Scapolite (Marialite)

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A stunning example of the rock-forming, normally "ugly" species marialite (scapolite), showcasing a complete and equant 5 cm crystal perched nicely in enclosing quartz matrix. It is gemmy and beautiful, with great sparkling luster - superb on its own merits. It was the example in the Afghan suite of Rob Woodside of Vancouver, which we purchased recently. Dr. Rob Woodside assembled arguably the finest suite of overall Afghani specimens from this deposit and is in fact the author of the best work on the region's beautiful crystals, as published in Mineralogical Record in 2014. This specimen is also featured in MR Sept 2019, page 177 (shown), in an article on Rob's personal collection. As noted by Rob at the time: from a gypsum diapir at the Pitwak Mine, Afghanistan: Deep red fluorescence under SW UV; peach colored fluorescence under LW UV; and rose-pink under midrange UV. Stunning in any light, this is an important example of the species from the location and fluorescence makes it unique compared to other scapolite locales.