Valle de las Plumas (Valle de los Martires), Las Plumas, Martires Dept., Chubut Prov., Argentina

7.2 x 6.3 x 5.6 cm
2.8 x 2.5 x 2.2 in

$75      Click here to order this mineral.                                                                                                                                                              

Ex. Norm Woods

This is a specimen which is extremely difficult to photograph and looks considerably better in person. Part of the difficulty in getting a good picture is the high glossy luster the specimen exhibits overall. A first, I thought it had been lacquered but after soaking in acetone did not change the surface (and reviewing similar specimens from the location on mindat), it appears the luster is completely natural. The specimen consists of a radiating cluster of large pseudohexagonal, prismatic aragonite crystals that have been completely replaced by chalcedony. The dark red brown color is due to impurities of Hematite. When backlit, the edges are luminous.

Condition: Good

Flaws: There are a few places with small, broken surfaces. However, they are not very noticeable because the color is fairly homogeneous. These surface have a little higher luster.

This mineral is also found in the following galleries: Minerals From Latin America | Quartz | Pseudomorphs | Minerals Priced Between 50 and 99 Dollars