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An Olivine "Bomb" Containing Gemmy Peridot Fragments Collected at Kilbourne Hole

bomb1

At the time this nodule was spotted, it was partially burried in loose volcanic ash. I dug it out with the tip of my rock pick and noticed that it had been naturally cleaved by weathering. About one third of the nodule was missing. Inspection of the cleaved surface immediately revealed that this xenolith contained very large fragments of peridot. Many of the peridot fragments in the foreground are gemmy and 3-10 carats in size. Unfortunately, this peridot is the less desirable olive-green color. Another smaller olivine nodule that was collected on this trip, had a similar color, but the peridot fragments were larger.