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Natrolite Psm Fossil Wood Baryte & Calcite

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Natrolite Psm Fossil Wood Baryte & Calcite

Pseudomorph

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Sipi Caves, Mount Elgon, Manafwa District, Eastern Region, Uganda
Class: 
Combination
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
5.1 × 2.4 × 1.2 cm
Description

A spectacular specimen from an unique find. The Sipi Caves are the only locality I know of with fossil wood  replaced by natrolite - in this case a nice, hollow branch with dark honey-colored calcite and waterclear acicular natrolite crystals growing to the inside. In addition this specimen shows platy creamy-white crystals, baryte, I presume (visual ID). Very rare and uncommon. Of all the specimens I've seen, there are only a handful with those platy crystals.

The caves have a volcanic background. Last described by Udluft (1929) and Holms (British Museum 1937).Was brought to Europe from a scientific excursion. It's strictly forbidden to take anything out of Mount Elgon area for 'normal' collectors because it's a national park.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Natrolite

Formula: 
Na2Al2Si3O10·2H2O
Strunz: 
9.GA.05
Hardness: 
5.0 - 5.5
Streak: 
White
Type Locality: 
Hohentwiel, Singen, Hegau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Wood

Variety Of: 

Plant

Baryte

Formula: 
BaSO4
Strunz: 
7.AD.35
Hardness: 
3.0 - 3.5
Streak: 
White

Calcite

Polymorph of: 
Formula: 
CaCO3
Strunz: 
5.AB.05
Crystal System: 
Trigonal
Hardness: 
3.0
Streak: 
White

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