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Malachite On Limonite Psm Goethite Psm Calcite With Calcite & Azurite Psm Gypsum

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Malachite On Limonite Psm Goethite Psm Calcite With Calcite & Azurite Psm Gypsum

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Lavrion District Mines, Attiki Prefecture, Greece
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
5 × 3 × 2 cm
Description

Only two pieces left out of 8 I had from this exceptional material. I've seen a total of 12 pieces from this material and owned 10 of them. Examining carefully each of them they proved to be multiple pseudos of azurite, malachite, gypsum, goethite, calcite and limonite. Almost all combinations of pseudos between those species exist on those pieces, even on one single piece, like this one! Only a gem generation of calcite on the bottom is not involved in the pseudomorphosis! All the rest actually replace a prior generation of calcite with gypsum. This is not only an incredible mineralogical phaenomenon, but also a beautiful collectible result, with many colors and luster from charcoal like to glassy and velvet! I doubt there is any other material with more pseudos than those!

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Malachite

Formula: 
Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Strunz: 
5.BA.10
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0

Goethite

Formula: 
α-Fe3+O(OH)
Strunz: 
4.00.
Crystal System: 
Orthorhombic
Hardness: 
5.0 - 5.5
Type Locality: 
Hollertszug Mine (Hollerter Zug Mine), Dermbach, Herdorf, Siegerland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Calcite

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

Azurite

Formula: 
Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Strunz: 
5.BA.05
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0
Type Locality: 
Chessy copper mines, Chessy-les-Mines, Le Bois d'Oingt, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France...

Gypsum

Formula: 
CaSO4·2H2O
Strunz: 
7.CD.40
Hardness: 
2.0
Streak: 
White.

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