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Cordylite-(Ce) Parisite-(Ce) & Manganoneptunite

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LMB528245

Cordylite-(Ce) Parisite-(Ce) & Manganoneptunite

Rare Mineral

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Demix-Varennes Quarry, Varennes & St-Amable, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Thumbnail (1-3cm)
Size: 
2.7 × 2.6 × 1.3 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.15cm
Weight: 
9.00gr
Description

World-wide, cordylite-(Ce) is a very rare mineral. The Demix-Varennes quarry is perhaps the easiest place to find it in good crystals, but it is not common even here.

This specimen features an excellent crystal from a find analyzed at Laurentian University (Sudbury) and IGEM (Moscow). The cordylite-(Ce) on this specimen actually has one of the typical habits found at this quarry. But it looks like catapleiite (or even mica), which led to a lot of consternation when first posted on Mindat. Cordylite-(Ce) dissolves with bubbles in HCl, so this simple test would have sufficed to show that the stuff isn’t catapleiite. But the silver lining from all the analysis is that it showed not only that the crystals are indeed cordylite-(Ce), but that there are also inclusions of very small, tabular, crystals of parisite-(Ce), a mineral that is otherwise exceedingly rare here. (Not that you can really see the parisite except in a general way as whitish surface zones.)

The first photo (FOV 3.1 x 2.4 mm) shows the main cordylite-(Ce) aggregate on the specimen. The aggregate spans 1.9 mm horizontally. You will need 30X to see the cordylite as in the photo. There is another, smaller, crystal (not shown).

As shown in the second photo (FOV 2.0 x 2.6 mm), the specimen also has a group of small, very dark red, sharply formed, crystals of manganoneptunite about 0.8 mm on edge. The crystals are difficult to photograph because they are very dark, yet very lustrous. To see the shapes clearly, you need reflections. But strong reflections cause “blowouts” and I wasn’t able to get “glancing” reflections useful enough to highlight faces without getting the “blowouts”. This is just an accessory mineral here so I didn’t want to make a project of it. But under a scope, the crystals are quite attractive – though rather small. You will need 20-30X.

In the full-view photo, the cordylite is visible, growing nearly edge-on to the matrix, at the top of the area of bladed white microcline crystals, just below the very pale green aegirine “fuzz ball” growing on natrolite at top left. The manganoneptunite is dark stuff just to the right of the natrolite.

Single item shipping weight is 3.2 oz. Note that USPS postage rates recently changed significantly. It may be advantageous for foreign customers to hold an "open box" so as to reduce postage costs by combining items from a future auction. Let me know, and I will generate a new “item only” invoice. Postage will be invoiced when all items are actually shipped.

Outside the USA, the stated postage and packing rate applies up to a total weight of 8 oz (225 g).

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

Cordylite-(Ce)

Formula: 
NaBaCe2(CO3)4F
Strunz: 
5.BD.05
Hardness: 
4.5
Type Locality: 
Narsaarsuk pegmatite (Narssârssuk pegmatite), Narsaarsuk Plateau, Igaliku (Igaliko), Narsaq, Kujalleq, Greenland

Parisite-(Ce)

Formula: 
Ca(Ce,La)2(CO3)3F2
Strunz: 
5.BD.20b
Crystal System: 
Hexagonal
Hardness: 
4.5
Type Locality: 
Mun. de Muzo, Vasquez-Yacopí Mining District, Boyacá Department, Colombia

Manganoneptunite

Formula: 
Na2KLi(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Ti2[Si8O24]
Strunz: 
9.EH.05
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
5.0 - 6.0
Colour: 
Red
Type Locality: 
Maly Mannepakhk Mt (Malyi Mannepakhk Mt), Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia...
LMB minerals

Seller Information

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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.