San Carlos peridotite with chrome diopside and spinel in volcanic basalt, vivid gemmy color

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San Carlos peridotite with chrome diopside and spinel in volcanic basalt, vivid gemmy colorLocale: San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona Approx dimensions: 3 x 2 x 1. 5" Approx weight: 220g While this material is commonly called peridot in (or on) basalt, it is actually more complex. It would be more accurately called a peridotite xenolith in basalt. Peridot is the gem quality version of the mineral olivine, which is common in our Earths upper mantleand even in space. In comparison, peridotite is a combination of several types of minerals

Specimens including this one feature unusual "tutus" of quartz or chalcedony growth on some of the spires—in this case it has curiously taken on a square shape and banded agate appearance

“Picture jasper” refers to jasper with interesting patterns with vivid colors of veining

The spheres are textured and near-opaque with light near-white color

75 x 2 x 1

broken crystals along the edge reveal the quartz crystals have a clear core bordered by a thin top layer of almost chocolatey brick-red quartz

Agate is another member of the quartz family: the term is used to describe chalcedony (a cryptocrystalline form of quartz) that is banded

" hydroxyapophyllite is a variety of apophyllite that is typically colorless

It can cause the hydroxyapophyllite crystals growing over it to glow a faint red—try it in a dark room

The matte brown mineral coating the specimen is lizardite

Under UV light the calcite fluoresces from under the hydroxyapophyllite crystals

the hole in the front was packed with dirt

The pattern on it looks like a swirling galaxy

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