Anatase with micro crystals identification help

I recently purchased this Anatase specimen at the Springfield show. It was labeled as Tysse, Hardangervidda, Norway. It is similar to another specimen posted on mindat attributed to Tysse but I know that this is not a valid source but rather a locallity. My specimen appears to have micro Chlorite crystals attached? Can anyone confirm that it is indeed Chlorite? If so does this narrow down the possible source of this specimen?

The second photo is the best magnification that I can achieve with my macro zoom. The crystals in question are quite small. I can only estimate, but I would say that they are approximately between 0.08 mm and 0.12 mm. The color in the photo is accurate to my eye. The micros seem to be a light silver / green in color.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2012 09:02PM by Mark Godon.

I have found a couple more anatase photos posted on mindat that appear similar to the specimen above. They are; and

My questions are; is the anatase / chlorite association fairly common? Can the particular Chlorite Group member be identified? That is, does the green flash of the micro crystals indicate a high probability of Clinochlore or would full analysis be required to determine which group member it is?

Thanks again for any insight.

Mark, Chlorite is a common association with anatase. From your photos, which are very good, I would not venture a guess as to the identity of the small crystals. They are too small. I don't see any reason they could not be a chlorite.

Most probably chlorite.

From my examination of similar specimens from "Tysse", I would say that it is indeed chlorite. Chlorites does occur together with anatase and quartz in alpine clefts at the Hardangervidda plateau. In some clefts the chlorite occurs as a fine-grained green sand, and anatase like yours has been found in such " chlorite sand". I am not aware of any published analysis of the chlorite from this area.

It's hard to narrow down the precise locality of your specimen. The collectors is often keeping the very locality as a private secrecy. The label " "Tysse" may point to the western part of Hardangervidda, probably in the waste mountain area called Tyssedalsfjella.

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for the feedback. I assumed that the micro crystals were Chlorite Group but the engineer in me hates to ever assume. I also knew that being able to identify the particular group member was a long shot but I knew my best chance for an educated answer was here on mindat.

Knut, thank you for the information on the alpine clefts. The "chlorite sand" description has helped me visualize the occurence much better. Thank you also for the possible location information. I'll have to do a little more research on the Tyssedalsfjella area.