THOROGUMMITE
Specimen thg-2

Dims: 1.5 x 1.2 x 0.8" (3.8 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 1.04 oz. (29.4 g)

Betafo-war, Fort Dasphin, Madagascar

This rather nondescript thumbnail specimen consists of a formless chunk of Thorogummite, in which a few bits of calcite are intermixed. The Thorogummite appears to have been crushed and cemented back together prior to mining, or is simply intensely internally-fractured, it is difficult to tell which. There is no evidence of any crystal form (which is actually a characteristic of this mineral), and all surfaces have a curved, almost conchoidal appearance. The material ranges in coloration from a dark olive-green to brown to black and has a dull vitreous luster. Small portions are translucent or even transparent, but these do not exceed 3 mm in diameter. The associated calcite is massive, milky-white in coloration, and has a dull waxy luster.

Dims: 2.0 x 1.9 x 1.1" (5.1 x 4.8 x 2.8 cm)

Wt: 2.3 oz. (66.1 g)

Betafo-war, Fort Dasphin, Madagascar

This large thumbnail specimen consists of another chunk of heavily-fractured, amorphous Thorogummite in a thin calcite matrix. There may be some subtle evidence of crystal form, but it is beyond my ability to detect. All surfaces are uneven or slightly curved and possess a dull to moderate vitreous luster. The Thorogummite has a color that ranges from dark olive green to brown to black, and ranges from opaque to transparent according to the size and coloration of the piece. The calcite matrix that holds the pieces together is massive and has a milky white coloration and a dull waxy luster.