Name: Scheelite on Dolomite with Pyrrhotite & Cubanite
Brand: The Arkenstone
Price: 3500 USD
Availability: InStock

Scheelite on Dolomite with Pyrrhotite & Cubanite

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Morro Velho, a gold mine in the famous state of Minas Gerais, produced some very interesting and attractive combination pieces featuring Scheelite, Dolomite, and Pyrrhotite back in the 1960s. Before China, when Korea was the producer of other orange Scheelite, these gemmy bright Scheelite crystals were considered by most collectors to be, gram for gram, best of species. Some of the "Pyrrhotite" later turned out to be Cubanite, as well - although the two are similar in such small size, we are not advertising extra value here if some of the metallics are Cubanite vs. Pyrrhotite. This small-cabinet cluster is composed of lustrous and gemmy Dolomite rhombs up to 9 mm, and they cover the matrix edge to edge. Standing as if presented on a pedestal by the Dolomite is a standout cluster of GEMMY orange Scheelites, with the largest of these lustrous crystals being 1.5 cm and elongated. Naturally, the Scheelite has its classic whitish fluorescence. Adding even more pop to the piece are the numerous mm-size crystals of brassy metallic Pyrrhotite/Cubanite that are scattered across the Dolomites. This is a very fine example of this particular and uncommon association, and the contrasts in colors, forms and lusters create quite a good aesthetic. we seldom see ANY specimens of this scheelite on the market, and they only come out of old collections of very smart, very careful collectors from back in the day. I had a similar piece from John Barlow back in 1999, one from Pete Bancroft at some point; and another from Dr. Mark Feinglos perhaps around 2010. They are RARE! As a young collector in the 1980s, I treasured seeing one of these for the first time; and have seen only a handful since. This is from a similarly notable friend and author of mineralogical articles, a rare deaccession/exchange.