Armenite

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Based on chemistry, one might assume that Armenite is a common mineral species but far from it. In fact, this barium calcium aluminosilicate hydrate is only recorded from around two dozen localities worldwide, and in well-defined crystals at less than a handful of those. The very best crystals are those found at Isenwegg in the Ganter Valley, Valais, Switzerland where they form colourless-white, well-defined pseudohexagonal prisms exceptionally to 3 cm in length. Discovered by chance during the early 1990s in the high alpine mountains in Switzerland, the Armenite crystals set an entirely new benchmark in standard. This superb thumbnail specimen features an excellent prismatic crystal reaching an impressive 1.5 cm in length with a smaller (8 mm) second crystal alongside. Off matrix, as most Armenite crystals are, this specimen is mounted on a black cuboid base for display and handling but can easily be removed if required. The two crystals have been reattached together (repaired) after a slight knock, but it remains a world-class crystallized specimen of this extremely rare species.