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It's 2020, the year where anything can happen.
The #MinCup2020 bracket is sticking to the rules with all official minerals. Voting starts September 1st.
Who will join legends #Olivine (2017), #Garnet (2018), & #IceMin (2019) to be this year's #champion?
The #MinCup2020 bracket is sticking to the rules with all official minerals. Voting starts September 1st.
Who will join legends #Olivine (2017), #Garnet (2018), & #IceMin (2019) to be this year's #champion?
#MinCup2020 is kicking off quasi-alphabetically in a battle of peacock ore #Bornite vs poisonous red #Cinnabar
Pick your champion, make your arguments, and VOTE!
Pick your champion, make your arguments, and VOTE!
ROUND 1 MATCH 2:
It’s the bubbly #Calcite facing off against the plagioclase feldspar #Albite!
Both are much-beloved, but only one can continue in #MinCup2020. Campaign for your fav & get your votes in!
It’s the bubbly #Calcite facing off against the plagioclase feldspar #Albite!
Both are much-beloved, but only one can continue in #MinCup2020. Campaign for your fav & get your votes in!
ROUND 1 MATCH 3:
It's a contest of the vibrant colours with the blue feldspathoid #Sodalite taking on the yellow-red molybdate #Wulfenite.
Pick your champion, make your arguments, and vote!
It's a contest of the vibrant colours with the blue feldspathoid #Sodalite taking on the yellow-red molybdate #Wulfenite.
Pick your champion, make your arguments, and vote!
Blue takes the round with #Sodalite beating out #Wulfenite! How will it fare against its next red foe #Cinnabar in Round 2?
ROUND 1 MATCH 4:
It's time for green-banded #Malachite vs hexagonal diamond #Lonsdaleite!
Read, set, VOTE!
It's time for green-banded #Malachite vs hexagonal diamond #Lonsdaleite!
Read, set, VOTE!
Despite vigorous support for #Lonsdaleite, the green #Malachite takes the victory. Congratulations and condolences respectively!
ROUND 1 MATCH 5:
It's a battle of occasional gem and full-time pyroxene #Diopside facing off against precious metal #Platinum. Who has your love?
#MinCup2020 is breaking hearts already, so get out the vote to support your fav!
It's a battle of occasional gem and full-time pyroxene #Diopside facing off against precious metal #Platinum. Who has your love?
#MinCup2020 is breaking hearts already, so get out the vote to support your fav!
#Diopside claims the match, keeping up the theme of vibrantly-coloured contestants!
Goodbye for the rest of #MinCup2020, #Platinum.
Goodbye for the rest of #MinCup2020, #Platinum.
ROUND 1 MATCH 6
It’s a showdown between the heat-sensitive clay #Vermiculite and the colourful tourmaline #Elbaite!
Soft or hard? Clay or gem? It’s a tough choice, but you only have 24 hours to vote!
It’s a showdown between the heat-sensitive clay #Vermiculite and the colourful tourmaline #Elbaite!
Soft or hard? Clay or gem? It’s a tough choice, but you only have 24 hours to vote!
ROUND 1 MATCH 7
It's a battle of the silicates with the mica #Muscovite facing off against the amphibole #Glaucophane.
Sheets or double chains? You have 24 hours to vote in #MinCup2020!
It's a battle of the silicates with the mica #Muscovite facing off against the amphibole #Glaucophane.
Sheets or double chains? You have 24 hours to vote in #MinCup2020!
ROUND 1 MATCH 8
Are you ready for a #MinCup2020 glow-down? Radioactive #Uraninite is facing off against fluorescent #Fluorite.
Pitchblende or fluorspar?
Are you ready for a #MinCup2020 glow-down? Radioactive #Uraninite is facing off against fluorescent #Fluorite.
Pitchblende or fluorspar?
We won't need a Geiger counter during #MinCup2020 Round 2 as #Fluorite takes the match from #Uraninite.
ROUND 1 MATCH 9
It's apatite vs serpentine as the most common phosphate #Fluorapatite goes head-to-head with the low-temperature #Lizardite. While both mineral groups have popular support, can the individual minerals pull off a win for #MinCup2020?
It's apatite vs serpentine as the most common phosphate #Fluorapatite goes head-to-head with the low-temperature #Lizardite. While both mineral groups have popular support, can the individual minerals pull off a win for #MinCup2020?
ROUND 1 MATCH 10
Clay #Kaolinite faces off against rosy #Rhodonite!
Do you pick the sheets of an aluminum phyllosilicate clay or the chains of a manganese inosilicate pyroxenoid? The choice of which contender continues in #MinCup2020 is yours!
Clay #Kaolinite faces off against rosy #Rhodonite!
Do you pick the sheets of an aluminum phyllosilicate clay or the chains of a manganese inosilicate pyroxenoid? The choice of which contender continues in #MinCup2020 is yours!
The useful (and arguably beautiful) #Kaolinite wins this match, sending the pink #Rhodonite to the sidelines for the year.
It's a battle of the every-day vs the esoteric for the next #MinCup2020 match! Geo lab staple #Magnetite takes on the extremely rare #Benitoite. Which way do you vote?
Campaign, recruit, show off your samples, load us down with facts, and most importantly, VOTE!
Campaign, recruit, show off your samples, load us down with facts, and most importantly, VOTE!
ROUND 1 MATCH 11
Mighty #Magnetite commands an indisputable victory over #Benitoite, ready to take on #Lizardite during Round 2.
Mighty #Magnetite commands an indisputable victory over #Benitoite, ready to take on #Lizardite during Round 2.
ROUND 1 MATCH 12:
It’s the blue metamorphic indicator #Kyanite braced for battle with the red sublimation-happy #Realgar.
High pressure or low temperature? The Blue Wonder or The Arsenic Ruby? The choice is yours!
It’s the blue metamorphic indicator #Kyanite braced for battle with the red sublimation-happy #Realgar.
High pressure or low temperature? The Blue Wonder or The Arsenic Ruby? The choice is yours!
The Blue Wonder takes the match as #Kyanite handily defeats #Realgar.
Only four more matches in Round 1! Which minerals will continue as competitors for the Champion of #MinCup2020?
Only four more matches in Round 1! Which minerals will continue as competitors for the Champion of #MinCup2020?
ROUND 1 MATCH 13:
It's all about the G: #Gypsum or #Gold?
The evaporite sulfate takes on the native element. Both are relatively soft, both have extensive industrial uses, but only one can continue in #MinCup2020.
It's all about the G: #Gypsum or #Gold?
The evaporite sulfate takes on the native element. Both are relatively soft, both have extensive industrial uses, but only one can continue in #MinCup2020.
In a fiercely-fought battle to the very last vote, #Gold triumphs over #Gypsum!
Will the native metal convert its former opponents in the next round? Or will it face even stiffer competition as they hold a grudge?
Will the native metal convert its former opponents in the next round? Or will it face even stiffer competition as they hold a grudge?
ROUND 1 MATCH 14:
#Almandine takes on #Corundum!
It's a battle of the fancy gems hiding behind mundane names for this #MinCup2020 match! Almandine is an iron alumina garnet you may recognize as Star Garnet, while the aluminium oxide Corundum is the mineral Ruby and Sapphire.
#Almandine takes on #Corundum!
It's a battle of the fancy gems hiding behind mundane names for this #MinCup2020 match! Almandine is an iron alumina garnet you may recognize as Star Garnet, while the aluminium oxide Corundum is the mineral Ruby and Sapphire.
The extremely hard #Corundum decisively takes out garnet’s representative #Almandine in #MinCup2020 Round 1!
ROUND 1 MATCH 15:
It’s a showdown between amorphous #Opal and salty #Halite! Who will be selected and who will be left behind?
(And yes, opal is on the official IMA mineral list.)
It’s a showdown between amorphous #Opal and salty #Halite! Who will be selected and who will be left behind?
(And yes, opal is on the official IMA mineral list.)
After a full-day struggle, #Opal wins at 50.2% over #Halite at 49.8%, a tough battle coming down to approximately 15 ±2 votes.
#MinCup2020 Round 2 #Gold vs #Opal is going to be intense!
#MinCup2020 Round 2 #Gold vs #Opal is going to be intense!
But wait, what's this?
Is it... is it a new contender for the very last match of Round 1?!
It is! #Zircon, accidentally left of the original bracket for absolutely no reason, has demanded the right to battle for the championship of #MinCup2020!!
Well, that's new.
Is it... is it a new contender for the very last match of Round 1?!
It is! #Zircon, accidentally left of the original bracket for absolutely no reason, has demanded the right to battle for the championship of #MinCup2020!!
Well, that's new.
ROUND 1 MATCH 16
It's a 3-way battle between white olivine #Forsterite, classic #Quartz, and time lord #Zircon!
Which has your vote? #Forsterite of the mantle's depths; #Quartz with its gems of Amethyst, Citrine, & Agate, or the sturdy #Zircon? You have 24 hours to decide!
It's a 3-way battle between white olivine #Forsterite, classic #Quartz, and time lord #Zircon!
Which has your vote? #Forsterite of the mantle's depths; #Quartz with its gems of Amethyst, Citrine, & Agate, or the sturdy #Zircon? You have 24 hours to decide!
In an intense heavyweight match with multiple switches in the last few minutes, shadow competitor #Zircon takes the slot!
Will #TeamQuartz back #Opal, or scorn the hydrous alternative?
Will #TeamQuartz back #Opal, or scorn the hydrous alternative?
We made it to ROUND 2!
That was an intense last few battles that went down to the wire. We're a bit scared of what will happen next.
#MinCup2020: Staying exactly on theme with the rest of the year.
That was an intense last few battles that went down to the wire. We're a bit scared of what will happen next.
#MinCup2020: Staying exactly on theme with the rest of the year.
ROUND 2 MATCH 1:
It's red #Cinnabar vs blue #Sodalite!
Both are well-loved, but only one can continue. Give us your facts, photos, and arguments of which one deserves to be champion.
It's red #Cinnabar vs blue #Sodalite!
Both are well-loved, but only one can continue. Give us your facts, photos, and arguments of which one deserves to be champion.
The red and toxic mercury sulfide #Cinnabar takes the match from #Sodalite by 2.2%, approximately 58±2 votes.
Goodbye, sodalite, and may you fare better in 2021!
Goodbye, sodalite, and may you fare better in 2021!
ROUND 2 MATCH 2
We continue on our merry way to a pair of classically popular minerals, the bubbly #Calcite and the green #Malachite.
Make your pick, make your arguments, and go forth to win votes!
We continue on our merry way to a pair of classically popular minerals, the bubbly #Calcite and the green #Malachite.
Make your pick, make your arguments, and go forth to win votes!
By 11-ish votes, the match goes to #Malachite!
Congratulations to the green carbonate, and may the fizzy carbonate #Calcite rest easy until #MinCup2021
Congratulations to the green carbonate, and may the fizzy carbonate #Calcite rest easy until #MinCup2021
ROUND 2 MATCH 3
It's a battle of the shiny when the pyroxene gem #Diopside takes on the flakey glitter #Muscovite!
Will the green mineral be triumphant again? Or will tactile fascination with mica's carry the match? Pick your champion, campaign, and vote!
It's a battle of the shiny when the pyroxene gem #Diopside takes on the flakey glitter #Muscovite!
Will the green mineral be triumphant again? Or will tactile fascination with mica's carry the match? Pick your champion, campaign, and vote!
ROUND 2 MATCH 4:
It’s the tourmaline #Elbaite vs the halide #Fluorite!
Which will continue on top Round 3 of #MinCup2020?
It’s the tourmaline #Elbaite vs the halide #Fluorite!
Which will continue on top Round 3 of #MinCup2020?
Congratulations to #Fluorite with its perfect octahedral cleavage! How will it fare against #Malachite during #MinCup2020 Round 3?
Goodbye, #Elbaite, and maybe we'll see you representing #Tourmaline again next year.
Goodbye, #Elbaite, and maybe we'll see you representing #Tourmaline again next year.
ROUND 2 MATCH 5:
It's the serpentine #Lizardite vs the magnetic #Magnetite! Who has your loyalty?
You have 24 hours to make your arguments, post your pix, recruit voters, and campaign for your chosen champion. Good luck!
It's the serpentine #Lizardite vs the magnetic #Magnetite! Who has your loyalty?
You have 24 hours to make your arguments, post your pix, recruit voters, and campaign for your chosen champion. Good luck!
Despite acquiring a dedicated following, #Lizardite was resoundingly defeated by #Magnetite.
But how will the charismatic mineral do when facing off against either the #Gold or #Opal powerhouses next #MinCup2020 round?
But how will the charismatic mineral do when facing off against either the #Gold or #Opal powerhouses next #MinCup2020 round?
ROUND 2 MATCH 6:
The white clay #Kaolinite is facing off against the blue aluminosilicate #Kyanite.
It’s a K-mineral battle of industry vs academics where kaolinite’s many practical uses are set against kyanite’s utilities as a metamorphic indicator. Which has your vote?
The white clay #Kaolinite is facing off against the blue aluminosilicate #Kyanite.
It’s a K-mineral battle of industry vs academics where kaolinite’s many practical uses are set against kyanite’s utilities as a metamorphic indicator. Which has your vote?
The love of vibrantly-coloured minerals continues as #Kyanite takes the match from #Kaolinite to continue on to Round 3 of #MinCup2020!
ROUND 2 MATCH 7:
It's the highly-anticipated showdown of #Gold vs #Opal.
Both these competitors fought hard to make it this far, but only one can continue in #MinCup2020. Which has your loyalty?
It's the highly-anticipated showdown of #Gold vs #Opal.
Both these competitors fought hard to make it this far, but only one can continue in #MinCup2020. Which has your loyalty?
In the Shiny Showdown, hydrous silicate #Opal takes the match from native element #Gold.
Will #Quartz supporters carry opal closer to the final next round of #MinCup2020? Or will #Magnetite help gold get revenge?
Will #Quartz supporters carry opal closer to the final next round of #MinCup2020? Or will #Magnetite help gold get revenge?
ROUND 2 MATCH 8:
#MinCup2020 marches on as the rock-forming #Corundum faces off against time lord #Zircon.
Will the surprise shadow candidate keep pushing forward? Or will it be taken out by the standard for Mohs hardness 9?
You have 24 hours to decide!
#MinCup2020 marches on as the rock-forming #Corundum faces off against time lord #Zircon.
Will the surprise shadow candidate keep pushing forward? Or will it be taken out by the standard for Mohs hardness 9?
You have 24 hours to decide!
Congratulations #Corundum for defeating #Zircon with a 1% (31-vote) lead! The extremely hard gem will be continuing on while the time lord will retreat until next year.
We're at the #MinCup2020 QUARTER FINALS!!!
We've already had so many close battles and hard-fought races, but from here on out it's just going to get tougher.
Every mineral still in the running has both ardent fans and vengeful opponents.
But only one will be crowned Champion.
We've already had so many close battles and hard-fought races, but from here on out it's just going to get tougher.
Every mineral still in the running has both ardent fans and vengeful opponents.
But only one will be crowned Champion.
ROUND 3 MATCH 1:
It's #Cinnabar vs #Muscovite!
Cinnabar is the toxic red mercury sulfide, while Muscovite is the glittery sheet silicate of the mica group. Neither is going down easy.
24 hours. Recruit, campaign, share photos, tell stories, and VOTE!
It's #Cinnabar vs #Muscovite!
Cinnabar is the toxic red mercury sulfide, while Muscovite is the glittery sheet silicate of the mica group. Neither is going down easy.
24 hours. Recruit, campaign, share photos, tell stories, and VOTE!
Congratulations to #Muscovite! The glittery books march on to Round 4.
Goodbye, #Cinnabar. Despite your scarlet charm, you’ve been licked.
Goodbye, #Cinnabar. Despite your scarlet charm, you’ve been licked.
ROUND 3 MATCH 2
It’s a vibrant showdown between #Malachite and #Fluorite.
That’s a choice between banded green or a rainbow of colours, both with unusual extra characteristics.
It’s a vibrant showdown between #Malachite and #Fluorite.
That’s a choice between banded green or a rainbow of colours, both with unusual extra characteristics.
After a close tie all day with just a handful of votes between these beloved competitors, #Fluorite will be moving on to the semi-finals!
Condolences, #Malachite. The banded green mineral lost by just 1% or 32 ± 3 votes.
Condolences, #Malachite. The banded green mineral lost by just 1% or 32 ± 3 votes.
ROUND 3 MATCH 4
It’s a battle of minerals so iconic they have their own adjectives: magnetic #Magnetite vs opalescent #Opal
Go forth & share why your chosen mineral deserves a shot at the crown!
It’s a battle of minerals so iconic they have their own adjectives: magnetic #Magnetite vs opalescent #Opal
Go forth & share why your chosen mineral deserves a shot at the crown!
Er, ROUND 3 MATCH 3
We got a bit excited and distracted by the photo finish. It’s a good thing Twitter does the ballot counting for us!
We got a bit excited and distracted by the photo finish. It’s a good thing Twitter does the ballot counting for us!
Despite #Opal’s creeping gains as the hours counted down, #Magnetite held on to its early lead and won the match. Congratulations!
ROUND 3 MATCH 4 (for real this time):
#Kyanite vs #Corundum
It’s a hard match to close out the quarter finals, or at least one defined by hardness! It’s Kyanite’s directionally variable hardness facing off against Corundum’s defining the top of Moh’s scale just below diamond.
#Kyanite vs #Corundum
It’s a hard match to close out the quarter finals, or at least one defined by hardness! It’s Kyanite’s directionally variable hardness facing off against Corundum’s defining the top of Moh’s scale just below diamond.
After hovering near 50/50 all day, #Corundum emerges triumphant as the last of our semi-finalists!
Congrats and condolences to #Kyanite, which lost by roughly 44 ± 3 votes.
Congrats and condolences to #Kyanite, which lost by roughly 44 ± 3 votes.
We’re down to the #MinCup2020 SEMI-FINALS with just days until we crown our newest Champion!
Which mineral will earn your votes in this unusual year?
Which mineral will earn your votes in this unusual year?
#MinCup2020 SEMI-FINALS MATCH 1
It’s a magnificent matchup between #Muscovite and #Magnetite.
Both these M-minerals have fascinating unique properties, and both have earned enemies in their rise tyrough the ranks. Your 24 hours begins now!
It’s a magnificent matchup between #Muscovite and #Magnetite.
Both these M-minerals have fascinating unique properties, and both have earned enemies in their rise tyrough the ranks. Your 24 hours begins now!
Congratulations, #Magnetite! We’ll see you on Thursday for the #MinCup2020 Finals!
Condolences, #Muscovite, but a semi-final elimination isn’t shabby for a mineral that was nearly disqualified entirely its first two years.
Condolences, #Muscovite, but a semi-final elimination isn’t shabby for a mineral that was nearly disqualified entirely its first two years.
#MinCup2020 SEMI-FINALS ROUND 2
It’s a pair of distinct, colourful contenders as #Fluorite and #Corundum face off.
Both are much-loved to make it this far, but only one can continue. You have 24 hours to decide.
It’s a pair of distinct, colourful contenders as #Fluorite and #Corundum face off.
Both are much-loved to make it this far, but only one can continue. You have 24 hours to decide.
That went right to the wire. Congratulations #Corundum on the win, that was a hard fight to the Finals!
Condolences to #Fluorite. At 0.6% that margin was 19 ± 3 votes.
Condolences to #Fluorite. At 0.6% that margin was 19 ± 3 votes.
#MinCup2020 FINALS
#Magnetite vs #Corundum
It’s been a month of voting, many times down to the last minute. Both contestants have more than earned their place, but only one can be our 2020 Champion.
Vote, campaign, recruit, & share!
#Magnetite vs #Corundum
It’s been a month of voting, many times down to the last minute. Both contestants have more than earned their place, but only one can be our 2020 Champion.
Vote, campaign, recruit, & share!
