gasparite-(Ce) from the Beryllium Virgin Claim, NM

I looked over the images posted on Mindat for this locality. Gasparite-(Ce) is far more common than the chernovite-(Y or Ce) and unless one can make out a distinct tetragonal dipyramidal prism then the best bet for a tiny tellow crystal is gasparite-(Ce). The ID on photo 222309 is probably incorrect.
While at it...photos 176442, 3, and 4 are probably cassiterite, as both the gasparite and chernovite are yellow. The casiterite there has many forms and a few colors.

Pat, thanks for checking out the Beryllium Virgin pics!! I've wondered for years about the gasparite/chernovite question. Since it was your claim, I'll assume you studied it well. It would now seem that what Cookie & I have found at the claim is gasparite-(Ce). It's interesting that local collectors have the impression that, when it came to rarity, gasparite-(Ce) was the more rare. With my 'scope, with highest magnification being 45X, it is difficult to ascertain forms on these tiny xls. We do have a couple that give a clearly "triangular flashback" which could imply a tetragonal dipyramid.....

Don

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