Epidote

Item Description

Epidote is known from any localities around the world, and most famously from the renowned Knappenwand locality in the Austrian Alps. Most of the Epidote specimens you'll see from Pakistan are found in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, but there are some superb quality specimens that have come out of Balochistan recently. The crystals on this specimen are good quality. At first glance, I was certain this piece had to be from somewhere other than Pakistan (possibly the Knappenwand), due to it's amazingly "wet" luster, smooth crystal faces and dark greenish-black color. It turns out that it's actually from Zard Mountain in Pakistan. This is not terribly surprising, as many of the "Alpine-Type" localities in Pakistan have produced similar minerals to their true European Alpine with attractive "chisel"-shaped terminations. Many of the crystals have formed groups of narrow "fan"-shaped clusters and almost "bow tie"-shaped groups, the largest group measures 1.2 cm long. The piece is crystallized on all sides, but there are some contacts here and there. A nice reference specimen for any fan of worldwide Epidotes or excellent crystal morphology.