Staurolite
Identification
Important properties
Similar minerals:
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Staurolite with Fibrous Sillimanite (Fibrolite)
This sample, from near Poughkeepsie, New York, contains a large yellow mass of staurolite on the left hand side (PP). The material to the right of the staurolite is mostly a mix of granular quartz and fine fibrous sillimanite. Some of the sillimanite shows upper second order interference colors but most is so fine grained that interference colors are hard to see. Minor muscovite is also present. The field of view is about 3.5 mm. |
Staurolite, Muscovite and Graphite This sample, from western Vermont, contains a large somewhat moth-eaten euhedral yellow staurolite surrounded by a lower-relief mat of clear muscovite and scattered opaque graphite (PP). In PP light, the staurolite has low order interfernce colors (the view is nearly down an optic axis) while the muscovite shows upper order pastels of various hues. The field of view is about 3.5 mm. |
Staurolite This sample contains staurolite
mounted in epoxy. The largest staurolite (2 mm across) contains
many quartz inclusions, showing a classic
"Swiss cheese" texture, typical of staurolite. |
Staurolite in a Quartzite This view shows a large
mass of yellow starurolite surrounded by clear quartz
(PP). The staurolite has a radiating habit, not uncommon for
this mineral. The minor opaque mineral is magnetite, and hematite
stains some of the cracks. This sample comes from Rio Arriba
County, Mexico. The field of view is about 2.5 mm across. |