Dec 15, 2023
Epididymite, celadonite, Vezna I Pegmatite, Czech Republic, photo by Martin Slama
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Epididymite, celadonite, Vezna I Pegmatite, Czech Republic, photo by Martin Slama
Epididymite
Na2Be2Si6O15·H2O
Locality:
Água de Pau Volcano (Fogo Volcano), Água de Pau Massif, São Miguel Island, Azores District, Portugal
Field of View: 1.4 mm
Group of colorless to white epididymite crystals.
Pedro Alves’ Photo
Epididymite is yet another classic mineral from agpaites. A late-stage mineral in nepheline syenite pegmatites. The beryllium is one of those exotic elements that are in unusual concentrations in agpaites and thus allow minerals like epididymite to form. It is the collector that is rewarded by these unusual rare mineral producing rocks and agpaite deposits are always on the “locality radar” of mineral collectors. Epididymite forms a wide range of habits and this can lead to confusion in identification. Its most popular habit, which makes for easy identification, is its twin. It forms six-sided tabular trillings similar to the classic aragonite twins. The twins are usually cloudy but they are generally well formed. Also, fishtail twins are quite interesting as well.