MSH is the type and only know locality for charmarite. It is a rare mineral here. This specimen has many individual crystals and groups, but they are small. Many of the crystals appear to be growing epitactically on altering catapleiite. Material from this find has been verified as charmatite-2H via PXRD.
The first pair of photos (FOV 1.9 x 1.3 mm) shows the largest individual crystals and two groups of smaller crystals, apparently in parallel growth (probably due to epitaxy). The larger, brownish, platy, crystals are (probably) altering catapleiite. You will need about 50X to view the crystals as in these photos. (The resolution of my equipment isn’t really up to task of photographing crystals this small. They will look better through a decent scope.)
The second pair of photos (FOV 2.4 x 3.0 mm) shows the neighboring cavity at half the magnification (equivalent to about 30X). The catapleiite crystal in the center is about 0.7 mm. The charmarite aggregate above it spans about 0.3 mm. The crystal (or stack) to the left of that is a bit < 0.3 mm tall. There are several other smaller crystals and groups sprinkled throughout the cavity. Note, in particular, the small parallel aggregate SW of the catapleiite crystal in the center. This aggregate appears to be growing epitactically on theedge of another catapleiite crystal.
The third pair of photos (FOV 1.1 x 1.5) shows two brightly reflective colorless stacks of charmarite about 0.3 mm high. On the opposite side of a catapleiite are tiny, stubby, yellowish charmarite crustals.
The fourth pair of photos shows afew more charmarite crystals, the largest 0.25mm tall. Again, some appear to be growing epitactically on catapleiite.
The specimen was found in August 2003 and is from a highly altered pegmatite. The matrix is very “busy” and “grungy”. The charmarite can be hard to spot.
Single item (small box) shipping weight 1.9 oz. For shipments outside the USA, up to a total weight of 8 oz (225 g), this could be combined with other items from this or future auctions for the same postage. If you wish to keep an “open box”, let me know.
For shipments within the USA, there is a nominal increase of about $0.20 for each additional ounce. Above 13 oz I will use “own box” Priority Mail ($8.75).
This item could be shipped in a padded envelope, if desired. But the postage is the same as for a small box.
