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Astrophyllite

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LMB525250

Astrophyllite

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Small cabinet (7-10 cm)
Size: 
6 × 7.5 × 2.5 cm
Largest Crystal: 
1.10cm
Weight: 
135.00gr
Description

These are astrophyllite porphyroblasts of the type illustrated by Paula Piilonen (CMN) in her guide to astrophyllite-group species identification for collectors at MSH.

I found this type of material only once in 11 years of collecting at MSH. On that occasion, there was a large boulder of it – but I only kept three pieces. After all, the crystals aren’t really euhedral … Well – I made many mistakes worse than that. It seemed like collecting at MSH would go on forever. But it didn’t.

The crystals may not be euhedral, but this is surely a very unusual example of astrophyllite from MSH.

Single item shipping weight is 7.4 oz. If you are planning to hold an "open box" so as to reduce postage costs by combining items from a future auction, please note that USPS postage rates recently changed significantly.

Outside the USA, the stated postage and packing rate applies up to a total weight of 8 oz (225 g). For this item only a couple of micros could be added without pushing the weight into the next postage band (which costs an extra $6.50 to Canada or $10 to other detinations). 

Within the USA, postage now varies by destination. For total weights up to 13 oz, it ranges from $5.25 to $7.00 (including packing etc). Above 13 oz (up to 16 oz), I will use “own box” Priority Mail. The rate, including packing, varies from $8 to $10.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Astrophyllite

Formula: 
(K,Na)3(Fe,Mn)7Ti2Si8O24(O,OH)7
Strunz: 
9.DC.05
Crystal System: 
Triclinic
Hardness: 
3.0
Streak: 
Golden
Type Locality: 
Låven (Skådön; Lamö; Lamanskjaer), Langesundsfjorden, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway
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.