Haapaluoma, Finland

DESCRIPTION

GEOLOGY

Haapaluoma is a lithium pegmatite

VISITS

1997-06-22
This was the first stop on the 1997 geology trip to Finland. After a good briefing of the geology of Haapaluoma by Markku, we were let loos on the dump piles for about 2-3 hours. Too bad that I used all the time on just one dump pile, I should have taken some more time to examine the surroundings, but I was too occupied with collecting minerals on one dump pile.

Mineral assemblage

Microcline, quartz, albite, biotite, muskovite, Lepidolite, cookeite, apatite, amblygonite, varulite, loellingite, kassiterite, columbite, microlite, schoerl, Elbaite (verdelite, rubellite), beryl, topaz, garnet ( almandine, spessartine ), zircon, spodumene ( variety kunzite ).

Microcline
This is a very pure type of microcline.
Collected 1997-06-22
(300 dpi, 800x600, k)

Microcline
A sample of microcline pertite.
Collected 1997-06-22
(300 dpi, 800x600, k)

Spodumene
Spodumene occured in three different forms, this first fresh form in easily cleavable masses, as more corroded crystals ( see next picture ) and in the form of kunzite.
This sample is grown around a rubellite. Collected 1997-06-22
(300 dpi, 800x600, k)

Spodumene
This is an example of the more corroded spodumene that could be found in Haapaluoma. It consists of a number of separate square crystals with rounded edges. The matrix consists of quartz and clevelandite.
Collected 1997-06-22
(300 dpi, 800x600, k)

Spodumene
The same sample as above, but with a better view of the square crystal of spodumene.
Collected 1997-06-22
(300 dpi, 800x600, k)

Elbaite (Rubellite)
Rubellite in quartz.
Collected 1997-06-22
(300 dpi, 800x600, k)

Muscovite (var: oncosine)
An oncosine vein through feldspar. A very nice specimen, showing a change in the mineral towards the central core. I don't know if it's caused by changes in the lithium concentration or other factors.
Collected 1997-06-22
(300 dpi, 800x600, k)

If you have some questions, suggestions or comments you are welcome to write me a line or two.

Locality index. Main index.

axelsson@acc.umu.se

	Microcline This is a very pure type of microcline. Collected 1997-06-22 (300 dpi, 800x600, k)
	Microcline A sample of microcline pertite. Collected 1997-06-22 (300 dpi, 800x600, k)
	Spodumene Spodumene occured in three different forms, this first fresh form in easily cleavable masses, as more corroded crystals ( see next picture ) and in the form of kunzite. This sample is grown around a rubellite. Collected 1997-06-22 (300 dpi, 800x600, k)
	Spodumene This is an example of the more corroded spodumene that could be found in Haapaluoma. It consists of a number of separate square crystals with rounded edges. The matrix consists of quartz and clevelandite. Collected 1997-06-22 (300 dpi, 800x600, k)
	Spodumene The same sample as above, but with a better view of the square crystal of spodumene. Collected 1997-06-22 (300 dpi, 800x600, k)
	Elbaite (Rubellite) Rubellite in quartz. Collected 1997-06-22 (300 dpi, 800x600, k)
	Muscovite (var: oncosine) An oncosine vein through feldspar. A very nice specimen, showing a change in the mineral towards the central core. I don't know if it's caused by changes in the lithium concentration or other factors. Collected 1997-06-22 (300 dpi, 800x600, k)