Armalcolite xls; Aljorra quarries, La Aljorra, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain; MM
Armalcolite – pseudomorph from Aljorra, Spain – titanium-rich oxide from brookite-bearing paragenesis
This rare micromount specimen features armalcolite as a pseudomorph from the Aljorra quarries near Cartagena, Murcia region, Spain. Collected in 2019, it comes from a high-temperature, titanium-rich metamorphic rock complex that is well known for its brookite-bearing paragenesis. Armalcolite occurs here together with brookite, warwickite, and ilmenite. The specimen shows massive replacement zones with fine-grained textures and subtle color changes, but without distinct crystal forms.
Armalcolite ((Mg,Fe²⁺)Ti₂O₅) is a rare titanium oxide originally discovered in lunar rock, and only found at a few terrestrial localities. Pseudomorphs like this one are formed by complete replacement of a precursor mineral, while preserving the external shape – evidence of extreme geochemical conditions during transformation.
Geology & Origin
The Aljorra quarries belong to a contact-metamorphic complex in southeastern Spain. Under high-temperature conditions and with strong titanium mobility, unusual oxide phases like armalcolite can form. The locality is known among systematic micromount collectors for its titanium-rich mineral associations including brookite, warwickite, and related species.
This table is for general information and orientation, although the sizes of the stones may vary. In addition, this specification is handled differently from region to region.
| Sizes | Description | approx. Sizes in mm/cm | approx. Sizes in INCH | |
| Capsule | Capsule | 0.1–0.5 mm in a transparent hard capsule (approx. 1 cm) | capsule contents 0.1–0.5 mm | capsule contents 0.004–0.02 in |
| TN/mm | Micromount (TN = Thumbnail) | everything fitting in a TN Perky box or a MM box of approx. 1 in | approx. 0.5–2.5 cm | max. 1 in |
| Min | Miniature specimen | will not fit a TN or MM box anymore | approx. 2.5–5 cm | approx. 0.2–1.0 in |
| Scab | small cabinet specimen | approx. one-third to half a hand size | approx. 5–9 cm | approx. 1.0–2.0 in |
| Cab | cabinet specimen | full hand size | approx. 9–15 cm | approx. 2.0–3.5 in |
| large Cab | large cabinet specimen | approx. two hand sizes | approx. 15–30 cm | approx. 3.5–6.0 in |
| very large Cab | very large cabinet specimen | everything larger, no upper limit |
Abbreviations commonly used in mineralogy.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| xl | single crystal, possible with matrix |
| xls | noticeable crystals |
| (xl) | embedded or damaged |
| (xls) | embeddet or damaged |
| MASS | massive and/or amorphous pieces |
| TYP | type locality of the original description |
| SWUV | shortwave-UV-reaction |
| UV | ultraviolet reaction |
| SC | self-collected |
| U | unique (single unique piece) |
Usage Instructions
This product is ideal as a collector's item, decorative element, teaching material, or for scientific and exhibition purposes.
Legal Notices
Safety
We accept no liability for damages resulting from improper and/or non-recommended use. Please carefully assess the suitability of the product before any alternative use.
Responsible Provider
Mikon Mineralienkontor GmbH
Steinslieth 11
D-37130 Gleichen OT Klein Lengden
Email: info@mikon-online.com
| shipment-weight, NOT netto weight (kg) | 0.020000 |
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