ELPIDITE
Specimen elp-4

Dims: 1.8 x 1.7 x 1.3" (4.6 x 4.3 x 3.2 cm)

Wt: 1.3 oz. (38 g)

Mount Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

Scores of individual Elpidite crystals and radiating Elpidite clusters intersect the white albite base of this hand specimen. These crystals reach lengths of about 1.2" (3.0 cm) and are generally in very good condition, as few of them show any obvious damage. Their orthorhombic form is a bit difficult to define, as individual crystals have a nearly fibrous, aggregated appearance, but is uniform throughout all of them. Their milky-white color is often dulled to a moderate gray, likely due to impurities, and all are translucent. A substantial amount of muscovite is embedded in the albite host, which is hot-glued to an acrylic base.

Dims: 2.0 x 1.2 x 1.0" (5.0 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.3 oz. (37 g)

Mount Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

Intersecting sprays of fine Elpidite needles make up the bulk of this hand specimen. These sprays are in very good condition, showing relatively light damage, and the needles therein reach lengths of 0.8" (2 cm). They are too fine and intergrown for one to effectively study their orthorhombic form, and all have a white color, though some show a brown discoloration. Their luster is pearly, and many are partially transparent. A few bits of what appear to be calcite are present, but there is no base rock. The Elpidite sprays glow a relatively bright green color under shortwave ultraviolet light.

Dims: 5.3 x 1.4 x 1.2" (13.4 x 3.7 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 4.0 oz. (115 g)

Mount Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

This large cabinet specimen consists of a single spray of compact Elpidite crystals. This spray is in excellent condition and contains crystals of over 5" (12.7 cm) in length. The crystals are too tightly packed to show good orthorhombic form, and have a white color with a gray "marbled" discoloration and some apparent rust staining. Their luster is a dull pearly, and all are completely opaque. There is no host rock present.

Dims: 5.6 x 2.9 x 1.9" (14.1 x 7.3 x 4.9 cm)

Wt: 8.8 oz. (249 g)

Mount Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

This display piece is made up entirely of intersecting Elpidite sprays. Most of these sprays show some damage, but all are in reasonably good condition. The individual crystals reach lengths of up to 5" (12.7 cm) and are too intergrown for one to see a good example of their orthorhombic form. Their color ranges from brown to white and their luster from dull to pearly. There is no host rock of any sort on this piece.