Microcline (var. Amazonite) with Biotite in Quartz

52 x 51 x 42 mm overall

Rare California Microcline (var. Amazonite) and Biotite combination from the front range of the Inyo Mountains, near Lone Pine California. Several sharp, light-green Amazonite crystals to 14 x 8 mm are perched on and intergrown with massive smoky Quartz. The Amazonite is slightly perthitic, with fine white parallel lines of Albite accenting them. Besides the rare locality, what really makes this specimen stand out is the presences of several sharp, pseudohexagonal, lustrous black books of Biotite to 23 mm across. I am not aware of any other Amazonite locality that produces specimens with well-developed mica. Collected in 1985 by Bob Griffis, this is the only miniature produced during several years of prospecting and collecting, and is in excellent condition.