Hematite after Siderite, Pseudomorph / combinations Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Denise]

Here are a few pictures of some sweet combination specimens we found. Hematite pseudomorphs after siderite. Many of these are found on microcline or quartz crystals, and some were rittled with little purple Fluorites and Albites.

They have been a dickens to clean, but so far all I have used is soapy water and vinegar. I try to keep the specimen cleaning process to a safe minimum while teaching Timmy so he can help.

OUCH! See where the smokey quartz busted off at the upper right of the pic?

I'll post more pics after a bit more cleaning.

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[Denise]

These specimes are cool! Nice looking microcline, and lots of little Fluorites and Albites. See the sweet little smokey on the one on the top?

I like mini combinations, and these are tops!

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[Denise]

These were on quartz crystals. The one on the left has lots of little sweet fluorites!
The one in the back has several amazing smokey quartz crystals spearing out around it.

These are going to clean up nicely!

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[Denise]

Whats a Pseudomorph you may be asking yourself?

Pseudomorph-
A mineral that has the crystalline form of another mineral rather than the form normally characteristic of its own composition.

[CP]

Hard to see in the larger shots so here's a close up shot that lets you see the lil' goodies inside the corners.

This one has a couple beautiful smokys nestled on it.
Specimen still needs more cleaning but this one has had some soaking days so it's looking good.
Today I made up a new power brush attachment for the drill, so hopefully that will help clean these up a little quicker. They have alot of funky surfaces that are all at different angles....tough to clean out.

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[Denise]

This is an amazing little specimen here.

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[Denise]

Not only does it have little Fluorites all over it, but it has Amazonite under it. Didnt see it under all that rock dirt...hehe

Now thats a combination specimen!

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[CP]

Ok.....after a bunch of cleaning ....and frustration

Here are some of the "dirty rocks" after they have been cleaned up a bit.
Can you recognize any from the previous pics?

Pretty neat little pieces....many with micro mounts in combinations...WOW!!

First a busy little thumbnail combination .......
Microcline matrix with albite, smokey quartz, with the pseudo perched atop.
Several micromounts to be found with the loupe too!

Note: Click on links above images to see full sized detailed photos.

Large Pic Pseudo combo1

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[CP]

A second view of the same piece.
Can see the keen way the hematite after siderite is "perched" on the tip of one of the smokeys.

Large Pic Pseudo Combo1- second view

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[CP]

Another little thumbnail size piece....again a microcline matrix with small smokeys and the pseudo fanning out above.

Pseudo Combo2

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[CP]

Another view of the previous pic with more microcline matrix showing.

Pseudo Combo 2 - second view

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[CP]

This one I really like.....the pseudo form is awesome..almost velvet looking.
Again a microcline matrix and this one has several micromount pseudo's you can see in the pic as well......(small black dots)
This one is a miniature size.

Pseudo Combo 3

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[CP]

Another view rotated a little.

Pseudo Combo 3 - second view

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[CP]

This one is a miniature as well......very neat forms.
A microcline/amazonite matrix with the pseudos on top with again several micromount of the psuedos.
Amazonite bands are quite pale and hard to see in the pic.

Pseudo Combo 4

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[CP]

Ok.....This one being a bit bigger (hand sized) but another crystal in combination on top of the hematite after siderites.....FLUORITES!! WOOOHOOO!!

Still you see the microcline matrix material, and the larger fanning formation of the pseudo. Fluorites are littered everywhere and are down to micromount sizes.


I almost thought this one need trimming but decided against it.

Pseudo Combo 5

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