Thanks for posting this, Dennis.
Looks very interesting. But I, for one, think it would be good if
you could give us a little more time to work on it and extend
the time limit. Not that it will help this one, but might atleast
give me a chance.

Joe

Okay, so I got impatient and decided to give clues to help with the identification of the specimens.  I will post additional clues as the days progress, if they prove to be too difficult to ID.

Here are the clues:

1.  This mineral is rare in NC, having only been reported from two localities, according to Mindat.org.

2.  The two main minerals that make up this specimen are fairly common in NC.  No, it is not from Wake Co., Scott!  This specimen came from a very popular and often visited mine, and it makes me blue to think that is now closed.

3.  I found this specimen at the type locality while on a geology class field trip when I attended Western Carolina University.  (If that's not a big hint, I don't know what is!)

4.  This specimen needs no clue, but here goes.  I found it at a famous NC locality that was once the main US source of a special element that makes up the mineral.

5.  Mindat.org records this mineral from only one NC locality (now closed).

6.  Like #4, this specimen should require no clue.  So, I will not give one at this time.

Good luck,

Dennis

Scott,

Those were all great guesses.  You correctly identified the minerals for #2 and #6, and the county for #3.  So try again.  I don't think I've ever seen Augite, and #4 does resemble Monazite.  (I've lost the only Monazite specimen that I owned, and am trying to add another to my collection)

I will wait until Joe and others weigh in, then I'll add more clues, if needed.  I knew most of these would be difficult and require a little research.  Good luck.

Dennis

Another good guess, Joe.  But it isn't corundum.  Number 6 is corundum as Scott identified.  As a matter of fact, there are no duplicate species in the quiz, all are different. 

Number 1 is by far the most difficult to identify.  Here are the original clues with an additional clues added.  I will continue to add clues until they are identified.

#1.  This mineral is rare in NC, having only been reported from two localities, according to Mindat.org.  It was described in Norway in 1824, and occurs with zeolite minerals.

#2.  The two main minerals that make up this specimen are fairly common in NC.  No, it is not from Wake Co., Scott!  This specimen came from a very popular and often visited mine, and it makes me blue to think that is now closed.  The mine is found past a small waterfall.  Oh yeah, lookout for trip wires and hidden cameras (partially kidding)!

#3.  I found this specimen while on a geology class field trip when I attended Western Carolina University.  (If that's not a big hint, I don't know what is!)  Sorry, my mistake.  This mine is not the mineral's type locality.  It is a ferroan variety of a common pyroxene group mineral found in dunite bodies.  Take a close look at the color.

#4.  This specimen needs no clue, but here goes.  I found it at a famous NC locality that was once the main US source of a special element that makes up the mineral.  This mineral was once found in lesser amounts at other NC mines, especially Cabarrus Co.  It helped make the world a brighter place.

#5.  Mindat.org records this mineral from only one NC locality (now closed).  It is a rare copper phosphate hydroxide mineral, described 1823.

#6.  Like #4, this specimen should require no clue.  So, I will not give one at this time.  This color variety was prized from this locality (closed for 20+ years) due to its incredible asterism.      


Keep guessing.  Good luck.

Dennis

Slightly revised guesses in red:

1. Babingtonite, Martin Marrietta Quarry, Catawba Co.
2. Almandine Garnet, Spruce Pine, Mitchell Co.
3. Enstatite var. Bronzite, mine??, Jackson Co.
4. Tungsten, Hamme Mine or "Tungsten Queen" Vance Co.
5. Looks like wavellite, but I'm seeing two localities in NC on mindat -- I'm stumped on this one too.
6. Corundum, mine?? Franklin Co.

Cool Beans, Dennis. That was fun!
And, ofcourse, very educational.
Never could have done it without all your clues.
Thank you for going to the time and trouble and yes,
I think we'll be up for another one when you get around to it.
Can't believe we missed all the clues about Walker Creek!

Joe

Thanks for the quiz Dennis. I probably learned more about rocks in the research for your quiz than I have in a few years.  Of course without mindat I would have been completely lost.  I look forward to the next opportunity of rock knowledge advancement!