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Techniques for Collectorsgeorgechauite

21st Apr 2016 19:34 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Can anyone recommend a non-destructive technique to confirm or rule out the Na, K, Zr silicate georgechauite? The xls are in a vug in the nepheline syenite phonolite of the dykes in Wind Mountain, Luna Co., NM and are ~two mm deep into the vug and are ~3/4 exposed in the wall of the vug. The xls are ~.75mm on an edge and appear to be orthorhombic. We have found only two vugs (so far) with the suspected georgechauite so would rather not sacrifice. Any suggestions besides "forget it"?

Don S.

21st Apr 2016 20:13 UTCUwe Kolitsch Manager

Simple: If you have more than one crystal, sacrifice one.

21st Apr 2016 21:54 UTCMichael C. Michayluk

Don,

I'm working hard to try and find it at Wind Mountain and have sent a couple suspects off for analysis. I'm hoping it's EDS spectrum could be distinguished from similar minerals like gaidonnayite by the K content. As always, I'll let you know what I find out.

Michael M.

21st Apr 2016 22:23 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Michael, thanks for that!!

Uwe, the two pockets are about a cm apart - I'm afraid that if I dig into one I'll collapse the other. Yes, it is a bit paranoic.....but....

Don S.

22nd Apr 2016 01:00 UTCHenry Barwood

The eternal problem of micromounters and mineralogists in general: You can know what you HAD, or wonder what you HAVE! That is until you find a second one!

22nd Apr 2016 04:49 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Henry, you are SO right!!! If I won the lottery I'd buy an SEM with microprobe AND hire an experienced operator - we could keep him/her busy for quite some time!!!

We are still looking for another sample but no luck yet....

Don S.

2nd May 2016 07:46 UTCBob Rock

How did your EDS go? Georgechaoite has a distinctive Raman spectrum. I don't mind analyzing your sample, if you are willing to send it to Australia?

Bob

2nd May 2016 16:31 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Hello Bob, Thank you for the offer! We haven't found enough suspected sample yet to send for analysis but when we do.....

Don & Cookie