Preface
This
month, we are scoping out another green mineral favorite: Kryptonite.
Many of us are familiar with the name of this exotic extraterrestrial mineral. It
has become
famous since it's discovery around 1943. Though it's properties don't seem to harm
humans
(traditionally), until a discovery around the change of the millennium around a small town
in
Kansas.
Though I do not currently own a piece in my collection, I've been shopping eBay, the
Internet,
and my local rock shops and retail stores for a small sample. No, I do not know a
Lex Luthor,
though I am aware that he is a major collector of provenance.
I understand that a famous natural history museum has a large cabinet-sized crystal in
matrix.
It was misidentified for years, until this summer. Before we pay our admission to
see it for
ourselves, we must learn a little more about this glowing green wonder. Let's
go!
Introduction
Welcome to
another Mineral Picfest!
This month, we
are featuring Kryptonite, which is a family of minerals, each possessing
markedly different properties.
Before we go further in this short article, I must admit, as many of you already know,
that
Kryptonite is a fictitious mineral. It was created as a plot device to give our
world's superhero,
Superman, a weakness for the villains in his stories to exploit. This holds true in
this summer's
blockbuster movie, Superman Returns, in which our hero faces his archenemy
Luthor, once
again. I won't spoil the story for you, if you intend to see the film; but, I will
touch upon aspects
ofthe hero and the villain in their quest for crystals and geology.
The Superman character, created in the 1930s by S & S, is not a big fan of
Kryptonite. He
is loathe to be in proximity of any sample from his home planet Kypton, as it affects him
in
various, unsavory ways.
Lex Luthor, on the other hand, loves to procure whatever samples he can get his nefarious
hands upon. His goal is to destroy Superman, usually with Kryptonite as a
superpower-weakening
agent, then kill him. May he succeeds this time, I won't tell.
This criminal genius also has a soft spot for real estate development. He likes
crystals. Lex
will even visit a museum to tour such collections. Enough said. It's a shame
that the bad guy
collects minerals. But wait, Superman has his own stash of high-tech crystals from
his father's
collection.
Enough about the new movie. I hope those of us who like geology films (not just in
IMAX), will
go to see it. I did, and liked it, especially since it was "free popcorn"
night at my local theater.
Enjoy!
I only got a fast glimpse at the museum
label on the Addis Ababa Kryptonite meteorite specimen.
It had a complex chemical name and formula which included fluorite. When you watch
the movie,
see if you can spot and remember the name. But please don't do this at the expense
of your timely
enjoyment of the movie! Maybe you will want to check it out the second time you see
it.
Kryptonite is known on Earth only from
meteoric sources, as it is purported to have been pulled
along Superman's spaceship draft, as he rocketed from the exploding planet Krypton to
Earth.
Many theories abound as to why Superman is
affected by bits of his own planet. One might
think the he should be fine when next to pieces of his former home. One of the
prominent theories
suggests that the material is analogous to radioactive minerals here on Earth. It
would affect him
similarly to those atoms that would harm humans.
There are really no uses other than to be
exploited by villains as a weapon to weaken Superman
before destroying him.
It occurs as meteorite impact remnants on
Earth. It's origins are on the planet Krypton. In fact,
our club's local collecting area does not include a collecting locale. However, our
mall toy store has
cloned samples available for a modest fee.
Here are some good references sites:
Superman Celebration
Metropolis, Illinois Chamber
of Commerce
DC Comics, Inc.
The Super Museum, Metropolis, Illinois
 The
"Kryptonite Handbook", DC Comics
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DC
"Superman Returns" Movie Prop Replica
Available for Collecting from DC Direct |
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Kryptonite
Lightstick Toy
Licensed by DC Comics |
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Krypton
Crystal prop from the original
Superman movie
Courtesy of ScreenUsed.com |
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Kryptonite
Key "Smallville" TV prop
made by ReplicaProps.com
Photo by bazaro_sephiroth (eBay ID) |
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Kryptonite
Toy
Licensed by DC Comics |
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Bright
green glowing Kryptonite replica
Photo by Paul Anthony, Jr. |
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"Superman
Returns" Kryptonite prop replica
in collector's edition box with card
Licensed by DC Comics
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Kryptonite
monument, Metropolis, Illinois
Photo by HeroicWorld.com |
The main use for
Kryptonite is to weaken Superman to facilitate his destruction by any arch
villain. The acclaimed television series, "Smallville" offers a different
treatment. You will have
to tune it for developments.
As I mentioned above,
there are at least six colors of Kryptonite, and each affect Superman
rather differently. For example, the best known Green Kryptonite weakens Superman.
The Red
variety makes him surly. To learn more, consult the comic handbook:
In reality, the name
"Kryptonite" has been used by companies and their products. Two
examples are: Kyptonite Performance Boats and
Liquid Kryptonite, a food supplement made by
Bio-Core USA. And, "Kryptonite" is the name of a popular song by Three
Doors Down.
Members' Gallery
Here is where DMS Members can add their Kryptonite
photos to share with us.
Until Next Time
We hope you have enjoyed our all too short visit to
Kryptonite. Please join us next month,
for another article, and we shall journey together!
Until then, stay safe, and happy collecting. 
Article Contributors
I would like to gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of our fellow
Kryptonite
enthusiasts,
collectors, authors, curators, professionals, and club members who made this
work possible. Thanks.
Paul Anthony, Jr.
bazaro_sephiroth (eBay ID)
© 2006 All contributions to this
article are covered under the copyright protection of this article
and by separate and several copyright protection(s), and are to be used for the sole
purposes of
enjoying this scholarly article. They are used gratefully with express written
permission of the
authors, save for generally-accepted scholarly quotes, short in nature, deemed legal to
reference
with the appropriate citation and credit. Reproduction of this article must
be obtained by express
written permission of the author, Kenneth B. Casey, for his contributions, authoring,
photos, and
graphics. Use of all other credited materials requires permission of each
contributor separately.
Links and general contact information are included in the credits above,
and throughout this article.
The advice offered herein are only suggestions; it is the reader's charge to use the
information
contained herein responsibly. DMS is not responsible for misuse or
accidents caused from this
article. All opinions, theories, proofs, and views expressed within this article, and in
others on this
website, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Delaware Mineralogical Society.
Suggested Reading
"It's a Killer! Superman vs.
Kryptonite", DC Comics 1979 Series #36, May 1983
"Kryptonite
Handbook", DC Comics
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About
the Author: Ken is current webmaster of the Delaware
Mineralogical Society. He has a diploma in
Jewelry Repair, Fabrication & Stonesetting from the Bowman Technical School,
Lancaster, PA, and worked as jeweler. He has
also studied geology at the University of Delaware. And,
he is currently a member of the Delaware Mineralogical Society and the Franklin-Ogdensburg
Mineralogical Society. E-mail: kencasey98@yahoo.com.
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