Aegirine (classic material)

Item Description

A good-sized and fine quality specimen of these world-class Aegirines. There is no argument that the largest and finest examples of Aegirine ever found are those from Mount Malosa, Malawi. The various alkali pegmatites on this mountain are almost certainly the most well-known locality in the entire country. This particular specimen features a fine, sharp, highly lustrous, deep greenish-black prismatic crystal of Aegirine with minor associated Albite at the base for a great touch. Aegirine is a Pyroxene species, typically found in dull examples, but you would be hard-pressed to find sharper or more LUSTROUS crystals than those from Mount Malosa.
From the synthetic mineral suite of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio (#12827-a). This husband and wife duo were actively involved in the mineral world for many decades. Bill was a PhD geologist, and Anne was a mathematician, and they both were very serious mineral collectors. Bill served for many years as adjunct curator of mineralogy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame on October 12, 2019. Both Bill and Anne, at various times, served as president both of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and of the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.