Vivianite, Siderite

Unknown Owner

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The mine at Huanuni has produced some of the finest Vivianite specimens in the world, but fine quality specimens have all but disappeared from the market since the mine was taken over by the Bolivian government several years ago. Due to the vast tin deposits in this mine, removing colorful phosphates is strictly forbidden, and the levels upon which these beautiful specimens are found have been intentionally flooded to keep the miners out. This specimen features a few sharp, lustrous, gemmy, rich blue-green color prismatic crystals measuring up to 2.5 cm long on sparkling brown Siderite matrix. This is from a find from about the mid 1990s, when there was a relative bonanza at Huanuni for Vivianites. About ten years later, there were no more specimens, and there truly hasn't been since. Ex. Brian Kosnar Collection.