ARFVEDSONITE
Specimen arf-1

Dims: 1.7 x 1.7 x 0.8" (4.3 x 4.2 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 1.1 oz. (30 g)

Kola Peninsula, Russia

A few sprays of radiating Arfvedsonite needles are embedded in the agpaitic pegmatite matrix of this hand specimen. These needles reach lengths nearly 0.8" (2.0 cm) and are in good condition, being protected by the surrounding matrix. Their monoclinic needlelike form is difficult to study, as the thicker crystals are generally broken, but it appears to be good. All have a black color and a dull or vitreous luster and are likley opaque.

Dims: 1.1 x 1.0 x 0.9" (2.8 x 2.6 x 2.2 cm)

Wt: 0.6 oz. (18 g) w/ base

Mount Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

Several well-formed Arfvedsonite crystals rest on the pegmatite base of this thumbnail piece. These crystals reach lengths of nearly 0.4" (1 cm) and are generally in excellent condition. Their monoclinic prismatic form is also excellent, and all have a black color and a pearly-to-vitreous luster. They rest among a cluster of tiny, thin apophyllites and some tabular crystals that I cannot identify- they could be a rare form of apophyllite. The specimen is hot-glued to a flat acrylic base.

Dims: 1.2 x 0.6 x 0.5" (3.1 x 1.4 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 4 g

Mount Malosa, Zomba, Malawi

Three Arfvedsonite crystals make up part of this thumbnail piece. These crystals are generally in good condition- though two of them have been broken, only one appears to have recent damage; the other is partly healed. All show excellent monoclinic form and have the standard black color with very subtle green highlights. Attached to the Arfvedsonite crystals are 2 pale microclines that are in excellent condition and show very good triclinic form. The specimen is loosely affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box.