Hornblenda
Hornblenda is a mineral with formula (Ca,Na)₂(Mg,Fe,Al)₅(Al,Si)₈O₂₂(OH)₂, in the Anfíboles group. This specimen comes from Somma Vesuvio, Nápoles, Campania, Italia and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Dark, well-defined, lustrous prismatic crystals lining a cavity in volcanic matrix.
About Hornblenda
Hornblende is the generic name for a group of dark amphiboles common in igneous rocks. It is characterised by elongate prismatic habit and dark colour. A representative specimen from Vesuvius.
About the locality
A specimen from the Somma–Vesuvius complex, where hornblendes form in silicate-rich volcanic environments. Specimens are appreciated when the crystals are well formed.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0068
- Composition
- (Ca,Na)₂(Mg,Fe,Al)₅(Al,Si)₈O₂₂(OH)₂
- Name
- Hornblenda
- Group
- Anfíboles
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Matriz volcánica
- Mine
- Somma Vesuvio
- District / Municipality
- Nápoles
- Province
- Campania
- Country
- Italia
- Size (cm)
- 5.5 x 4 x 3.5
- Weight
- 47.9 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Ex-collection
- Panunzi
- Etymology
- From the German "Hornblende", used by early mineralogists in reference to its horn-like dark aspect ("Horn") and dull lustre ("blenden" = 'to deceive').
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
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