WOLLASTONITE
Specimen wll-4

Dims: 2.4" x 1.3" x 0.9" (6.1 x 3.3 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 1.37 oz. (38.9 g)

Lake Bonaparte, Lewis County, New York, U.S.A.

This simple specimen consists of a few intersecting Wollastonite crystals. These crystals do not appear to be complete, as they have no discernable terminations. Its triclinic form is difficult to determine due to its very splintery fracture. The crystals have a white coloration and a pearly luster that almost appears silky, and is only moderately translucent. Though Wollastonite often shows a strong fluorescence, these crystals do not.

Dims: 2.6" x 1.5" x 1.0" (6.6 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.70 oz. (48.2 g)

Lake Bonaparte, Lewis County, New York, U.S.A.

Like the previous specimen, this piece consists of several partial triclinic crystals that seem to be made up of many parallel, tightly packed fibers or blades. There is only one small projection that seems to consist of a complete crystal on one end of the specimen. Other than that, there are no other intact terminations. The material has a bright, white coloration and a pearly luster, and is translucent. There is no other material present on the specimen.

Dims: 7.5 x 4.9 x 2.5" (19.1 x 12.4 x 6.4 cm)

Wt: 4 lbs., 3.3 oz. (1.907 kg)

Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, U.S.A.

A considerable amount of massive Wollastonite is embedded in this large cabinet specimen. However, it is essentially indiscernable from the milky-white calcite matrix- the only way to clearly see it is by bathing the piece in shortwave ultraviolet light, which will cause the Wollastonite to glow a noticeable orange-yellow coloration. The calcite glows also, but its color is a deeper red-orange, and it glows only dimly. Many tiny franklinite grains or crystals are also embedded in the piece- these are easy to see because they are black in color and do not glow.

Dims: 5.4 x 2.8 x 2.1" (13.5 x 7.1 x 5.4 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 2.5 oz. (521 g)

Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, U.S.A.

This cabinet-sized specimen consists of a massive, white calcite matrix in which is embedded a sizable amount of massive Wollastonite. The Wollastonite is all but invisible against the calcite when viewed under white light, but shortwave ultraviolet light will cause it to glow with a maize-yellow (yellow with a hint of orange) color. A small amount of willemite is also present, with its classic green glow, and the calcite glows only in a few places, and only with a dim orange color, at that.

Dims: 4.4 x 2.8 x 1.9" (11.2 x 7.1 x 4.8 cm)

Wt: 14.7 oz. (416 g)

Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Very many small patches of massive Wollastonite are embedded in the massive calcite matrix of this small cabinet specimen. These small spots are essentially undefinable under white light, but when the piece is exposed to shortwave UV light, the Wollastonite emits a rather bright, maize-yellow coloration. It is accompanied by a very small amount of willemite, which also shows its bright green color, but the calcite that forms the matrix is almost inert with respect to fluorescence.