Name: Bixbyite
Brand: The Arkenstone
Price: 7500 USD
Availability: InStock

Updated 2d ago

Bixbyite

When I obtained the Charlie Key collection in around 2010 (in partnership with Marshall Sussman), we spent 5 days with Charlie listening to stories and packing minerals on the 3rd floor walkup of a condo in Maine (packing was easy...carrying 3000 pieces down was not so much fun). We had a few surprises. Charlie was a pack rat and hoarder. Sometimes he just KEPT stuff - whole finds or pockets that he loved. Intellectually, and for quality, he fell in love with Bixbyite and kept a number of pieces of a size that simply shocked me to the point I could not even identity at first what I was holding. This is a giant for the species! I cannot recall seeing its equal, in size. This is a MAJOR example of the species and a beautiful huge crystal of any rarity, with impactful viewing that makes it stand out in any case. We have held it back for a decade or so, by accident (I lost it...), and it belongs in a museum or an important collection at this time. A note about Charlie - he was literally legendary among minerals and the development of the mineral trade in southern Africa in his day, the kind of unassuming man who in real life was more like Indiana Jones; and lived modestly despite having a role in the invention of London Blue Topaz (which is now a billion dollar market).

$7,500.00