Discussions

╳Discussions

Groups

Recent Images in Discussions

Identity HelpNeed help identifying a specimen

6th Nov 2009 19:15 UTCNik Nikiforou

Hi everyone,

This is a Schorl crystal from Gilgit, Pakistan to which are attached some crystals that on first look have the luster and "feel" of Muscovite, but the shape of the crystals is different than I am familiar with. Could these be Titanites with a micaceous coating, or something else? Any help would be appreciated. The Schorl crystal is about 8 cm high.

Thanks.

Nik

6th Nov 2009 19:33 UTCerik vercammen

(Hydroxyl)herderite?

6th Nov 2009 19:58 UTCKnut Eldjarn 🌟 Manager

Albite could also be a possibility.

Have you looked closely at a cleaved surface of the mineral ( should be visible on the bottom of the specimen) and tested the hardness ? Cleavage and hardness would be of great help.

Knut

6th Nov 2009 22:00 UTCRonald John Gyllenhammer Expert

Hi Nik,

You're correct that they do resemble titanite, especially the small translucent crystal at lower left. When Knut mentioned albite I wondered if these could be Albite after Titanite, I don't know. That small crystal I previously referred to seems to show a twinning feature on the top edge, much like titanite. Strange color as well. Just some observations. All the best.

Ron

6th Nov 2009 23:08 UTCTimothy Jackson

I would say Albite too.

7th Nov 2009 16:08 UTCSpencer Ivan Mather

I would also say Albite.

Spencer.

7th Nov 2009 20:34 UTCNik Nikiforou

Thanks for all the suggestions. On Knut's advice I looked at the bottom of the specimen and took some more photos. Looks like Muscovite after all. A very thin leaf flaked off after the photos and it's quite translucent.

7th Nov 2009 21:20 UTCRonald John Gyllenhammer Expert

Thanks for the update Nik. After I read your post I thought...but of course, that makes perfect sense and how could we have missed that! I would guess it's probably somewhere in the Polylithionite-Trilithionite series but who knows for sure unless it's tested.