You can search our catalog using different mineral attributes. For example, you can search by color such as green, yellow or purple, or by chemical elements such as uranium, calcium or iron, or by mineral groups such as phosphate, silicate or carbonate. You can also filter by crystal habit like crystal, geode or crystal on matrix, by specimen size such as thumbnail, small, medium or cabinet, and by features such as radioactive or fluorescent minerals.

Ankerite

Ankerite is an iron-rich carbonate of the dolomite group, forming a solid-solution series with dolomite and kutnohorite as iron substitutes for magnesium in the crystal structure. Its signature curved, saddle-shaped rhombohedra and warm rusty-brown to orange color, caused by surface oxidation of iron, make it instantly recognizable among carbonate specimens, distinguishing it from paler dolomite and calcite.

The species takes its name from Styria, Austria, home to the classic Erzberg deposit at Eisenerz, where sharp ankerite rhombs are found beautifully associated with clear quartz. Other important localities include the Homestake Mine in South Dakota, the Tui Mine in New Zealand, the Mesabi Range banded iron formations of Minnesota, and the Prego Mine at Kladno in the Czech Republic, where ankerite occurs with sphalerite and dickite. It is also a widespread gangue mineral in hydrothermal veins carrying galena, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite, and accumulates in low-grade metamorphosed ironstones and iron carbonatites.

Collectors seek ankerite for its well-formed rhombohedral habit, attractive iron-oxide coloring, and its role in illustrating the compositional bridge between calcite and dolomite. Fine matrix pieces with contrasting sulfide or quartz associations are especially prized, making authentic, well-labeled ankerite specimens a worthwhile addition for carbonate and systematic mineral collections.

Sorry, there are no products in this collection

Prodotti Visti di Recente