Staurolite from Nesodden near Oslo, Norway – Large Dark Brown Crystal on Matrix

This Staurolite specimen from Nesodden near Oslo, Norway shows a prominent dark brown Staurolite crystal on a pale metamorphic matrix. The dominant main crystal reaches approximately 4 cm in length and occupies a large part of the specimen. A second, smaller Staurolite crystal is partly embedded in the matrix.

Measuring 4.8 × 2.5 × 2.0 cm and weighing 30.8 g, this is a miniature specimen. The robust main crystal forms a strong contrast with the pale, quartz-rich matrix.

Robust prismatic Staurolite crystal

The Staurolite shows a dark brown to reddish-brown coloration and is opaque. The main crystal is distinctly prismatic to stout columnar in habit and has a broad, compact cross-section.

The crystal surface is predominantly dull to weakly lustrous and shows a natural, slightly irregular texture. The smaller Staurolite crystal is obliquely embedded in the matrix and complements the clearly dominant main crystal.

Staurolite from Nesodden near Oslo

The Nesodden area south of Oslo is known for Staurolite occurring in metamorphic rocks. Staurolite crystals from the area can reach several centimeters in size and occur within metamorphosed rock units.

On this specimen, the matrix contains clearly visible Quartz and dark mica. However, the exact rock type cannot be determined reliably from this small hand specimen and is therefore deliberately left unspecified.

A handwritten collection number is present on the reverse. The specimen comes from a collection; the exact provenance is still being clarified.