This specimen features a good coverage of the rare mineral raite. Raite is known only from MSH, the nearby Demix-Varennes quarry, and three localities in the Kola Peninsula (including the Yubileinaya pegmatite, which is the TL). Raite is rare at MSH, but was relatively abundant in this well known find from ca 2003. (The raite was confirmed on various specimens at the CMN via microprobe and also at the ROM via EDS. The color varies greatly, but all samples were found to be raite. There is no yofortierite or tuperssuatsiaite.)
Also of interest are microcrystals of prismatic gmelinite-Na – a habit that is exceedingly rare at MSH, a bit of epistolite, and a fairly good crystal of “eudialyte” (likely eudialyte proper).
The first pair of photos (FOV 2.4 x 3.7) shows orange spherules of raite to about 0.8 mm. They sit on an euhedral, but partial, crystal of eudialyte, a bit of which is visible at top.
The second pair of photos (FOV 3.7 x 2.4 mm) shows lighter colored acicular raite to about 0.7 mm with radiating and jumbled prisms of gmelinite-Na to about 0.9 mm. The gmelinite-Na was confirmed via microprobe at the CMN. There is also some dark brown raite on the specimen (not shown).
The third pair of photos (FOV 3.7 x 2.4 mm) shows more of the prismatic gmelinite. Note that some of the crystals exhibit phantom growth (e.g. the “large” crystal at top center). This requires 20-30X
The fourth pair of photos is an extreme close-up (FOV 1.8 x 2.1 mm) of some more of the gmelinite (crystals <= 0.9 mm). This requires 30-50X.
The ninth photo (FOV 5.8 x 4.1 mm) shows yet more gmelinite prisms (<= 1.1 mm), a bit more raite (bottom right). More importantly, it shows all of the epistolite on the specimen. It is the orange “crackly” looking stuff at left center and right center. The latter spans about 1.9 mm. (The actual color is more pinkish than orange.) Note that this photo has a broader view (lower magnification) than the other photos.
The “eudialyte” crystal can be seen on the far left in the full-view photo. It is actually fairly well-formed though partly contacted on the “top”. It measures about 5 mm in diameter.
Note: Many of these photos can bee seen as stereo photos under Mindat MinID N0R-P3G. In some cases, the color balance is a bit different.
Single item shipping weight (small box with protective case) is 3.2 oz. Up to a total weight of 8 oz (225 g), this could be combined with other items from this or future auctions for the same postage. If you wish to keep an “open box”, let me know. Please see my "Shipping Policy" for details.