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Epidote with Actinolite var. Byssolite
Epidotes from the famous old locality of Knappenwand are renowned for their quality and their unique architecture, and have been for hundreds of years! This cluster of prismatic crystals has excellent glassy luster and are gemmy throughout. These epidotes have a rich green color and vary in length. They are architecturally arranged with linear groups of subparallel crystals growing from a thin "layer" of earlier formed epidote crystals only a couple of millimeters thick. The linear groups are just slightly staggered along in a series of glassy, prismatic, well-terminated crystals, mostly growing above the thin layer and several growing the same way below. This is the classic growth pattern for these crystals that makes them so aesthetic and desirable. There is also a small, elongate patch of actinolite var. byssolite as accent: hair-like crystals in one area at the intersection of a few epidotes for added interest and appeal. We know this is an old specimen because jack bought it before the 1970s, and so it dates to the 1800s-era finds. It surely came out of an old collection being sold by his friend and mentor, dealer Walt Lidstrom (who was famous for a generation of collection dispersals). Jack paid $1000 for it at the time...there were very few enough old classics that commanded such respect and value in the mineral collecting world of the 1960s-1970s, a time when the first bluecap San Diego tourmalines sold for low five figures and singles for hundreds. The fact that Lidstrom, known for his intelligence, quality, and fair pricing, valued this at $1000 says a lot about the specimen. Jack has owned it ever since, for 50 years or so. The condition of this elegant piece is excellent! A very fine small cabinet Knappenwand epidote cluster specimen. Illustrated in the book Minerals: Nature's Fabulous Jewels Hardcover – January 1, 1974. This was one of Jack's prized possessions and valued very highly among his top 100 specimens, in addition to being one of his favorites and one of his first expensive minerals back in the day.
Unknown Owner
Product details
Species
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions9.0 x 4.8 x 2.1 cm
Added on12/07/2024
Comments
Known provenance
Unknown date
Unknown Owner
$15,000.00—Species and Locality Wiki Pages
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