Elbaite

specimen number:
2062202

location:
Pine River pegmatite, Florence Co., Wisconsin, USA

description:
Neat locality example for the species, dark radiating crystals of elbaite frozen throughout matrix. Collected in September, 1994.

The Pine River Pegmatite, located in Florence County, Wisconsin, is a notable mineral occurrence within the northern part of the state, particularly distinguished by its reddish-purple elbaite crystals embedded in a solid matrix of quartz and feldspar. Geologically, it is a granitic pegmatite associated with the Penokean Orogeny, which took place approximately 1.8 to 1.9 billion years ago. The body is hosted within the Michigamme Formation, and unlike many gem-bearing pegmatites, it is characterized by a massive structure without the presence of open pockets or lepidolite. Historically, the site was explored in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1950s, as part of a broader effort to identify domestic sources of lithium and other strategic minerals. While it never reached the level of a large-scale commercial mine, it remains a site of interest for geological study and mineral collecting. The property is situated near the Pine River, and over the years, various groups have conducted sampling and mapping to better understand the extent of its mineralization. Today, the area is largely forested and serves as a significant example of the complex igneous history that shaped the Precambrian basement of the Great Lakes region.

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