Description

Detailed Description

This one is unique, a goethite pseudomorph and epimorph after marcasite. The marcasite crystal forms are sharp and distinct, with the appearance of radiating from a common centre. However, the crystal group is open from the underside, revealing that it is partially hollow, so in fact it is at least partially an epimorph (visible in the third photograph). The marcasite crystal forms are a dark brown with an attractive gentle lustre. In excellent condition – it seems that in its past the specimen has perhaps been weathered or was otherwise damaged during a late phase of formation, so the bottom is incomplete (this is how we can see the hollows) and there are some imperfect tips on crystal forms, but these are not recent or human-induced features. A very cool specimen!

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About These White Desert Pseudomorphs

This locality has been known for a number of years and pseudomorph specimens have come out once in a while. The pseudomorphs occur within the Cretaceous Khoman Chalk, from which the White Desert derives its name. Most crystals have typically been fairly indistinct, and to date sharp specimens have been uncommon. These specimens are remarkable for their relatively sharp marcasite crystal forms in aesthetic crystal clusters.

Over the years, these pseudomorphs have been variously labeled hematite, goethite and limonite (the latter no longer a valid mineral species name, but is a term still used in reference to unidentified iron hydroxides, so its use has not been incorrect). Recent work by Hannah Allen at Hamilton College has confirmed that the White Desert pseudomorphs are predominantly goethite. The small white grains lodged in among the crystal blades are barite, calcite and gypsum. (Allen, Hannah M., Pseudomorphed Mineral Aggregates of the Khoman Chalk, Western Desert, Egypt, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 46, No. 2, p.66 (2014)).

Although pseudomorphs after cubic and cuboctahedral pyrite crystals have also been found in the Khoman Chalk, the pseudomorphs after marcasite are more dramatic. These pseudomorphs are excellent specimens featuring beautiful marcasite crystal morphology, showing habits and forms exhibited by the crystallized marcasite specimens from the famous occurrences at Cap-Blanc-Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France.