Pargasite: The hornblende amphibole mineral pargasite information and

About

Pargasite is a member of the extended Hornblende group. Most Hornblendes, including Pargasite, are dark and opaque, however Pargasite can also be lightly colored and transparent. Some forms of Pargasite are especially known for their electric green color and gemmy appearance. There are several variations of this mineral with different elemental substitutions. Some of these are recognized as individual minerals, thereby making Pargasite a mineral group, with Pargasite as the dominating member. Pargasite is named after the locality of Pargas, Finland, where this mineral was first described.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

As prismatic or tabular crystals with a diamond-shaped cross-section. Also in dense groups of platy or grainy crystals, columnar, and massive.

Striking Features

Cleavage angles, environment, and crystal habit

Environment

Most often in metamorphosed limestone altered to marble. Also in hornfels of contact metamorphic rock.

Varieties

✓ common · ✗ uncommon

Chromio-pargasite— Chromium-rich variety of Pargasite found only at the Akaishi Mine, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Originally named Ehimeite, it has been renamed Chromio-pargasite in the 2012 by the IMA to create consistency in the naming of the Pargasite minerals. This mineral was approved by the IMA as a distinct mineral species with the following chemical formula: NaCa₂(Mg,Cr)₄Al(Si,Al)₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Ferro-pargasite— Variety of Pargasite where iron replaces the magnesium content. Ferro-pargasite is recognized by the IMA as a distinct mineral species with the following chemical formula: NaCa₂Fe₄Al₂Si₆O₂₂(OH)₂
Fluoro-pargasite— Variety of Pargasite where some of the hydroxyl is replaced by fluorine. Fluoro-pargasite is recognized by the IMA as a distinct mineral species with the following chemical formula: NaCa₂Mg₄Al₂Si₆O₂₂(OH,F)₂
Potassic-pargasite— Variety of Pargasite where potassium replaces the sodium content. Potassic-pargasite has several rare variants that are each individually recognized by the IMA as distinct mineral species. The chemical formula of Potassic-pargasite is KCa₂Mg₄Al₂Si₆O₂₂(OH)₂

Uses

When in bright green forms, Pargasite is a highly collectible and valuable mineral, especially when contrasted on a white marble matrix.

Noteworthy Localities

Dark green to black crystals of Pargasite came from the type locality of Pargasite is Pargas, Finland, where this mineral was first found and named after. Apple-green Pargasite, almost always associated with Spinel, has recently been coming from Luc Yen, Yenbai Province, Vietnam. Bright green, gemmy crystals of the highest quality, are found in Mogok, Burma; and in the Hunza Valley, Gilgit, Pakistan. These crystals are often beautifully situated on a white contrasting marble matrix. Small black Pargasite crystals associated with green Zoisite and Ruby come from the Mundarara Mine, Arusha Region, Tanzania.

In the U.S., dark green and black crystals Pargasite, often well-formed, come from the Franklin Marble at Amity and Edenville, Orange Co., New York; and at the Franklin and Sterling Hill Mines, Sussex Co., New Jersey.