phyllite - silvery dark gray Paleozoic phyllite -Unit of 5 student specimens

Description

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Dark gray phyllite from the Paleozoic Shoo Fly Complex - Unit of 5 student specimens
Phyllite is just beyond slate in the metamorphic sequence from slate to gneiss. Further metamorphism would convert clays to mica and result in a schist. Phyllites have a definite sheen because tiny grains of mica and other minerals not visible in a slate have been aligned by increased heating and pressure and have grown larger.
This phyllite is from a broad band of metamorphic rocks on the west side of the Sierra Nevada in California, which originated as sediments deposited in a series of subduction zones that existed during  the Paleozoic along the western edge of North America. During the Late Jurassic Nevadan orogeny, they were subjected to a period of intense metamorphism and were added to the continent.
The Shoo Fly Complex rocks are the oldest of the metamorphic belt. The original sediments were derived from the continent, deposited on the ocean floor to the west, and in the mid-Devonian, were subducted. Subsequent subduction shoved slabs of younger sediments under the Shoo Fly, like a stack of pancakes, though with the oldest on top, a reversal of the normal sedimentary sequence of older at the bottom, youngest on top.
Phyllite is from the Latin for leaf. The sheen is from tiny grains of mica, chlorite or graphite. While slate has a flat cleavage, phyllite tends break in wavy sheets. Some of these specimens contain pyrite cubes, or square holes where pyrite crystals have dissolved.
We really don't like the tiny finger nail-sized specimens offered to students, as we feel these are too small to see rock textures and too small for examining the identifying characteristics of a mineral. We want the "Oh, Wow!" effect when students see the set of specimens they are going to work with. We collect these specimens so that five specimens, or possibly six, will fit in a small flat rate box, and we keep the price low, as we know these will be used in a classroom. For teachers we count like a baker and a dozen is more than 12, since you will always need a few spares.  If you are a teacher, let us know.
You are buying a unit of five student specimens. The photo is representative of what we ship.
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Ships in a small Priority Mail flat rate box unless combined with other purchases. We always combine shipping to get your purchase to you at the lowest cost. We do not charge for handling. We refund any overpayments on shipping beyond our actual cost. A second unit moves the shipment into a larger box. We can generally ship 4 to 5 student units or a number of hand specimens in that box with no further increase in postage.
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