Anatase (di-tetragonal) (found in 1912) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

One of the most desirable minerals from the famous Binntal in Switzerland is Anatase. The Lercheltini area has produced some stellar examples over the years, but most of the good ones were found long ago, and you can only get them from old collections. Here we have a sharp, well-formed, gemmy to translucent, di-tetragonal crystal of Anatase measuring nearly a full centimeter without matrix. The habit is uncommon as you can see the first and second order faces, which are rarely observed in these crystals. This piece is a classic example of these old time crystals, and the golden color is indicative of what is sometimes referred to as "Wiserine" in the Alps. If you collect Alpine minerals, do not miss out on this attractive and very desirable crystal from this famous mineral producing valley in Switzerland. The label states that the piece was found in 1912. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#10541). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017).