Mineral: Goethite
Locality: Amerzgane, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Dimensions: 11 x 10 x 14 cm

Description: Mass: 1400 g MIM number:1968 Black acicular goethite crystals closely packed in a shiny 7.1 cm diameter ball on a carpet of quartz crystals, some of which include fine goethite needles. The terminations of most of the crystals constituting the ball are platy while on the periphery of the ball they are in needles. The original deposit of this piece is worked for its numerous quartz geodes sold massively in Tizi-n-Tichka and elsewhere in the world. These are usually modest samples where the crystals of quartz are associated with fine goethite needles. Very sporadically balls of goethite crystals are found on quartz carpet: their extraction is not easy, and many balls are damaged. This sample represents the very high end of what has been produced by this mine. Photographer: FMI / James Elliott Publication: "Minéraux - Le Guide des Passionnés"

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