ANNABERGITE
Specimen ann-4

Dims: 2.0" x 1.5" x 0.7"(5.1 x 3.8 x 4.3cm)

Wt: 1.16 oz.( 33.0g)

Km3 Adit, Agios Constantinos, Laurion, Greece

A portion of this specimen's surface is covered with tiny clusters of Annabergite, a hydrated nickel arsenate mineral. Sometimes called "nickel bloom," this mineral occurs in lovely radiating clusters of tiny grass-green crystals. They have a pearly luster that sparkles more than gleams because of their small size- a 10-power loupe is needed to see individual crystals. They have an acicular, radiating habit and are definitely translucent, but are too small to effectively test for transparence. The host rock that these clusters rest on is a dark gray color with substantial rust-staining on it. I have not seen a specimen of Annabergite before, and am impressed with the brightness of its green coloration.

Dims: 2.0" x 1.5" x 0.7"(5.1 x 3.8 x 4.3cm)

Wt: 1.16 oz.( 33.0g)

Laurion, Greece

A small pocket in the brown host rock of this specimen houses several sprays of radiating Annabergite crystals. These crystals do not exceed 2 mm in length, but are in excellent condition, being protected by the recess that they line. Their form is good, though hard to see, and they have a pearly luster. Their color is green and they are translucent. There are several other small sprays of the mineral scattered elsewhere on the host rock, but most of these appear to be incomplete or damaged. There is also a dull, pale-green patch of massive material that I cannot identify- I suppose it could be more Annabergite that was either weathered or subjected to adverse growing conditions.

Dims: 2.8" x 2.0" x 0.7" (7.1 x 5.1 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 3.20 oz. (90.7 g)

Nickel Mine, Churchill County, Nevada, U.S.A.

A substantial amount of Annabergite rests on the green- and rust-colored host rock of this specimen. There is very little crystal form visible in it, so it is difficult to ascertain damage, if that concept even applies. There are a few tiny patches of radiating needles that are pressed against the host rock, along with several bits of a thin crust of the pale green material. Where crystal form is visible, there is a pearly luster, but the crusts all have a very dull luster. A substantial portion of the host rock seems to be permeated with veins of these crusts, and the rock in general in that area has a greenish coloration. Other areas of the host rock show a bright, almost rusty coloration that might be due to limonite. It is a rather odd specimen from a locality that I have never heard of before.

Dims: 2.7 x 1.7 x 1.3" (6.9 x 4.3 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 3.23 oz. (91.5 g)

KM-4 Adit, Laurion, Greece

Several tiny sprays of radiating Annabergite crystals rest in a hollow in the host rock of this specimen. The crystals are very small, as they do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length, and are generally in good condition, though a few of the most exposed clusters are crushed and incomplete. Under a 10-power loupe, the crystals appear to have a good monoclinic, rhombus-shaped tabular form. They also appear to be transparent and moderately clear, though without magnification these traits cannot be determined. All have a bright green coloration and show glimpses of a pearly luster. The hollow in which they rest is lined with tabular calcite crystals that are stained a pale brown, and the host rock appears to be made of both calcite and possibly limonite.

Dims: 1.3 x 0.6 x 0.5" (3.3 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 10.5 g

Laurium, Greece

This small thumbnail specimen consists of a piece of pale brown host rock on which rests a druse of tiny Annabergite crystals. These crystalsdo not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length and tend to be less than 1 mm thick. Though a few of them are visibly damaged, most are intact and in excellent condition. Even with their rather intense intergrowth, all appear to have excellent monoclinic bladed form- their edges are well-defined and their faces are clean, possessing a bright pearly-to-vitreous luster. All have the classic bright green coloration of Annabergite and are transparent and at least moderately clear. The host rock on which they rest appears to be made of quartzite, though a single broken calcite crystal rests on it near the Annabergite druse. Other sprays of Annabergite needles rest on the other side of the host rock, but these have been coated with a glue or lacquer of some sort.

Dims: 2.5 x 1.6 x 1.5" (6.4 x 4.1 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 2.54 oz. (72.0 g)

KM4 Adit, Laurion, Greece

Many nodules and sprays of tiny Annabergite blades rest in the hollows in the host rock of this speciemen. These blades do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length but are generally in good condition- only the most exposed are damaged. The intact crystals appear to have excellent monoclinic form, with sharp edges and clean faces. All have the standard deep green color and bright pearly luster and are transparent and apparently quite clear, though the nodules are translucent at best. The host rock is made of a gray limestone and is rust-stained in some areas.

Dims: 3.1 x 1.7 x 1.5" (7.9 x 4.3 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 5.52 oz. (156.7 g)

KM4 Adit, Laurion, Greece

Several clusters of tiny, radiating Annabergite blades rest in a crevice in the host rock of this specimen. These blades do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length but are in excellent condition due to their protective surroundings. Though their size makes them difficult to study, their monoclinic form is excellent. All have the grass-green color and bright pearly luster that are standard for the species, and though individual crystals are transparent, the clusters are essentially translucent. Their base is made up of limonite that is coated with a thick layer of white, crystalline calcite.

Dims: 3.0 x 2.1 x 1.7" (7.6 x 5.3 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 5.45 oz. (154.7 g)

KM4 Adit, Laurion, Greece

Many clusters of tiny Annabergite blades line a hollow in the limestone host of this specimen. The crystals that make up the clusters are tiny, not exceeding 0.1" (3 mm) in length, but are in excellent condition. Their monoclinic form is very good, and all have a grass-green coloration and are translucent to transparent, depending on their intergrowth. They rest on a creamy-white calcite crust along with what appears to be a layer of botryoidal goethite.

Dims: 2.1x2.1x1.25" (5.2x5.3x3.2 cm)

Wt: 3.4 oz. (96.5g)

Plaka Mine, Laurium, Greece

This specimen shows the characteristic green of annabergite against a yellow-tan background mineral that I have not identified. Under a loupe, it is apparent that many different minerals are on this specimen, and that the annbergite occurs as tiny transparent bladed crystals with trapazoidal terminations. The clarity of these crystals (with their prismatic shape) gives them a nice druzy sparkle.