Adularia pseudomorph after Ernstite (incredibly rare) (ex Dr. Wouter van Tichelen Collection)

Item Description

This may be a one-of-a-kind specimen, as I've never seen another like it. The piece is a fantastic thumbnail display specimen featuring a pair of diverging crystals of what was formerly Ernstite (an iron manganese phosphate species) that have been completely replaced by snow white colored Adularia Feldspar. The "sword"-shaped monoclinic terminations of the Ernstite crystal are actually fairly well-preserved when you look at the pseudomorphs from the correct angle. Additionally, the centers of the crystals are partially hollow, making these unique "casts" as well! When it comes to phosphate species has such storied and unique mineralogical examples, and this piece is certainly one of the more unusual and fascinating pieces I've seen from Linópolis. A MUST-HAVE piece for its rarity and uniqueness for any fan of thumbnails, pseudomorphs or Brazilian minerals. From the prestigious pseudomorph collection of Dr. Wouter van Tichelen of Belgium.