Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Incipient pseudomorph: thin layer of blue orthoclase covering a marialite prism Despite being altered and dissolved, the crystal keeps its beveled tetragonal prism and a pyramidal termination UV source: WTC 9W duolamp 365/255 nm, filtered***

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Size: H:3cm x W:2.7cm x D:1.3cm Description A finely terminated stack of parallel orthoclase after marialite crystals Blue not tested but the replacement has exactly the same surface crystallisation patterns and the cornflower blue specimens. This argues for Ferrous/ ferric colouring

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Size: H:4.5cm x W:3.9cm x D:2.8cm Largest Crystal: 3cm Description A stack of super wedgewood blue Orthoclase pseudomorph after marialite crystals with a little attached matrix. Under side a detachment break, and there is a little corner missing to one crystal.

Marialite, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

A 5x4x3 cm gem crystal of marialite in gypsum. From the gypsum diapyr at the Pitwak mine. In white light. Rob Woodside collection, Michael Bainbridge photo

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Iron stained Marialite (PXRD confirmed)pseudomorphing to orthoclase (PXRD confirmed). The Pseudomorph is not complete as orthoclase has no fluorescence but marialite glows bright yellow under long wave UV. This photo is taken under plain light. R.W.M. Woodside collection; Mark Mauthner photo.

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase (PXRD confirmed) pseudomorph after marialite (PXRD confirmed; The blue has been attributed to a feldspathoid (Lazurite, etc.), but if so it is below the detection limits of EDS and PXRD. The blue may also be due to tiny amounts of Fe. See: http://www.mindat.org/mesg-105-318134.html, R.W.M. Woodside collection; Mark Mauthner photo.

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

This specimen consists of a large, complex floater crystal of Marialite which has pseudomorphed to Orthoclase. The specimen is much more blue than the pictures show it - it has a fine sky blue color in person. No Sodalite group mineral has ever been properly detected in this material. The blue colour is most likely due to minute Fe impurities that ...

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Under long wave marialite fluorescence is strong enough to trespass through orthoclase covering which is not fluorescent under this wavelength

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Hackmanite from the Pitwak Mine, Koksha Valley, Afghanistan. This specimen is brightly fluorescent and tenebrescent under UV light (see other photographs).

Marialite, Diopside, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Yellow Marialite with partially digested diopside in white gypsum. Locality on label is Pitwak mine, known for yellow marialites Rob Woodside collection, Ray Hill Photo

Orthoclase, Scapolite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase (PXRD confirmed) Pseudomorph after marialite. R.W.M. Woodside collection; Mark Mauthner photo.

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Diopside, Albite, Quartz

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase (PXRD confirmed) after marialite; The greeish behind the pseudo is Diopside (PXRD confirmed) and the cherty looking white is albite (PXRD confirmed) The blue is below detection limits of PXRD and EDS. Is it: Lazurite?, sodalite? Hauyne? afghanite? or trace Fe impurities. see: http://www.mindat.org/mesg-105-318134.html R.W.M. Woodside ...

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Size: H:3.4cm x W:2.6cm x D:2.3cm Largest Crystal: 2.6cm Description A well formed pair of wedgewood blue orthoclase pseudomorphs after marialite crystals There is no fluorescence to the piece and no explanation apart from natural causes to the round hole to the face of one of the crystals.

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

7.4 x 6.8 x 5.8 cm. A unique, extremely unusual, incredibly large, pale blue orthoclase pseudomorph after a sharp marialite crystal. This rarity is complete-all-around and is doubly terminated. Ex. Brent Lockhart Collection.

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

An unusual, pale blue replacement of a large partially doubly terminated orthoclase crystal psuedomorphic after marialite.

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Beveled tetragonal prism of marialite partially altered to orthoclase on marble matrix Orthoclase is a bluish 1 mm thick outer layer covering marialite crystal Under longwave marialite is intensely fluorescent that only becomes evident in the parts without orthoclase coating and more discreetly where the orthoclase layer is thinner and ...

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Hackmanite from the Pitwak Mine, Koksha Valley, Afghanistan. In this photograph, taken under short wave UV light (254nm), the specimen shows a red/orange fluorescent response. Also see photographs of this specimen taken under visible, mid wave and long wave UV light.

Diopside, Calcite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

This exceptional fluorescent specimen consists of numerous blocky diopside crystals encrusted upon and embedded within a calcite-marble matrix. From the Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. As shown here, this specimen is at its best under mid wave UV (302 nm). The diopside fluoresces pale blue/white and the marble ...

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Hackmanite from the Pitwak Mine, Koksha Valley, Afghanistan. In this photograph the specimen shows a bright and lasting phosphorescent response following exposure to short wave UV light (254nm). Also see photographs of this specimen taken under visible, short wave and long wave UV light.

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Hackmanite from the Pitwak Mine, Koksha Valley, Afghanistan. In this photograph, taken under long wave UV light (365nm), the specimen shows a very bright orange fluorescent response. Also see photographs of this specimen taken under visible, short wave and mid wave UV light.

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Hackmanite from the Pitwak Mine, Koksha Valley, Afghanistan. In this photograph, taken under mid wave UV light (302nm), the specimen shows a red/orange fluorescent response. Also see photographs of this specimen taken under visible, short wave and long wave UV light.

Marialite, Diopside, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Close up of termination

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase pseudomorph after marialite. The light blue colour is due to tiny amounts of Fe. See: http://www.mindat.org/mesg-105-318134.html, Woodside Collection Michael Bainbridge Photo.

Marialite, Diopside, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Close up of Marialite

Diopside, Calcite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

This exceptional fluorescent specimen consists of numerous blocky diopside crystals encrusted upon and embedded within a calcite-marble matrix. From the Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Shown here under short wave UV (254 nm). The diopside fluoresces pale blue/white and the marble matrix shows a contrasting ...

Diopside, Calcite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

This exceptional fluorescent specimen consists of numerous blocky diopside crystals encrusted upon and embedded within a calcite-marble matrix. From the Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. As shown in this photograph, the diopside fluoresces bright blue/white and the marble matrix shows a more subdued pastel purple ...

Lazurite, Marialite, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

6.5 cm high, 2.7 cm xl; Lazurite replacing marialite in gypsum RWM Woodside collection, Michael Bainbridge photo

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

A cluster of hackmanite crystals graces the top of a piece of calcite matrix on this engaging piece from the Koksha Valley in Afghanistan. This is a rare and large matrix specimen from this locality and it hosts an intense, saturated purple cluster of hackmanite crystals. There are three large, relatively distinct crystals that comprise the ...

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

A very sharp, well-defined A group of marialite crystals from small finds made 7-8 years ago. The marialite crystals are pseudomorphing to orthoclase. The pseudomorph is not complete as orthoclase has no fluorescence but the marialite glows a rich yellow-orange under LWUV light; which can be observed on the rear of the specimen where is is ...

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

A crystal of marialite from several small finds made 7-8 years ago. The marialite crystal is pseudomorphing to orthoclase. The pseudomorph is not complete as the orthoclase has no fluorescence but the marialite glows a rich yellow-orange under LWUV light.

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

A large and complex marialite crystal with a strong yellow UV response has been overgrown by orthoclase, giving the appearance of an opaque crystal, the inside can be seen at the contact point at one end which is the only place a UV light will penetrate to illuminate.

Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

A stunning example of the rock-forming, normally "ugly" species marialite (scapolite), showcasing a complete and equant 5 cm crystal perched nicely in enclosing marble matrix. It is gemmy and beautiful, with great sparkling luster - superb on its own merits. It was the example in the Afghan suite of Rob Woodside of Vancouver, which we purchased ...

Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Several Ladjuar Madan mines off in the distance (most notably Pitwak)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Pitwak Mine Entrance

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Pitwak mine entrance

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Label

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

A 5x4x3 cm gem crystal of marialite in gypsum. From the gypsum diapyr at the Pitwak mine. In white light. Rob Woodside collection, Michael Bainbridge photo

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Hackmanite from the Pitwak Mine, Koksha Valley, Afghanistan. This specimen is brightly fluorescent and tenebrescent under UV light (see other photographs).

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Under long wave marialite fluorescence is strong enough to trespass through orthoclase covering which is not fluorescent under this wavelength

Orthoclase, Scapolite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase (PXRD confirmed) Pseudomorph after marialite. R.W.M. Woodside collection; Mark Mauthner photo.

Marialite, Diopside, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Yellow Marialite with partially digested diopside in white gypsum. Locality on label is Pitwak mine, known for yellow marialites Rob Woodside collection, Ray Hill Photo

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Diopside, Albite, Quartz

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

An unusual, pale blue replacement of a large partially doubly terminated orthoclase crystal psuedomorphic after marialite.

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Diopside, Calcite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase pseudomorph after marialite. The light blue colour is due to tiny amounts of Fe. See: http://www.mindat.org/mesg-105-318134.html, Woodside Collection Michael Bainbridge Photo.

Marialite, Diopside, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Close up of termination

Marialite, Diopside, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Close up of Marialite

Lazurite, Marialite, Gypsum

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

6.5 cm high, 2.7 cm xl; Lazurite replacing marialite in gypsum RWM Woodside collection, Michael Bainbridge photo

Diopside, Calcite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

This exceptional fluorescent specimen consists of numerous blocky diopside crystals encrusted upon and embedded within a calcite-marble matrix. From the Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Shown here under short wave UV (254 nm). The diopside fluoresces pale blue/white and the marble matrix shows a contrasting ...

Diopside, Calcite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

This exceptional fluorescent specimen consists of numerous blocky diopside crystals encrusted upon and embedded within a calcite-marble matrix. From the Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. As shown in this photograph, the diopside fluoresces bright blue/white and the marble matrix shows a more subdued pastel purple ...

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Sodalite (Var: Hackmanite)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite, Orthoclase

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Orthoclase, Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Marialite

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Several Ladjuar Madan mines off in the distance (most notably Pitwak)

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Pitwak Mine Entrance

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Pitwak mine entrance

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Label

Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan