Axinite-(Fe) on Quartz with Chlorite

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Not only is Bourg d'Oisans in Isère, Rhône-Alpes, France the place where the former species (and now group name) Axinite was first discovered, way back in the late 18th century, but it is also where the gemmiest, glassiest crystals were found. In the intervening centuries the crystals from Bourg d'Oisans have been redefined as Axinite-(Fe), so iron-dominant Axinite, but remain probably the most collectible and sought-after of all Axinite Group minerals. High-class undamaged display specimens have always been a great rarity and a true European classic and although their crystals never compare with those from the Russian occurrences from the 1980s and 1990s in size, they more than compensate with their clarity of colour and brightness of lustre. This exceptional large display specimen features individual sharp, bladed Axinite-(Fe) crystals to 1.8 cm in length liberally covering the lower front face of a cluster of broad, large, glassy pale smoky Quartz crystals. Simply put, it is a magnificent Bourg d'Oisans Axinite, and to add to its charm a further cluster of Axinite-(Fe) crystals which extend across the upper edges of two the Quartz crystals are tinted green by inclusions of Chlorite. There is minor chipping to the termination of the central Quartz crystal, but for overall aesthetics this is a seriously superb classic Axinite-(Fe). This specimen comes with a custom-made Sunnywood acryllic display stand.