This specimen features bladed lorenzenite with several small (to 1 mm) burbankite crystals and abundant orange “smectite group” (?). Accessory minerals include natrolite prisms and a couple of tabular crystals in the ilmenite-pyrophanite series. The lorenzenite was analyzed via EDS (see under the “Analysis” tab). Lorenzenite is very rare in the miarolitic cavity environment at MSH.

The first two photos (FOV 6.6 x 4.3 mm and 4.5 x 3.8 mm resp.) show UK tan/gold blades with orange-brown “smectite”. In the first photo, there are also a few small natrolite prisms.

The next pair of photos (FOV 1.6 x 2.3 mm) shows the largest burbankite crystals. The one in the center is 1 mm long. The more robust crystal next to it has a diameter of 0. 55 mm. Altogether, there are about half a dozen burbankite crystals of various sizes in the photo, but only one termination can be seen. The rest are either encrusted by orange smectite or else ran into “walls”. The burbankite crystals have a somewhat unusual grayish color.

Other burbankite crystals on the specimen have a more normal pale yellow/tan color, but they are very small. Two of these are shown ion the next pair of photos (FOV 1.9 x 2.3 mm). The largest burbankite in these photos is 0.5 mm “tall’. You will need 30-40X to view these crystals. The “large” crystal in the center is natrolite. There are also a few small blades of lorenzenite in these photos.There are two other, slightly larger burbankite crystasl on the specimen. One of them is hidden under the golden blades and very hard to spot. The other stands up straight from the matrix, but the termination has a ‘hat” of smectite. (There maybe be other burbankites hiding under the smectite.)

The next pair of photos (FOV 3.2 x 2.3 mm) shows the best ilmenite-pyrophanite crystal on the specimen. It is 1.8 mm in diameter. There are a couple of much smaller crystals, one of which is shown (partly covered by smectite) in this photo. A sample of the orange-brown “smectite” can be seen at the bottom of these photos. (Note: The “smectite” has not been analyzed. Similar material on another specimen turned out to be “smectite group”. But other similar looking stuff has turned out to be amorphous.)

Single item shipping weight 3.3 oz (94 g). 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 $9.25 (including packing).