Stillwellite-(Ce)

Unknown Owner

The remote glacial valley at Darai-Pioz in Alai Range, Tien Shan Mtn in the bizarrely titled Region of Republican Subordination in Tajikistan is a quite remarkable mineralogical haven. It is known for a stunning 46 Type Species, nearly all of which are either rare earth-bearing or contain cesium , zirconium or boron. Beyond the Type Species, it is also credited as the source of the finest crystalline examples of some rare earth-bearing species, including Stillwellite-(Ce). This individual small thumbnail crystal of the cerium dominant rare earth borosilicate is nicely formed, with several excellent crystal faces and at 1.1 x 1.1 x 1 cm is a very good size for this extremely rare species. It displays the classic fudge colour and has inclusions of a few other species on one side. It is not only from an extremely remote locality, but recent reports suggest that this region is very hostile to visitors. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).