San Carlos peridotite with chrome diopside and spinel in volcanic basalt Fossil The broken ends of stalactites

The broken ends of stalactites reveal a curiosity: some are hollow

and imprints of crystals that have dissolved

shedding pieces when handled

with swirling inclusions making the chlorite appear like rocks under churning waves

San Carlos peridotite with chrome diopside and spinel in volcanic basalt Fossil The broken ends of stalactitesLocale: San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona Approx dimensions: 3 x 2. 5 x 2" Approx weight: 260g While this material is commonly called peridot in (or on) basalt, it is actually more complex. It would be more accurately called a peridotite xenolith in basalt. Peridot is the gem quality version of the mineral olivine, which is common in our Earths upper mantleand even in space. In comparison, peridotite is a combination of several types of minerals