Samarskite-(Y), Albite, Quartz: McKinney Mine, Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina, USA

Description

Species: Samarskite-(Y), Albite, Quartz
Locality: McKinney Mine, Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina, USA
Dimensions: 7.5 cm x 6.5 cm x 2 cm

Superb, well-crystallized specimen of black samarskite-(y) crystals in white albite and gray quartz matrix. While at first this specimen appears jumbled or even uncrystallized, closer examination reveals the crystals are all very well-formed, sharp, simple orth0rhombic prisms of samarskite in minor pegmatite matrix. Impressive specimen for this classic North Carolina locality in my opinion. Eric Quinter specimen U/Th 0611, pictured on Mindat.org.