Ludlamite with Vivianite

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Discoveries at Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province, Oruro Department, Bolivia in 2019, set a new best of species level for Ludlamite. The mine was already known to have produced worldclass Ludlamite specimens, but only sporadically for twenty-or-so years. This flower-like divergent spray of large, bladed, monoclinic Ludlamite crystals shows how the level of quality has reached a new level. The colour is quite distinctive, a much more intense, almost organic green, like crystallized angelica. The intensity of colour is probably a reflection (no pun intended) of how the crystals are aggregated as a large rosette, or star-burst, as individual Ludlamite crystals from elsewhere tend to be much paler in colour. This type of dense cluster of crystals is unique to Huanuni mine. The crystal spray on this small cabinet specimen is over 5 cm across and sits on a well balanced piece of beige coloured Siderite matrix with associated dark blue, bladed Vivianite. The crystals are translucent and the way that light reflects internally makes the crystals dappled, or colour-zoned, with a fine, almost 'wet' lustre. A worldclass small cabinet display Ludlamite specimen that exudes quality. Henry Ludlam, for which Ludlamite is named, was a famous Victorian-era British mineral collector who was renowned for the quality of his specimens. He would be proud of this one, apart from the fact that he collected British specimens!