SYLVITE
Specimen syv-1
$ 20.00Dims: 2.81" x 2.31" x 1.5"(7.1 x 5.9 x 3.8 cm)
Wt: 3.38 oz.(96.0 g)
Niland, Salton Sea, Imperial County, California, U.S.A.
I have been told that the color of this cluster of Sylvite crystals is actually caused by hematite inclusions. The cluster has crystals that range in size from 3/8"(9 mm) to 3/4"(1.9 cm) along an edge. These crystals occur in three habits: cubes, octahedrons, and octahedrons that are truncated with cubic faces replacing their points. There are also a variety of crystals that are warped beyond recognition, and some massive Sylvite. There is no host rock, but it was stored for a short period of time on an eiderdown-like substance in moist air, because some of these fibers are stuck to its underside. The crystals have a greasy luster to them and are partially transparent, with considerable cloudiness.