"Uralite" (pseudomorphs of Amphibole after Pyroxene) (ex Willard Wulff Collection)

Item Description

These specimens have been referred to as "Uralite" for many years, but this is not a valid species. It is defined as being a variety of the amphibole group. Calumet "Uralites" are most often pseudomorphs of an amphibole (most likely Actinolite) after a pyroxene (Diopside / Augite). The crystals are typically not visible as they are found coated by Calcite, which is etched away with hydrochloric acid to expose the underlying "Uralite" crystals. They are true classics from this famous mine which is most well known for it's impressive Epidote and Quartz association specimens. This specimen hosts some good quality and larger sized crystals of silvery-green "Uralite" measuring up to 1.5 cm, with smaller "Uralite" crystals plus minor Calcite on matrix. Good quality, and a worthwhile small cabinet display specimen. This piece comes from the collection of Willard W. Wulff (1904-1998) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a prominent figure and collector of Colorado minerals. Wulff was one of the founding members of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society in 1936. You can read Willard's bio on the Mineralogical Record website here ( http://www.minrec.org/labels.asp?colid=1528 ).