RHODIZITE
Specimen rhz-4

Dims: 1.4" x 1.1" x 0.8" (3.6 x 2.8 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 22.1 g

Sahatany Valley, Antisarabe area, Madagascar

When I first saw this odd thumbnail specimen, I thought that it was just another green grossular specimen. Not so! It is actually a rare borate mineral that has a similar color and structure to that of the garnet family. There are 3 discernable crystals on this specimen. The largest has dimensions of 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.5" (1.5 x 1.3 x 1.3 cm) and shows moderate damage in the form of a scuffed, missing point. Other than that, it is in good condition and shows a rather warped variation of the isometric system that I cannot identify. Its edges are sharp and its faces are clean- some show a dull, waxy luster, whereas others have a much brighter, pearly luster. These brighter faces also show triangular growth patterns that are quite subtle but detailed (see the close-up image). The crystals are all a pale green in color and appear to be heavily internally fractured- they are only moderately to dimly translucent. The smaller crystals do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in any dimension. One of these has a rather odd, triangular dipyramidal form; I would have expected it to be octahedral. They rest on a base that appears to be made up of both smoky quartz and some type of feldspar.

Dims: 1.4 x 1.1 x 1.0" (3.6 x 2.8 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 25.1 g w/ base

Sahatany Valley, Antisarabe area, Madagascar

At least two intergrown Rhodizite crystals rest on the quartz base of this thumbnail specimen. The smaller one is mostly intergrown with the larger- its visible dimensions are 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.1" (9 x 8 x 2 mm). The other crystal is much larger, measuring 0.9 x 0.6 x 0.5" (2.3 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm), so I will concentrate on it. Its cubic-based form is highly warped, and appears to be a combination of the octahedral and the dodecahedral forms. Nonetheless, its edges are still well-defined and its faces are lightly striated but clean, and possess a very dull, waxy luster. It has a uniform, pale green coloration and is mostly translucent, though there are a few visible patches of faint transparence. The quartz base on which it formed is badly broken, but has definite crystal form. It is hot-glued onto a flat, square acrylic base.

Dims: 0.5 x 0.4 x 0.4" (1.3 x 1.1 x 0.9 cm)

Wt: 2 g

Ambalanilaifotsy, Fenoarive, Ambatofinandrahana, Madagascar

This small thumbnail specimen consists of a single, loose Rhodizite crystal. This crystal is in fair condition, showing considerable damage, and has a warped, incomplete dodecahedral form. Its pale, yellow-green color and dull pearly luster are standard for its species, and it is translucent and cloudy. The crystal is affixed to a flat, acrylic base with a removable putty.

Dims: 1.0 x 0.9 x 0.8" (2.4 x 2.2 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 0.4 oz. (10 g)

Sahanivotry, south of Antsirabe, Madagascar

This thumbnail piece consists of at least one nearly complete Rhodizite crystal that is partly embedded in a rusty base rock. This crystal has dimensions of about 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.3" (9 x 9 x 7 mm) and is in good condition, showing a small amount of fresh damage on its front. Its octahedral form is obviously warped in some areas but still very good, showing some interesting secondary faces. Its dull yellow color and pearly luster are standard for the specie, and it is transparent but only dimly clear due to many internal fractures and inclusions. Other Rhodizite crystals appear to be present in the host rock, but these are generally badly broken and incomplete. The piece is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box.