Milarite

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Originally named, erroneously, after Val Mila in Switzerland - when the specimens had in fact come from a different neighbouring valley - this very rare hydrated potassium calcium beryllium aluminium silicate usually only occurs in sub-cm sized crystals. There are always exceptions, and the Jaguaraçu Pegmatite in Minas Gerais state, Brazil is the one, where distinctive, prominent, longer and broader, pale lemon yellow-centred prismatic crystals occur. This large thumbnail specimen is a perfect example, demonstrating the unusual, and attractive colour, with zonation, with a wonderful 1.1 cm long doubly-terminated prismatic crystal sat on matrix. Small but very showy for this rarity. From the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).