Crichtonite

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Crichtonite is a geochemically complex and fascinating historical species which was once confused with Ilmenite. It is named after the Scottish physician (medical doctor) and mineral collector Sir Alexander Crichton (1763-1856) who led a privileged life as private physician to a Russian emperor (Tsar), and who provided the original material from Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans to Count de Bournon. However, there were two separate substances, one of which was later proven to be platy Ilmenite. The true Crichtonite was far more complicated, forming glossy black steep rhombohedral crystals. Subsequently found at other 'alpine-type' mineral localities it remains a very rare species, especially in good crystals. This miniature specimen is richly invested in well-formed small Crichtonite crystals. It comes from the famous Wanni Glacier (Wannigletscher), Binn Valley, Wallis (Valais), Switzerland. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).