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Natrolite On Calcite On Fossil Wood

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CLB565845

Natrolite On Calcite On Fossil Wood

Pseudomorph

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Sipi Caves, Mount Elgon, Manafwa District, Eastern Region, Uganda
Class: 
Combination
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
4.7 × 2.8 × 1.7 cm
Description

Colorless, acicular natrolite on dark honey-brown, clear calcite crystals in fossil wood.

Very good specimen from a very unique find. The Sipi Caves are the only locality I know of with fossil wood  replaced by natrolite - in this case a nice, hollow branch with calcite and natrolite crystals growing to the inside, some calcite speared by natrolite needles.

The caves have a volcanic origin (pyroclastic stream?). Last described by Udluft (1929) and Holms (British Museum 1937).Was brought to Europe from a scientific excursion. It's strictly forbidden to take anything out of Mount Elgon area for 'normal' collectors because it's a national park.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Natrolite

Formula: 
Na2Al2Si3O10·2H2O
Strunz: 
9.GA.05
Hardness: 
5.0 - 5.5
Streak: 
White
Type Locality: 
Hohentwiel, Singen, Hegau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Calcite

Polymorph of: 
Formula: 
CaCO3
Strunz: 
5.AB.05
Crystal System: 
Trigonal
Hardness: 
3.0
Streak: 
White

Wood

Variety Of: 

Plant

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