More Hidden Collection!

Mineral Matters #650

A little while ago, I received a package from UK-based friend, Richard Bell (Mineral Paradise). I am in the process of writing an article on Loanhead Quarry, near Beith, Scotland, and the package included three specimens with species that I didn’t have from this locality.

When I receive micros in boxes that are different from the ones that I normally use, I (eventually) remount the specimen in one of my own boxes. One of the benefits of doing this is that you get to examine the entire specimen.

On this occasion, the label noted albite, epidote, and thomsonite. Close inspection also showed that there are tiny grey-green chlorites on the albite, so there was one extra species.

However, the real surprise was a small cavity on the “bottom” of the specimen containing a few calcite crystals. On checking, I was pleased to see that they also fluoresce a pleasing red colour, but only under shortwave UV light.

So two additions revealed in my Hidden Collection!

And as a bonus, this also fits this week’s Mineral of the Week Facebook Group theme of minerals associated with volcanoes and basalts. 😁

Below: Calcite, Loanhead Quarry, Beith, North Ayrshire, Scotland, UK. Width of view 3mm.