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Kellyite & Alleghanyite

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LMB186241

Kellyite & Alleghanyite

Type Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Bald Knob, Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina, United States of America
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
2 × 5 × 1.5 cm
Description

Judging from Mindat, kellyite is a very rare mineral, found only in seven localities. It is also not very photogenic – as can be seen from the first two close-up photos here and the three (3!) photos on Mindat.

This specimen is from the TL and - according to the label – it is associated with rounded translucent grains of “rosy” alleghanyite, “less rosy” octahedral grains of galaxite and black jacobsite (e.g. bottom of the first photo) in kutnohorite matrix. The kellyite is the yellow/orange, serpentine looking, blade in the center of the first two photos. It spans about ½ mm. You will need 30X – and the help of a red arrow – to see it. Two more arrows point to other kellyte blebs – not easy to spot.

The second close-up shows rounded, translucent, “rosy” grains of alleghanyite. If there are also “less rosy”, octahedral, grains of galaxite, I fail to recognize them. This is just a small section of the specimen (FOV 6.4 x 4.3 mm). There are plenty of other “rosy” grains. Bald Knob is also the TL for alleghanyite (as well as for galaxite).

Weight 1.2 oz. Single item shipping weight (no case) 3.2 oz. Up to 4 oz, one or two small items could be combined for the same postage.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Kellyite

Formula: 
Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4
Strunz: 
9.ED.15
Hardness: 
2.5
Type Locality: 
Bald Knob deposit (Primary ore body; Crouse Knob deposit), Bald Knob, Sparta, Alleghany Co., North Carolina, USA

Alleghanyite

Formula: 
Mn2+5(SiO4)2(OH)2
Strunz: 
9.AF.45
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
5.5
Type Locality: 
Bald Knob, Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina, United States of America
LMB minerals

Seller Information

Payment options: offline, paypal_wpp, paypal_wps

Seller's terms and conditions

In addition to the standard terms and conditions, please note the following. Almost all IDs are visual. While in most cases the ID is obvious, there may be cases where it is not. If you are doubtful about a particular ID, please ask for more information. Or do not bid! Similarly, if you are not sure that the specimen meets your criteria, do not bid. I have tdone the best I can with the photos. Nevertheless, if you are not happy with a specimen for any reason, I will refund the bid price – but not the shipping costs (unless the fault is clearly mine) – if the specimen is returned. This policy applies even if analysis of the specimen shows that my ID was incorrect. When in doubt, ask - or don’t bid. Note that most crystals at MSH and Varennes are micros - even if on large specimens. Please pay attention to the stated sizes. Any customs duties, fees etc. are the responsibility of the buyer.