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While there are
over a dozen published locations in which glendonites have formed,
there are likely to be many more, perhaps even hundreds or thousands more.
As indicated by the series of flags above, they can be found all over the
world. Ikaite, the precursor to the pseudomorphic glendonite, exhibits an
amazing array of variations of its base dipyramidal form.
A
collector in Oregon actually owns a piece of property that overlaps an extensive
deposit of glendonites - when he goes prospecting for crystals he doesn't
have to go far, and has to be careful to not slash his boots on the sharp
pseudos sticking out of the muddy surface. These specimens are almost all
the dipyramidal, singular blade-type, up to 6 inches in length. He has well
over a thousand glendonites, some eroded by the elements and some retaining
their virgin surfaces.
In
Japan an intrepid explorer finds heavily-weathered glendonites in a hidden
location -- large, sharp, stellate examples with real presence. Several
localities in Japan are known for their "ghost" genno-ishi --
hard limestone cobbles with square holes running through them. These were
once thought to be anchors crafted by native peoples, but in fact are the
void-bearing concretion left behind after the calcite pseudomorph within
has completely dissolved. This dissolving action of salwater damages the
majority of specimens found near the oceans, as can the silty matrix surrounding
the pseudos over time, destroy their fine surface features.
Oddly,
some of the most pristine specimens are found encased in the hardest concretions,
yet the pseudos did not interact with the formation of the concretion. Calcite
pseudomorphs after ikaite form in many shades of brown, from a light, vibrant
orange to a deep cocoa color, and are always opaque. Currently it is unknown
why they are restricted to this color range when calcite in other forms
or pseudos forms take on a wider range of color and transparency. Opal pseudomorphs
after ikaite ("pineapples") are extremely colorful and pleasant
to view; and are currently found in only one location -- Coober Pedy, Australia.