Specimen Notes
Compare Haynesite to Larisaite, which has sodium (Na) in its formula. The crystals appear to be very similar in size, structure and color. The habits of the two minerals differ in that the Haynesite forms a more ordered cluster of crystals, while Larisaite's crystals are more disordered.
Images -001a and -001b are of the Haynesite sunburst layer. These sunbursts occur in a series along this layer. The freshly broken host rock on the left side of the image shows the unweathered dark layer that is selenium rich, with the very dark mineralization within it likely Ferroselate. The darkly stained weathered selenium layer is likely stained with iron oxide from weathered Ferroselate.
The light colored layers appear to be silica rich volcanic ash, and the darker, courser, layers layed down during a more active period. The dark spots I suspect are selenium rich iron oxide from weathered Ferroselenate. There is Aragonite (and possibly Calcite) on the courser grained 'upper' light colored layer Another indication of the specimen's in-ground orientation is that the yellow stains 'below' the dark central layer, and tappering off as they get further from it, as if deposited by leaching. There is no such similar staining above this layer.
Image -001c shows the Haynesite occuring on the boundry between two layers of the host rock. The darker layer is selenium rich and has the Haynesite crystals growing down over it. This is one indication that the upper, lighter, course grained layer is the upper layer in the ground. The crystals are larger than the ones in the sunbursts, and have a more bladed shape. There is a little Boltwoodite deposited in/on the upper light colored layer. This is another indication that this is the upper layer - less selenium. The -001g and -001h images are similar, but have the upper layer missing.
Images -001d, -001e and -001f show close-ups of two sunbursts of Haynesite. These sunbursts occur in a series along the dark selenium rich layer. The discolored host at the bottom is suspected of being stained by Haynesite and other selenium compounds. In the lower right of -001e, the host rock has less staining, and becomes more of a cream color. This is another indication that it is the in-ground lower layer.
Images -001k, -001l and -001m are looking down on the plane of the host rock's grain. Their appearance is like that of crusts, but they are close packed crystal clusters trunkated by the host rock (now missing) that formed the top of the crack they formed in. Notice the microcrystals around the edges.
Many of these circular clusters of Haynesite have a dark spot at or near their center. This is believed to be Ferroselate, which is providing the selenium for the formation of the Haynesite.
Additionally, the sunbursts only occur orthogonally to the grain of the host. Parallel to it, the Haynesite forms these roughly circular clusters. It is suspected that gravity caused the mother liqure to pool here, and to drain on the vertical sunbursts after depositing its haynesite.
Specimen Physical Properties
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| g-Radiation Level: |
cmp |
msieverts |
background: 20 cpm |
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