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Pargasite and Diopside, Franklin Quarry, Franklin, New Jersey

Chris Clemens

This rock contains large grains of green pargasite and grey-white diopside, and is quite attractive under both UV and visible light. It was collected from the Franklin marble of the Franklin Quarry, Franklin, New Jersey (not to be confused with the famous Franklin Mine). The size of this specimen is 79 x 64 x 25 mm and it weighs 219 grams.

In the image above, the specimen shows fluorescence under short wave UV (254 nm). The pargasite shows a green response and the diopside fluoresces blue.

Same specimen shown under visible light. The grains of pargasite are green and the diopside is grey-white. Note also the minor brassy grains of pyrite.

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