Cordierite, variety "cerasite" :: Locality: Sakuratenjin, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, Kinki Region, Honshu Island, Japan :: Size: 0.6 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.4 cm :: These beautiful and interestingly shaped thumbnail pseudomorph specimens are called cherry blossom ("ceras") stones for their obvious resemblance to cherry blossom petals. The pretty pink "petals" are in fact, trapiche cordierite crystals that have been pseudomorphed by muscovite/sercite. This piece is from temple grounds, where collecting is currently prohibited. Rarely available from this locale. It is accompanied by the former collection label.