ANORTHOROSELITE - Agoudal Mines, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

ANORTHOROSELITE

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β-Roselite, or Anorthoroselite as it is now named, is the triclinic dimorph of Roselite. Agoudal quarry in Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco is one of the world's best sites for this unusual hydrated calcium cobalt arsenate species, with many of the other main sites being in the same small district in Morocco too. Mounted on an acryllic base for display, this extremely rich large miniature specimen of Anorthoroselite is dominated by a 5 x 3 cm cavity completely lined with deep cerise coloured Anorthoroselite crystals, forming a 7 mm wide layer within the cavity. In some parts of the cavity the layer of crystals has detached and recrystallized as an additional layer almost floating within the cavity giving an appearance somewhat like a fossil shell. The crystals are complex stepped groupings, with superb colour and a slightly resinous lustre. The rear of the specimen is a rusty, iron-rich gossanous matrix. This is an extremely richly crystallized and very pretty example of this rare secondary cobalt-bearing species. Ex Nick Hawes collection.