Osarizawaite crystals from the Grandview Mine, Grand Canyon, AZ, USA – miniature specimen
This miniature specimen shows Osarizawaite crystals from the Grandview Mine, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. The surface is densely covered with intensely yellow to yellow green crystal aggregates that rise irregularly from the matrix in a relief like manner. Strong green areas appear between the bright yellow zones, creating a vivid interplay of color. The crystals form fine grained, crust like structures with a rough texture and clearly pronounced surface relief. The compact development and strong color contrast give the specimen a striking visual presence.
Geology & Origin
The Grandview Mine at the Grand Canyon is known for a wide range of rare secondary uranium and vanadium minerals formed in the oxidation zone of sediment hosted copper deposits. Osarizawaite develops under oxidizing conditions as a secondary mineral through the interaction of vanadium and copper bearing solutions with the surrounding rock. The mineralogical diversity of this locality is linked to complex geochemical processes within the sandstone sequences of the Colorado Plateau.
Picture shows sample! Item may differ in size, shape and colour from the sample images.