GLENDONITE SPECIMENS

Glendonite is not a mineral, but rather a calcite pseudomorph after ikaite. These mineral formations start out as crystalline masses of ikaite (calcium carbonate hexahydrate) that form in near-freezing water of high alkalinity. At warmer temperatures, ikanite becomes unstable, resulting in the loss of its water content. It converts to calcite that retains the crystal structure of the ikanite.