Lepidolite

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This is a large cluster of curving, gorgeous lavender "ball Lepidolite" crystals from a pegmatite near the town of Aracuai in Brazil. Lepidolite is usually an accent mineral on specimens of Tourmaline and other gem crystal specimens, but here, it is so big and beautiful that it makes an impressive small cabinet specimen all by itself! This is an intergrown aggregate of several large Lepidolite crystals that display a slightly convex, rounded top surface with angular sides suggesting it was part of a much larger mass of crystals. The bottom of the piece also shows a mosaic of polyhedral crystal that show concave rounding. Both the bottom and top of the piece have a silvery lavender color with great luster, and the sides, in contrast, are a gorgeous translucent lander-purple color enabling you to see part way into the Lepidolite crystals! This is a fascinating and lovely piece of Lepidolite that surely originates from the same famous old pocket as the famous Bill Pinch piece that is on the cover of his book! Chet Lemanski collection.