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Identity HelpBavenite or bikitaite - Foote Lithium Mine, NC
3rd Jan 2018 18:36 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
Hello All,
I've been through Mindat's Foote mine pics a dozen times (maybe a slight exaggeration) and have settled on either bavenite or bikitaite as the ID of this little spray - it is just over a mm in diameter. Considering the habit (spray) I decided it is most likely bavenite but before I add to the database I'd like more opinions....
Don S
3rd Jan 2018 20:58 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
3rd Jan 2018 21:35 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
I shied away from bikitaite simply because of the orderliness of the spray. But, the striations were a reason for it's consideration. The terminations also seemed more regular (basal?). Any more suggestions, anybody?
Don S
4th Jan 2018 01:19 UTCDonald B Peck Expert
Based on the terminations, I agree with Reiner. Do you have a petrographic scope? If you do, and there is a tiny xl somewhere else on the specimen that could be sacrificed, Bavinite will go to extinction with the long edge parallel to the cross-hairs. Biktaite, if the xl can lie so beta can be seen, will go to extinction about 25o off parallel. Alpha and gamma are too close to 90o to call. I have a feeling that the natural position will expose alpha, not beta. but . . . .
Don
4th Jan 2018 01:59 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
Thank you for the information but I no longer have a petrographic 'scope. I will, however, add your bikitaite vote to the total!
Don S
edit: OK, after three days of fasting, a couple shots (or three) of good whiskey, my vision told me that Reiner & Don are right - I'm uploading the pic as bikitaite.....
29th Jan 2018 09:23 UTCJason B. Smith Expert
29th Jan 2018 18:14 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
I've got one more unk which I haven't been able to photograph yet (it's DEEP in a pocket), looks to me like a pale blue fluorapatite - I can see two prism face edges at the seemingly correct angles and a perfectly flat termination (if I'm looking at the xl correctly; it's embedded in matrix!).
Don S
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Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: April 26, 2024 14:11:55