LEGRANDITE
Specimen leg-3

Dims: 2.9 x 1.6 x 1.2" (7.4 x 4.1 x 3.1 cm)

Wt: 3.1 oz. (88 g)

Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

A single Legrandite aggregate rests in a hollow in the calcareous host of this hand specimen. The aggregate has visible dimensions of 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.3" (1.5 x 1.2 x 0.7 cm) and is in excellent condition due to its protective surroundings. Due to intense intergrowth, it is impossible to isolate individual crystals, but their crystalline tendencies are obvious. All have a rather deep yellow color and a pearly-to-vitreous luster, and are translucent. The hollow in which they rest is lined with bright-red, powdery limonite, and a few tiny, white crystals rest nearby- they could be either aragonites or austinites, I am not sure which.

Dims: 2.8 x 2.4 x 1.8" (7.2 x 6.0 x 4.7 cm)

Wt: 9.3 oz. (264 g)

Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

The calcareous base of this small cabinet specimen holds several sheaf-like Legrandite aggregates. These aggregates do not exceed 0.4" (1 cm) in length and are generally in very good condition, due to the protective nature of the host rock. All show a rather well-defined, thin monoclinic prismatic form, the standard deep-yellow color and a bright pearly luster. Though individual crystals are transparent, the aggregates are merely translucent. A crust of creamy, often rust-stained calcite or dolomite coats the limestone base beneath the Legrandites.

Dims: 2.0 x 1.4 x 1.4" (5.0 x 3.6 x 3.5 cm)

Wt: 2.9 oz. (83 g)

Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

A compact cluster of nearly parallel Legrandite crystals rests on the limonite base of this hand specimen. These needles appear to be in good condition and reach lengths of nearly 0.5" (1.2 cm). Their yellow color and bright pearly-to-vitreous luster are standard for their specie, and though they appear to be transparent, they are generally too intergrown for this trait to show. This intergrowth also makes it difficult to study their monoclinic form. The limonite base on which they rest is partly covered with crusts of what appear to be calcite.