6
CC11627•listed on 10/24/2024
Despite superficially looking like Wulfenite, the tungstate equivalent Stolzite is much, much rarer. Consequently, while there are hundreds of famous Wulfenite-bearing sites, there are just a handful of well-known Stolzite localities worldwide. Remarkably, the locality that has produced the world's largest Stolzite crystals is a relatively recent find. The Sainte-Lucie mine at St Léger-de-Peyre in Occitanie, France, is a small silver-lead mine which closed in 1936. The adits were revisited in the 1990s in the search for specimens, and what was found was remarkable - the best of species, wonderful large tabular Stolzite crystals. This superb miniature specimen dates to these discoveries. It consists of several intergrown tabular, creamy, to pale butterscotch, translucent to opaque Stolzite crystals measuring to approximately 3 cm on edge. Two main crystals, of roughly similar proportions dominate, and interlock, with a few small crystals in association. The platy crystals display somewhat ragged edges, but this is the typical natural form for Stolzite, with no damage. Stolzite simply does not crystallize as perfectly as Wulfenite does, with none of the fine bevelled edges! For the species these are remarkably large crystals. The specimen is mounted on an acrylic stand for display.
This amazing single crystal is free from matrix and measures an astounding 4.8 x 3.0 x 1.1 cm, as measured along each axis. Opposite prism faces are coated with a thin layer of gritty opaque pinkish tan Stolzite, sandwiching between them a glassy translucent crystal of pale butterscotch-yellow. There are a few imperfections around the edges, a result of either contact damage while in-situ or unavoidable during the extraction process. An amazing miniature yet giant crystal of Stolzite from the fascinating Sainte-Lucie mine. It comes with a previous French collector's label.
View more Origin: Sainte-Lucie Mine, St Léger-de-Peyre, Marvejols, Lozère, Occitanie, France
Known provenance
Date
Owner
Price
Note
Scheelite from France Sales Data
Total Items Sold0
Total Value$0
Loading sales data...
All Sales
Loading specimens...