Eosphorite on Rose Quartz

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The hydrated manganese aluminium phosphate hydroxide mineral Eosphorite is actually known from quite a number of localities worldwide, but only a few are renowned for well-formed crystals. Of those, the Ilha Claim sited on a small island in the river at Taquaral. near Itinga, in Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil is one of the best known and has been since the 1960s. The reason for this is multifaceted. Despite being provenanced simply to Taquaral, there is strong reason to believe that this piece is from Ilha Claim. The main reason is its association with crystallized Rose Quartz, but also due to the extreme richness of the Eosphorite crystals, and their quite gemmy nature. Nearly two-thirds of this large miniature specimen is covered with well-formed terminated prismatic orange-brown Eosphorite crystals, individually reaching 7 mm in length. Larger Eosphorite crystals are known from elsewhere in Minas Gerais state, but with size they tend to lose their colour and glassy lustre. This specimen is an extremely fine, and displayable Eosphorite, and is mounted on an acryllic base for display. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).