Parisite-(Ce) on Calcite

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This is a beautiful, colorful (unusually so!) crystal measuring 1.4 cm, ensconced in a protected vug of crystallized calcite within massive calcite. One so rarely sees parisite on crystallized matrix from any locality, and the contrast to these calcites really addds a lot, visually, to the desirability of the piece. Parisite today comes from both France and Malawi, and especially Zagi Mountain in Pakistan, in excellent crystals. But, they are all of markedly different habit from these classic, and oldest good examples of the species from Muzo. Believe it or not, Muzo was actually the type locality back in the early 1900s, in fact! Other locales known today produce gemmier or bigger examples, but for the overall combination of qualities you would want most, and for good matrix, this locality is still the most desirable. I have handled several over the years of some stature form here, and among them I find this one ranks highly. Ironically, for your money, you get a better parisite than you would an emerald from the locality, for this price!