Osarizawaite crystals from the Grandview Mine, Grand Canyon, AZ, USA – micromount
This micromount shows Osarizawaite crystals from the Grandview Mine, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. The crystals cover the surface in dense, fine crystalline aggregates displaying an intense yellow green to vivid green coloration. The texture appears granular to crust like, with closely intergrown crystal areas forming a lively, relief like surface. Subtle variations between rich yellow and strong green tones create a differentiated and contrasting overall appearance within the compact matrix.
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.