Magnesite with Florencite-(Ce)

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Pomba pit is one of many opencast Magnesite deposits near Brumado in Bahia, Brazil and has been the source of fine Magnesite crystals since at least the 1980s. Indeed, in that time it has produced some of the world's finest Magnesite crystals, but has provided some other high quality rarities too, including the rare rare earth-bearing cerium aluminium phosphate hydroxide, Florencite-(Ce). This wonderful miniature specimen is dominated by two superb co-joined colourless to white, glassy Magnesite crystals. The largest crystal is nearly 3 cm in length on its longest side, and the other about 1 cm, but both show exceptional shape compared with most for here, with really well-defined faces and lovely beveled edges on the smaller crystal. Sadly, a small part of the rear of the larger Magnesite crystal is cleaved away. However, as a major bonus, two well-formed lozenge-shaped beige to orange-brown Florencite-(Ce) crystals are slightly sunken into the surfaces of the Magnesite. The largest Florencite-(Ce) crystal reaches 8 mm in length. From the exceptionally comprehensive rare species collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).