Annite Crystals from the Saga II Quarry, Tvedalen, Norway

This interesting miniature specimen shows deep-black, platy annite crystals from the Saga II Quarry in the Tvedalen area of Norway. The crystals are distinctly stacked and display the characteristic luster of mica minerals on their basal faces.

Annite belongs to the mica group and represents the iron-rich end member of the annite-phlogopite solid-solution series. The pronounced layered structure and stacked crystal aggregates make the specimen an illustrative reference piece for systematic mineral collections.

Characteristic Mica Crystals from the Tvedalen Area

The front shows larger mica plates, while the crystals on the reverse are more finely developed. As a result, the specimen displays a different structure from different viewing angles.

The quarries in the Tvedalen area and along the Langesundsfjord are known for mineral-rich nepheline syenite and larvikite pegmatites. Numerous rare and unusual mineral species have been documented from the region.

With dimensions of 4.5 × 4.0 × 3.0 cm and a weight of 88 g, this is a compact miniature specimen. Its particular appeal lies in the deep-black, stacked mica crystals and their distinctly developed layered structure.