Okanoganite-(Y), Zircon, Astrophyllite

In a thousand miarolitic cavities that I examined this winter, only one yielded okanoganite crystals such as these. The cavity might have been easily overlooked as it was crowded with rather unattractive astrophyllite. Some of the crystals adhered only loosely to the astrophyllite blades. In preliminary rinsing, I managed to wash the best of the crystals right down the drain! If it ever stops snowing this year, I will be sure to head up to the pass to look for more ugly astrophyllite and the associated rare species. Meanwhile, as of March 2006, the road to the locality is reported to be covered with forty-five feet (45') of snow! Photomicrograph © Saul Krotki 2006 (.0732.2).
Okanoganite above, zircon crystal, below. Field of view 3.0 mm.

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Photo added: 16th Mar 2006