HEDENBERGITE
Specimen hed-1

Dims: 2" x 2" x 1-1/2"

Wt: 3.9 oz

Dalnegorsk, Russia

Though the Hedenbergite in it is rather nondescript, this is still a very attractive specimen. Hedenbergite actually makes up the host rock, and takes the form of tightly compact radial clusters that splinter off into bladed prisms at their terminations. They look gray-brown and have what almost looks like a fine, grungy dust covering them. Resting amidst the terminations, however, are dozens of exceptional hexagonal bipyramids of clear beta-quartz! Really, that is the most noticeable part of the specimen, and after a while one may realize that the "host rock" is pretty special, too!

Dims: 2.4 x 1.7 x 1.2" (6.1 x 4.3 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 2.84 oz. (80.6 g)

Daln'egorsk, Russia

A cluster of tabular Hedenbergite crystals makes up this specimen. They are in generally good condition- only a few are lightly damaged- and reach maximum dimensions of 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.3" (1.3 x 1.3 x 0.8 cm). All have moderately well-defined monoclinic form, but appear to be at least lightly warped due to intergrowth. They have a variable olive-green coloration, but all are covered with a thin layer of a rather soft, gray-beige material that dulls their color and gives them a greasy luster. A small amount of a pale brown, weathered host rock is attached.

Dims: 0.8 x 0.3 x 0.3" (2.0 x 0.8 x 0.8 cm)

Wt: 12 g w/ specimen box

South Mountain, Owyhee County, Idaho, U.S.A.

An aggregate of heavily-intergrown Hedenbergite crystals makes up this thumbnail piece. They are so intergrown that the piece is essentially a single crystal, so I will refer to it as such. It appears to have been cleaved down its length at one time, but has undergone considerable healing and is in very good condition. Its monoclinic prismatic form is excellent, and its aggregation has produced many small faces that are raised up from the main crystal faces. It has a black color with dark brown highlights and a dull, waxy luster, and it is completely opaque. There is no host rock present, and it is hot-glued inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 1.8 x 0.8 x 0.6" (4.6 x 2.1 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 17 g

Turmiq, Skardu, Northern Areas, Pakistan

A single cluster of a few intersecting Hedenbergite crystals makes up this small hand specimen. The largest of these crystals dominates the cluster, measuring nearly 1.8" (4.5 cm) in length. It is in good condition, showing only minor fresh damage, but it is incomplete due to partly-healed breakage. All have reasonably good monoclinic prismatic form and a deep green color and vitreous luster. All are at least partly transparent, though most are essentially opaque due to intense including and internal fracturing. There is no host rock present.

Dims: 2.9 x 1.9 x 1.5" (7.4 x 4.9 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 5.8 oz. (165 g)

Keene, New York, U.S.A.

This interesting cabinet specimen consists of countless tiny, rounded Hedenbergite crystals or granules(?) that permeate a white calcite matrix. Some of these tiny pieces appear to have some discernable monoclinic form, while others are obviously amorphous. All have an olive-green coloration and a pearly luster, and appear to be translucent. There is some damage to the edges of the piece, but this can easily be "etched clean" by use of hydrochloric acid.