SPANGOLITE
Specimen spa-3
$ 70.00Dims: 2.4 x 1.7 x 1.2" (6.0 x 4.3 x 3.0 cm)
Wt: 2.2 oz. (61 g)
Mex-Tex Mine, Socorro County, New Mexico, U.S.A.
This hand specimen consists of several clusters and a few crusts of crystalline Spangolite. The crystals are very small - they do not exceed 1 or 2 mm in length - and are generally in excellent condition, showing little human-induced damage. Close examination reveals two forms - some clusters are made up of radiating trigonal needles that have a deep aqua-blue color and a pearly-to-vitreous luster. There are also botryoidal formations that are paler in color and have a dull luster. Likewise, the crystalline clusters are at least translucent, whereas the botryoidal material is opaque. I wonder if they are actually both made up of Spangolite, however. The base on which they rest is made up of microcrystalline quartz that is coated with a rusty druse of tiny quartz crystals.