Phenakite

Unknown Owner

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Phenacite from this old locality, producing in the 1940s-1950s, is still regarded as the highlight of the species. Large crystals of this magnitude are hard to find, and generally only seen in museums today. This specimen was featured in the exhibition "MINERAL DREAMS: Brazilian Gem treasures" at the Munich show of 2010. It is a highly lustrous, flying-saucer-like crystal that is absolutely transparent in most portions, and is very bright overall both on the surface and internally. The crystal broke from matrix at the bottom, so there is a contact there, and also a small damage spot of about 6 mm atop and on the left edge (this could be filled with restorative epoxy if desired, easily enough; but I thought it relatively trivial in context and prefer to have the natural piece without restoration). Otherwise, it is complete all around and even on the backside. Small crystals of muscovite mica are included in the bottom of the crystal. A MAJOR crystal of this rare gem species! Joe Budd Photos