant fossils and lacks vein structures. The manganese cryztallizes through the process called 'supercooling'. Some samples of dendrites occur in volcanic rocks in the Lilydale district, east of Melbourne. Sandstones are made of tiny sand grains that may have been deposited in the sea and later formed together. Most sandstones are made of quartz which are chemically-resistant minerals. This particular specimen was donated by Alfred Selwyn in 1868 as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria. It is connected to the original 1875 catalogue on Geological Specimen with number 189 'Quartz Crystals_Quartz Crystals (two are polished)'Dendrites on sandstones This specimen is an important contribution to the geological history of Victoria, as well as its links to the 1868 Geological Survey of Victoria. This specimen is part of larger collection of significant geological specimens in the Burke Museum that was collected from around the world between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collection as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria 1852-1974. The Geological Survey of Victoria was an organisation founded in response to the Victorian gold rush to explore the geological and mineral resources and to record a detailed map of the state. It was headed by British geologist, Alfred Richard Cecil Selwyn (1824-1902), who was responsible for issuing over 60 geological maps during his 17 years as director. These maps were all hand-drawn and coloured and became the benchmark for accuracy for geological mapping. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A hand-sized slice of light brown sandstone with dendrites formed from crystallized manganese oxide.Existing label: Not sure what / 'Slica dondrites' / means. / Sample is sandstone and original label / identifies it as from / the Grampians near Stawell. / C. Willman / 15/4/21 Other label: [illegible] / stone [ illegible] / from Grampians Stawell / 1894 /geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, dendrites, sandstones, quartz, lilydale district, geological survey of victoria, grampians, victoria rocks, minerals, rocks, manganese oxides, alfred selwyn -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Thunderegg agates, Unknown
Thunderegg Agates are formed within rhyolite volcanic ash layers. They are rough spherical shapes, varying in size from less than an inch to over a metre long. Thundereggs usually contain centres of chalcedony which may have been fractured followed by deposition of agate, jasper or opal, either uniquely or in combination. A unique characteristic that these specimens have is the fact that they often look like ordinary rocks on the outside, but slicing them in half and polishing them may reveal intricate patterns and colours. These particular specimens are examples of thunderegg agates. Agate is a variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. The agate component contributes to the intriguing internal patterns of the specimens. The specific locality of these specimens is unknown but they can be found in flows of rhyolite lava. They are formed in gas pockets in the lava, which act as moulds. These specimens can be found globally, with specific locations in Germany being particularly abundant. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.Two small solid specimens with pale, sandy-coloured exteriors and fractured internal patterns. burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, thundereggs, thundereggs agate, agate, rhyolite, rhyolite lava, volcanic ash, chalcedony, cryptocrystalline -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Galena (with quartz), unknown
Galena is the natural compound of lead and classed as a sulphide, it crystallises in a cubic pattern and its chemical formula is PbS. Galena is a primary source of both lead and silver. This specimen of Galena comes from Broken Hill. Broken Hill has one of the world’s largest and most significant deposit of ore for the production of lead. Mining of Galena at Broken Hill began with the staking of land by Charles Rasp in 1883. By the following year, in 1884, Rasp and six others had formed Broken Hill Mining Company. Broken Hill Mining Company eventually evolved into BHP group limited and is currently the largest mining company in the world and the largest company in Australia. There is archaeological evidence from artefacts discovered in Turkey that humans have been extracting lead from galena by the process of smelting since at least 6500 BCE. This specimen also has quartz on the top surface which is frequently discovered alongside Galena. This mineral specimen is of historic significance as a sample of Galena extracted from Broken Hill during the 19th century. Mining for Galena in Broken Hill begin in 1883 by Charles Rasp and evolved into the world’s largest mining company – BHP Group Limited. Broken Hill is one of the world’s most significant deposits of ore for the production of lead. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A flat, hand-sized, grey sulphide specimen that is the natural compound of lead with a quartz formation on the top surface. Existing Label: GALENA / (with quartz) / Locality: Broken Hill / N.S.W 120 x 70 x 29geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, galena, galena quartz, quartz, charles rasp, broken hill mining company, bhp group limited, bhp, lead, ore, lead sulphide, sulphide, silver, broken hill