Cherry Blossom Stone

• Cherry Blossom Stone
  Okushino Sakura Tenmanguu, Kameoka-shi, Kyoto, Japan
  
  Mineral called cordierite turns into mica when hydrothermally altered. The altered mineral is called cerasite (cherry blossom stone).
  Normally cordierite has amethyst color, but cordierite from Sakura Tenmanguu has rose-pink color by the action of iron oxide, and it looks just like cherry blossom.
  Today ceriste from Sakura Tenmanguu is designated as natural monument.