Elpidite

$500.00

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It is said looks can be deceptive and I confess at first glance I presumed this was a fine jackstraw cerussite. But no, think again! It’s the rare sodium zirconium silicate Elpidite, a specimen from the Umbozero mine on Alluaiv Mountain in the Lovozersky District of Murmansk Oblast, Russia. Many collectors will be familiar with this species from other alkaline-rich pegmatites such as Poudrette quarry at Mont St Hilaire. Although this wonderful specimen appears somewhat fragile and delicate, it is remarkably solid, although I don’t recommend throwing it around! Long acicular, opaque cream to creamy tan Elpidite crystals measure to between 3 and 4 cm long and cover a 1 cm thick, light grey, fine-grained matrix.