Location: Pestsovye Keivy, Keivy Mountains, Lovozersky Dist., Murmansk Oblast, Russia

Size: 3.07 x 2.78 x 0.9 inches

Nice example of the 60 degree twin in matrix from this famous location.

Staurolite is a reddish brown to black, mostly opaque mineral found in metamorphic rocks. It has a white streak and has a hardness of 7 to 7.5. Staurolite is best known for cross-shaped twins. But the most common twinning habit is a 60 degree angle that can appear like an "X". You can also find single crystals but the twinned habit is much more prevalent. The best Staurolite specimens are those from huge deposits on the Kola Peninsula, where single crystals, twins and trillings can be found. I bought several hundred (mostly small pieces around an inch but as big as a 5 inches) so let me know if you need additional pieces.