Valentinite - Cerro de Potosí, Potosí, Bolivia

Valentinite

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The secondary antimony oxide species Valentinite is usually thought of as forming thin, almost feathery bladed crystals, but these crystals from Cerro de Potosí, Potosí City, Potosí, Bolivia really redefine what is possible. Sharp, pointed, but blocky 3-dimensional crystals to 6 mm in length, richly cover this large miniature to small cabinet specimen. Beneath the crystals is a heavily oxidized sulphide, or sulphantimonide matrix, but the specimen is so richly encrusted in Valentinite that it is difficult to see the matrix. The Valentinite crystals are beautifully formed - more so than even the Type Locality material - colourless and glassy and a joy to study. This was a remarkable find, but from everything I have seen it was incredibly limited in its extent. This particular specimen is a real treasure.