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Sunday 6 September 2015

Rocks, gems and minerals - Sunday Stamps II

In 1982 New Zealand issued a set of 6 stamps featuring minerals all of which are found there.

I can only show you two of the set.


Iron Pyrites is mined for its sulphur content and provides 40% of the world's sulphur. Pyrite, iron sulphide, is the world's most common sulphide. It is also known as "fool's gold"

I must confess that I had not heard of the mineral on the 5c stamp.

Carnelian is a variety of the mineral quartz and belongs to the largest class of minerals - the silicates.

The other stamps in the set feature - 
  • 1c Nephrite also known as jade
  • 2c Agate - a variety of quartz
  • 4c Amethyst - also a quartz variety
  • 9c Native Sulphur

I obtained the two stamps illustrated when I was given an envelope from New Zealand which I thought was worth showing again; it carried a lighthouse that would have been right for our theme two weeks ago.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

For more rocks, gems and minerals follow the links at Sunday-Stamps-ii-38.

5 comments:

Mail Adventures said...

The envelope is the real gem!

Joy said...

Nicely themed stamps on the envelope, a lighthouse as a post office sounds like a 'must visit' destination if one were ever in NZ.

Jo said...

You didn't know carnelian Bob? They often polish it for gem stones, you've probably seen it in jeweler's stores but not known what it was.

viridian said...

Love the iron pyrite - that it gets its own stamp.
I have some of those flower stamps from NZ too.

VioletSky said...

I didn't know the carnelian, either. Love the lighthouse post office!