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Marcasite & Schalenblende

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RSL531348

Marcasite & Schalenblende

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Cimetière Quarry, Seilles, Andenne, Namur District, Belgium
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Cabinet (10-18 cm)
Size: 
13.3 × 7.7 × 3.3 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.40cm
Description

Groups of sharp marcasite crystals, very brilliant, showing the classic forms of "cockscomb". Very stable, defined and partially covering a matrix of small crystals of sphalerite. This matrix presents the known "schalenblende". It is formed by compact sphalerite and wurtzite masses of a pale brown colour, occurring in concentric layers with reniform surfaces. It is believed to have formed by crystallization of a rich-sulfide colloidal dispersion. Good size and aesthetic specimen.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Marcasite

Formula: 
FeS2
Strunz: 
2.EB.10a
Crystal System: 
Orthorhombic
Hardness: 
6.0 - 6.5

Schalenblende

Mixture Of: 

Sphalerite

Formula: 
ZnS
Strunz: 
2.CB.05a
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0

Wurtzite

Formula: 
(Zn,Fe)S
Strunz: 
2.CB.45
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0

Galena

Formula: 
PbS
Strunz: 
2.CD.10
Hardness: 
2.5