Pseudomorphs (Hussar version)

Pseudomorphs are minerals that have replaced another mineral while retaining the original's external shape. This occurs through processes like chemical replacement or thermal metamorphism. Imagine a mold of a specific shape that gets filled with a different substance; the new material maintains the original's form. An example is when the mineral calcite is replaced by quartz, keeping the overall structure intact. Pseudomorphs provide insights into geological processes and can help identify the conditions under which the minerals formed. They are important in both mineralogy and the study of Earth’s history.