Andalusite (rare locality specimen)

Item Description

This specimen is labeled as coming from "Zillertal, Austria", though I can't find an entry on any database to confirm this, and I believe it's likely from the Lüsenser Tal (Lüsens Valley) which is also in the Tyrol of Austria. This piece features a predominant prismatic, dark almost "smoky" bluish colored crystal measuring 2.3 cm long, along with a few other Andalusite crystals (some of which are not complete) on Quartz matrix. The main crystal is in good shape, and it's even just a tiny bit translucent on the edges when strongly backlit. These are hard to find on the market, so if you collect Alpine minerals, European minerals or you're a fan of the Andalusite / Kyanite / Sillimanite polymorphs, don't miss out. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974 ( https://www.mindat.org/photo-326405.html ).