NC Sillimanite?

[thehunter123]

Hey y'all! Got a chance to hunt a new spot in the NC Foothills this evening. Came across a TON of Almandine garnets (just a few are pictured below) along with another interesting mineral I've never come across before. I'm guessing Sillimanite but I honestly have no clue as to what it is. The stones appear as "nodules", are quite fibrous, appear to have a bladed cleavage similar to Kyanite and are VERY hard and durable. The colors range from a dark amber color to a pale green while others are colorless. I have included several pics below--some are magnified to show better detail. If you have any idea as to what these stones are I would greatly appreciate your input! Thanks.

 

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[Eu_citzen]

Can't tell, really. Try checking the specific gravity of those!

 

[DDancer]

Looks like you had a great outing Sillamanite I've never seen so I second EU's suggestion. Handsome material though.

 

[Buckshotnc]

Not sure you've got silliminate there especially the clear pieces, and the other doesn't look fibrous enough compared to what I find at my place.

 

[thehunter123]

I believe I've just about confirmed that it is indeed Sillimanite. Everything I've researched online seems to match right up with it. Here's one with a crystal on matrix. I've yet to see anything else with this color and crystal structure. Does this look like the stuff you're finding buckshot?

 

[thehunter123]

Here's another piece in better lighting that highlights the fibrous look. The piece is predominately black but is a light greenish color at the tips. It has that kyanite-like perfect cleavage so I'm really not sure what else it could possibly be other than sillimanite...

 

[Buckshotnc]

Here's another piece in better lighting that highlights the fibrous look. The piece is predominately black but is a light greenish color at the tips. It has that kyanite-like perfect cleavage so I'm really not sure what else it could possibly be other than sillimanite...

View attachment 1566608

This picture looks more like what I find without the green on the tips.