Babingtonite occurrences, Qiaojia Co., Zhaotong Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China

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Occurrences of excellent large babingtonite crystals and other minerals in cavities of Emeishan flood basalts, which cover large parts of southern Sichuan and northeastern Yunnan provinces. A productive zone with large vugs extends for many kilometers along the Yangtze river in Qiaojia County, and similar occurrences are also found at many places in neighbouring Sichuan Province. The localities actually consist of small excavations that were mostly made by collectors.

Recent rumors have suggested that the mineral is not true babingtonite, but is its manganese analog. However, that rumor seems to have no basis. For instance, studies of babingtonites collected from basalt outcrops in Meigu County of Sichuan Province revealed only minor manganese contents in the order of 2-3% MnO (see: http://www.mindat.org/loc-195073.html).

Mineral List

Babingtonite Calcite

Epidote Prehnite

Quartz

5 entries listed. 5 valid minerals.

References

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