Hedenbergite

Hedenbergite is one of those species rarely encountered in collections from the Broken Hill Mining District in New South Wales but is a well-known and greatly desired mineral forming part of this classic suite.  Hedenbergite is the iron rich end member of the pyroxene group, and in this specimen forms oily-leaf-green blocky crystals when transparent to translucent, which grade to light peppermint-green when opaque and more granular.  This extremely rich miniature has a wonderful coverage of well crystallised Hedenbergite, the largest and showiest crystal measuring 1.7 x 1.5 x 1.0 cm.  The crystals are monoclinic yet appear rhombic.  Colourless acicular crystals occur amongst the Hedenbergite, possibly Bustamite when occurring in this more unconventional habit, or Cerussite.