Bastnaesite-Ce on Calcite

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A large crystal for the locality, 2 cm across, sits on calcite matrix on this significant specimen from Trimouns. Two crystals in paralle growth reach almost 2 mm thickness each, and merge together to create one larger composite crystal that is very impressive. Shown here are both backlit and frontal lighting shots. A note about coloration: In fluorescent lights, these crystals look more amber-brown than in halogen lights, where they take on a more orange-red hue. When backlit moderately, as shown, they take on a nice red glowing color. All photos here are taken under sunlight balanced halogen, with moderate backlighting. Joe Budd photos.These were found at the classic old French locality for rare earth species, in the late 1970s, and have until now been hidden away by the collector. For sheer quality and beauty, many collectors have long considered the gemmy rare earth crystals from here to be among the best of their species. The productive specimen zone at the locality is, I am told reliably, simply mined out and gone now.