Smoky Quartz and Spessartine
UNB-2017-0235Minerals » Silicates
Description
Four samples, one is missing.
The Three samples present are of orange/red euhedral/subhedral dodecahedron Spessartine crystals. Lustre is vitreous. One sample has three prismatic euhedral Smokey Quartz crystals that are terminated by double rhombohedrons with visible striations. Vitreous lustre. Largest Quartz crystal: 3.7 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.6 cm. Largest Spessartine crystal size: 0.7 cm x 0.7 cm x 0.5 cm.
Spessartine (Mn3Al2Si3O12) is an aluminum silicate Garnet that can be brownish red, orange-red or hyacinth-red. Lustre is vitreous and streak is colourless. Hardness is 6 1/2 to 7 1/2. Garnet tends to occur as dodecahedrons or trapezohedrons but can also be granular, lamellar, compact or disseminated.
Quartz (SiO2) can come in a variety of colours and when it is pale brown to black it is known as Smoky Quartz. Lustre is vitreous or greasy and hardness is 7. Quartz is usually prismatic, long or short, crystals that are terminated by double rhombohedrons and can have striations crosswise. Quartz can also be granular, massive or disseminated.
Specifications
| Object name | Smoky Quartz and Spessartine |
|---|---|
| ID | UNB-2017-0235 |
| Legal status | Permanent collection |
| Category | Mineral |
| Classification | Mineral group: Silicates |
| Composition |
|
| Origin | Unknown |
| Pieces | 3 |
| Partial | No |
| Measurements |
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Publications
- Chesterman, C.W. 1979. Audubon Society, Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Knopf.