perlite - display specimen of gray perlite ore - an amorphous hydrated glass

Description

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Display specimen of gray perlite ore - an amorphous hydrated glass
Big Pine volcanic field, Inyo County, California
Perlite is a hydrated form of obsidian. When a mass of obsidian picks up water, it devitrifies and becomes amorphous perlite. The unhydrated core of the obsidian mass may weather out as an obsidian spherule called an Apache Tear. Perlite is mined, partly dried in a rotary kiln and screened to various sizes depending on its final application. To make the white perlite "rice krispies" found in garden supplies and nurseries, the partly dried perlite is heated to 1,600˚F. The internal water flashes to steam and the perlite pops, just like popcorn, and changes from gray to white.
Perlite ore ranges from gray to black, with the black looking just like weathered obsidian, which it is. We stock the partly dried and screened perlite in the "before popping" stage as well as the final product. Inquire, as we have not listed these in the eBay store, though we plan to do so this month (February 2018). The series, from ore partly dried to final product makes a useful teaching set. These forms are available in a set of two 2-ounce jars.
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