Polarised light micrograph of a thin section of Luxulyanite, a very rare form of Tourmaline Granite. This sample is from Luxulyan in Cornwall where th

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Polarised light micrograph of a thin section of Luxulyanite, a very rare form of Tourmaline Granite. This sample is from Luxulyan in Cornwall where the name originates. Visible is quartz filled with tourmaline needles in a spherulitic arrangement, stars of thin needles radiating from a central point. A sample of its use a a ornamental stone is the Duke of Wellington's monument at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Actual size 3mm across.

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Size: 4781px × 3655px
Photo credit: © ALFRED PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: cornwall, granite, light, luxulyan, luxulyanite, micrograph, needles, polarised, polarized, quartz, radiating, rock, section, spherulitic, thin, tourmaline