Andorite with Zinkenite (rare) (ex Francesco Bedogne Collection)

Item Description

From the historic find in November 2004. Andorite is lead, silver, antimony sulfosalt and was named for the Hungarian mineral collector Andor von Semsey (1833-1923), who holds a remarkable distinction for having two mineral species named after him (andorite and semseyite). I personally acquired the entire lot of ALL the good crystals that came into the U.S. in 2004, which many experts considered to be such a significant find, that it completely redefined Andorite as a crystallized species. This mine at San Jose dates Spanish mining as far back as the year 1595 and was mined by Incan Indians for several centuries prior. In all the years of mining, these are undoubtedly, the worlds finest Andorites extant! These specimens were extracted from the same vein system worked by the father of Bolivian mineralogy, Federico Ahlfeld. Ahlfeld worked the San Jose mine and Itos mine (the other significant andorite locality at the same mountain in Oruro) when the mines were used predominantly as a major sources of tin to the United States during WWII. The best examples of the species have come from Bolivia. The piece features a classic, steel-grey, lustrous multi-layered, doubly-terminated crystal group of Andorite associated with rare prismatic "sprays" of Zinkenite needles. A very aesthetic and showy specimen, and is in AMAZINGLY good condition for this material, despite a little roughness. It is very difficult to find any samples of this mineral on the market today, and until very recently, the locality had not produced specimens in MANY years. A wonderful opportunity to own a good display specimen with excellent associations. Valued at $900. From the worldwide collection of famed Italian mineral collector, field collector and author, Francesco Bedogne of Sondrio, Italy (Collection #2014) with two labels from Renato and Adriana Pagano. Bedogne wrote dozens of articles and several books about the mineralogy of Italian Alpine localities such as Val Bregaglia, Val Masino, Val Codera, Val Spluga, Valtellina and the famous Val Malenco. He was also the founder of the Valtellinese Mineralogical Institute.