2.1" Natural Gabbro Polished Palm Stone Mineral Calcium Plagioclase Madagascar
Location: Madagascar
Weight: 2.3 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.1 Inches Long, 1.4 Inches Wide, 0.7 Inches Thick
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Gabbro is a coarse-grained, dark-colored intrusive igneous rock, primarily composed of plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene. It forms from the slow cooling of magnesium- and iron-rich magma deep beneath the Earth’s surface. While its mineral composition is similar to basalt, gabbro differs in texture: basalt cools quickly and is fine-grained, whereas gabbro cools slowly, resulting in a much coarser, visibly crystalline structure.
Mineral Composition
The primary minerals found in gabbro include:
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Plagioclase Feldspar: This is typically calcium-rich plagioclase, often in the form of labradorite or bytownite. Plagioclase makes up a significant portion of gabbro’s mineral content.
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Pyroxene: The most common type is clinopyroxene, usually augite. Pyroxenes can also include orthopyroxene, particularly in specific varieties of gabbro.
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Olivine: While not always present, olivine can be found in some types of gabbro, particularly those classified as olivine gabbros.
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Accessory Minerals: Gabbro may also contain minor amounts of other minerals such as hornblende (in hornblende gabbros), biotite, magnetite, ilmenite, and apatite.
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Quartz and Feldspathoids: In certain subtypes like quartz gabbros or foid-bearing gabbros, small amounts of quartz or feldspathoids may be present.