New York Microscopical Society

Many of the early discoveries and advances in polarized light microscopy were derived from applications in mineralogy (Nicol and others), and modern day geologists and researchers still apply these techniques to mineral identification tasks. This lecture takes a step back from the actual microscopy and instead looks at mineralogy itself, focusing on the deposits of one of the most mineralogically prolific areas on earth.

The lecture will be a Power Point presentation taking us through the many geological environments of Russia’s Kola Peninsula, with a glimpse at the complex mineralogy of this far-away region. Although mining activity occurred here as early as the mid-1600s, it was not until A.E. Fersman’s explorations in the 1920’s that the extent of the Kola’s mineral wealth began to emerge. Two alkaline complexes alone, Lovozero and Khibiny, have yielded more than 200 mineral species new to science, and these areas have uncovered over 500 different minerals.

Based on a series of lectures by famous Russian mineralogist Igor V. Pekov, the presentation will include numerous photographs of rare minerals, mining operations and the stark beauty of this largely inaccessible region on the eastern border of Finland along the southern coastline of the Barents Sea.

Tony Nikischer is the founder and president of Excalibur Mineral Corp., arguably the largest and most well-known provider of systematic mineral specimens in the United States with an extensive international cliental as well. The company has specialized in rare minerals and meteorites since 1974, and it added an analytical laboratory with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and SEM capabilities in 1995.

In 2001, the International Mineralogical Association’s Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names honored Mr. Nikischer with the naming of the new mineral “nikischerite”, in recognition for his discoveries and work in the scientific community. He is Chairman and founder of The Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, preservation and public education pertaining to the mineral kingdom. He has served as a director of the not-for-profit Friends of Mineralogy and is a Life Member of the Mineralogical Society of American, a member of the Mineralogical Association of Canada, and a past member of the Spectroscopy Society and the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain. Mr. Nikischer is also publisher of the international monthly journal, Mineral News.

Tony Nikischer: Founder and President of Excalibur Mineral Corp.

Early Discoveries and Advances in Polarized Light Microscopy

When: Sunday, March 21, 2:00 P.M.
Where: New York Microscopical Society Headquarters, Clifton, New Jersey

Following the meeting, NYMS members and their guests are welcome to join the speaker for Dinner at a selected, local restaurant. Please contact Roland Scal (rscal@qcc.cuny.edu; 718-631-6071) by noon on Saturday, March 20th to RSVP for dinner.

MEETINGS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO ALL

Tony Nikischer: Founder and President of Excalibur Mineral Corp.

Early Discoveries and Advances in Polarized Light Microscopy

When: Sunday, March 21, 2:00 P.M. Where: New York Microscopical Society Headquarters, Clifton, New Jersey

Following the meeting, NYMS members and their guests are welcome to join the speaker for Dinner at a selected, local restaurant. Please contact Roland Scal (rscal@qcc.cuny.edu; 718-631-6071) by noon on Saturday, March 20th to RSVP for dinner.

MEETINGS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO ALL

When: Sunday, March 21, 2:00 P.M.
Where: New York Microscopical Society Headquarters, Clifton, New Jersey