TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Dolomita

Dolomita is a mineral with formula CaMg(CO₃)₂, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Azkarate, Eugui, Esteríbar, Navarra, España and joined the Terrium collection in 1998.

Dolomita from Azkarate, Eugui, Esteríbar, Navarra, España — Terrium

Description

Small aerial cluster of rhombohedra with very well-defined penetration twins, clearly visible on all crystals. The piece shows good transparency, vitreous lustre, very sharp faces and edges, a contact area on the reverse, and a reaction under ultraviolet light.

History of this specimen

Collected directly by Txomin.

About Dolomita

With crystals up to 10 cm, the veins of this open-cast quarry have produced some of the—if not the—best dolomite specimens in the world, with transparent, twinned crystals.

About the locality

It is primarily an open-cast magnesite quarry. For mineral collectors it is a legendary locality.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0374
Composition
CaMg(CO₃)₂
Name
Dolomita
Group
Carbonatos
Category
Meritum Persé
Mine
Azkarate
District / Municipality
Eugui
Province
Esteríbar
Region
Navarra
Country
España
Size (cm)
4 x 3 x 2.3
Weight
23.8 g
Acquired
1998
Ex-collection
Domingo Moreno (Txomín)
Etymology
Named for the French geologist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu, who in 1791 described in the Alps a magnesium-rich limestone that did not effervesce with acid. Dolomieu served as the geologist on Napoleon's Egyptian expedition (1798); after illness, shipwreck and imprisonment, his health was ruined and he died a few months after his release.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

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