Fluoro-richterite

This specimen features pitch-black fluoro-richterite amphibole crystals on massive fluoro-richterite. Crystals of this fine quality are very rare globally and occur only in the calcite vein-dyke systems in this part of Ontario. This particular locality, a well-known spot for local rockhounds, is a mineralized zone located about 100 meters north of Gibsons Road. It was reportedly discovered by local collector Steve Smith around 1995. Since then, the area has been exposed to reveal a much larger expanse, consisting of large crystals contained in, or weathered out of, calcite veins and pods in gneiss and amphibolite. Crystals like this are unusual and you can almost mistake them for shorl!