(Sparone, Val Locana, Torino, Piemonte, Italia)
Refs:
Pognante, U., Benna, P., Malarico, F. (1988): Incomplete blueschist re-crystallization in high-grade metamorphics from the Sesia-Lanzo unit (Vasario-Sparone sub-unit, Western Alps): a case history of metastability. Lithos, 21, 129-142.
Minnigh, L.D. (1978a): Petrological and structural investigations of the Sparone area in the Orco valley (southern Sesia-Lanzo border zone, western Italian Alps). University of Leiden Dissertation, 121 pp.
Minnigh, L.D. (1978b): Petrological outline of an area near Sparone (Orco valley, Western Italian Alps). Leidsche geologische Mededeelingen, 51, 313-329.
Barresi, A., Orlandi, P., Pasero, M. (2007): History of ardennite and the new mineral ardennite-(V). European Journal of Mineralogy, 19, 581-587.
NB: At today the unique specimen with ardennite-(V), piemontite and quartz was found at the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali (MRSN) of Turin. In the zone investigated by Minnigh (1978a,b) [impervious and wild rocks near the hamlet of Apparé] the "ardennite" is not present (only spessartine, piemontite, hematite, magnesioriebeckite, quartz, "chlorite", "mica" and Mn-oxides).
In the zone investigated by Pognante et al. (1988) any Mn-deposit (or boudin) was found (M.E. Ciriotti, 2008).
Most probably the in situ type locality are erratic blocks found in the Feilongo Creek, Feilongo, Sparone. We found some very limited quantity of "ardennite" in one of the two erratic blocks with piemontite, braunite, quartz and micas that occurred in the two creeks near Feilongo hamlet (M.E. Ciriotti, 05/04/2008).
The valley is also known as Orco Valley.
