Mineral Collecting at La Sambre quarry, Landelies, Belgium

Date:

Speaker: Johan Maertens

Location: Monmouth Worship Center 37 Vanderburg Rd., Marlboro, NJ 07746

CMS member Johan Maertens presents an audio-visual program about the geology and mineral collecting at one of the most prolific, and active, early 21st century localities in Belgium. The Sambre quarry owners remain open to frequent visits by collectors who are regularly rewarded by collectible minerals. The quarry is attractive for its geology and for the abundance of prized calcite crystals. The sizes, occurrences, quality and variety of crystal shapes of the Landelies calcites spurred special sub-collections. Special exhibitions and literature showcase the crystal variety and crystallography of the high quality calcite from La Sambre quarry.

Johan dug crystals at the quarry in his earlier life, and stays in contact with collectors and their new finds. He states this locality is one of his favorite calcite sources. Come and hear and see old and new discoveries for yourself.