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Sodalite & Pyrrhotite

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LMB526437

Sodalite & Pyrrhotite

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Small miniature (3-4.5 cm)
Size: 
3 × 3 × 3.5 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.17cm
Weight: 
30.00gr
Description

Sodalite and its variety hackmanite are, of course, very common at MSH. Sodalite syenite is all over the place. Good, fresh, crystals that are not embedded in matrix - not so much. The micro crystals on this specimen are not the largest, but they are perhaps among the best, that I ever found here myself. They are very pale pink, translucent/to transparent, and well formed.

The first pair of photos (FOV 3.3 x 2.2 mm) shows a very nice combination of a 1.7 mm hackmanite crystal with an 0.8 mm pyrrhotite crystal.

The next pair of photos (FOV 2.2 x 2.2 mm) provides another view of this same hackmanite crystal. (These are old photos. They came out somewhat too blue.)

The third pair of photos shows another pair of crystals, the largest about 2.1 mm.

The seventh photo (FOV 5.0 x 3.5 mm) shows yet another pair of crystals, each about 1.7 mm.

There are a several other, smaller, crystals on the specimen. The crystals will look fairly pink to nearly colorless depending on the angle of view. I don’t really understand why that should be the case.

All of the hackmanite crysrtals shown in the micro photos can be seen (albeit not too clearly) at top center in the full-view photo. But this is a large micro – not a display specimen.

Note: I do not see any UV response, but the crytals may be too small to see this clearly.

Found 4/00.

Single item shipping weight (no case) is 3.7 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). It is no longer possible to save on postage by using a padded envelope.

Within the USA, 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 $8.50 (including packing).

Please see my "Shipping Policy" for details. 

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Sodalite

Formula: 
Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2
Strunz: 
9.FB.10
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
5.5 - 6.0
Streak: 
White
Type Locality: 
Ilímaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kujalleq, Greenland

Pyrrhotite

Formula: 
Fe1-xS (x = 0 to 0.17)
Strunz: 
2.CC.10
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0
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.