Mineral Mondays #5: Pentagonite
Pentagonite
Pentagonite is a rare silicate mineral sought after by collectors. While it is widely known amongst mineral collectors & dealers, it is not known to the average person.
Pentagonite is an interesting mineral. It is a dimorph of another mineral called cavansite. A dimorph in crystallography is a crystal with the same chemical structure, but it crystalizes differently. Pentagonite & Cavansite have the same chemical make up, but they differ in their crystal structure. Pentagonite forms in five pointed, long crystals while cavansite forms in ball shaped clusters.
Some Pentagonite Facts:
- Pentagonite is a dimorph of cavansite.
- Shape - orthorhombic
- Composition - calcium, vanadium, silicate
- Hardness - 3 - 4 (low, diamond is 10)
- Refractive index (fire) - 1.54 (diamond is 2.417 - 2.419)
What attracted me to pentagonite was it's electric blue color. It's so stunning you have to stop and ask what it is. Add to that it is rare. Originally discovered in Oregon, I have never seen a specimen from there, it was only mined in any quantity in India from one mine. That mine that produced it has been closed so there will be no more new material on the market. Kinda like crypto, once it's mined it's done.
Enjoy some additional photos of pentagonite.
Next Mineral Mondays #6: Topaz
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What a incredible blue color, I'm looking forward to each
Mineral Monday :-) Thank you!
Thank you for reading and commenting. Let me know if you have any suggestions on improving the posts.
Very cool. I found you via @shasta 's comment. The blue color is really quit stunning especially on that first picture.
Thanks. I'm not the best photographer, intact I'm not one at all. I just take pictures, some good, some bad.
This is so impressive.
You're on fire!