MSH is the type and only known locality for niveolanite. It was found here only once, in the Poudrette pegmatite. Niveolanite is a rather bizarre Be carbonate. It dissolves with slow effervescence in acids. (But it is toxic – so don’t play with it.) MSH is also the type locality for petersenite-(Ce).
This specimen features several “patches” of niveolanite, the largest ca 13 x 7-8 mm. The longest fibers are ca 3.3 mm. There are also several crystals of petersenite-(Ce), but only one is terminated and another grows “wall-to-wall”. The rest are just fragments. In addition there is a lot of very powdery dawsonite and the usual “pegmatite suspects” – aegirine, siderite, analcime, and microcline.
Part of the largest niveolanite “patch” is shown in the first pair of photos (FOV 5.6 x 4.5 mm). The longest fibers here are a bit > 2.5 mm.
The second pair of photos (FOV 6.7 x 4.5 mm) shows another “patch” with slightly longer fibers to ca 3+ mm.
The third pair of photos shows a relatively small, but very attractive tuft spanning 3.2 mm with fibers to 1.8 mm.
The next photo shows fibers to 3.3 mm growing on siderite. The white powdery stuff is dawsonite. It is easily blown away with an aerosol duster. But the niveolanite, while flexible, is also brittle, so it could be blown away as well – and, as already noted, it is toxic. There are a few other niveolanite tufts on the specimen.
The next pair of photos (FOV 3.1 x 3.2 mm) shows the best of the petersenite-(Ce) crystals. The pale pink, terminated, one is 1.2 mm tall. The other is a bit larger – 1.6 mm – but the terminations, if any, are buried in the matrix. There are some larger petersenite crystals on the specimen, but they are very fragmentary.
The single item shipping weight is close 8 oz. For shipments outside the USA, it may be necessary to trim the specimen slightly to ensure that it can ship safely for the quoted rate, which applies up to a total weight of 8 oz (225 g). For packages with a total weight above 8 oz, there may be a surcharge of $6 to Canada or $9 to all other destinations. (But not if you have a “large” order.)
Within the USA, weight is not so much a concern - there is a nominal increase of $0.20 for each additional ounce. Above 13 oz, I will use Priority Mail. Up to 16 oz, the “own box” Priority rate is $8.75 (including packing).
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