SAMUELSONITE Gallery Return to Samuelsonite page. Click on image for larger view | |
The Palermo Mine is the type locality for Samuelsonite. The species is named for Peter Samuelson, who worked the pegmatite for specimens between 1968 and 1974.
Samuelsonite is a very rare phosphate at the Palermo Mine. EDS analysis efforts of several years to clearly identify a samulesonsite specimen have turned up only one strong samuelsonite candidate, the samuelsonite - type 2, below. All other suspect samuelsonite specimens have analyzed to be palermoite. In my [tm] opinion, any specimen labeled as samuelsonite without a supporting analysis is suspect, including most shown below. |
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Species: SAMUELSONITE - Type 2 Locality: Palermo #1 Mine, Pod 11, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: 2.2 cm specimen, (zoom view, 1 cm). Embedded blades of oxide stained type 2 samuelsonite Field Collected: Bob Whitmore - 1972 Catalog No.: A Bob Whitmore specimen Notes: A qualitative EDS analysis on an unpolished grain showed the Mn and Fe content lower than expected for samuelsonite: (Ca,Ba)Ca8Fe2+2Mn2+2Al2[(OH)2|(PO4)10] The silicon peak may be due to surface contamination. Black mineral on right side appears to be mostly manganese oxides. A second EDS analysis #2 in Nov. 2014 on a polished grain from this specimen showed a very convincing match for samuelsonite. The formula for samuelsonite indicates the ratio for Ca:P:Al:Fe:Mn should be 9:10:2:2:2 . These ratios are consistent with this plot. The Si peak seen on the earlier plot is absent, indicating it was very likely due to surface contamination by silica. |
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Locality: Palermo #1 Mine, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: 2 mm prismatic samuelsonite crystal with smaller 0.5 mm samuelsonite crystal to right. Field Collected: Clayton Ford. A Gordon Jackson specimen. Catalog No.: Notes: This specimen contains several samuelsonite crystals. They are associated with platy habit goyazite. |
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Locality: Palermo #1 Mine, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: 2.5 mm field of view. Prismatic samuelsonite crystal with photo orientation to show termination in foreground. Field Collected: Clayton Ford. A Gordon Jackson specimen. Catalog No.: Notes: Another samuelsonite crystal on the specimen above. Platy habit goyazite in foreground. |
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Locality: Palermo #1 Mine, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: Group of prismatic samuelsonite crystals. Largest crystal in rear about 1.7 mm. Field Collected: Clayton Ford. A Gordon Jackson specimen. Catalog No.: Notes: Another samuelsonite crystal on the specimen above. This group is deep within a vug and difficult to illuminate |
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Locality: Palermo #1 Mine, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: 5 mm field of view. 1.5 mm prismatic samuelsonite crystals with chisel terminations. Field Collected: Forrest Fogg. Catalog No.: Notes: First of three photos of Bob Janules specimen. |
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Locality: Palermo #1 Mine, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: Group of 2 mm clear, parallel alligned, samuelsonite crystals. Field Collected: Forrest Fogg. Catalog No.: Notes: Second of three photos of Bob Janules specimen. |
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Locality: Palermo #1 Mine, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: Field of view 2 mm. Clear, parallel alligned, samuelsonite crystals. Field Collected: Forrest Fogg. Catalog No.: Notes: Third of three photos of Bob Janules specimen. |