Andradite var: Demantoid and Topazolite

Item Description

These fantastic Andradite specimens started showing up on the market in 2010. This limited, but world-class discovery certainly bolstered the world's supply of Andradite specimens (both in the forms of the varieties Demantoid and Topazolite). As mentioned the locality was short-lived, and the Antetezambato Mine produced specimen for only a brief time. It is almost certain according to our source that no more specimens will be ever collected, and it's a shame because these are some of the best examples of Andradite from any modern locality. It's important to note that it's rare to find good gemmy crystals of Andradite on matrix like this. This thumbnail sized piece is a showy and fine quality example featuring several of very sharp, highly lustrous, good sized, crystals of both golden-brown Topazolite and greenish Demantoid showing trapezohedral and dodecahedral faces sitting on matrix. Internally, the crystals are gemmy, and the largest crystal measures 1.6 cm across. A good quality and showy piece with highly attractive crystals. Very little damage, and rather eye-catching.
This piece comes to us from the legendary Ron Romanella (February 28, 1932 - October 24, 2022), a well-known gem and mineral dealer from New York City. He studied mineralogy at Columbia School of Mines, and he was mentored by Dr. Frederick Pough of the American Museum of Natural History. Ron learned about the business side from well-known mineral dealers Hugh Ford and Maurice Hammoneau. Ron himself was a mentor to other successful East Coast mineral dealers such as Larry Conklin, Herb Obodda and even employed Dave Wilber for a time. He largely transitioned out of selling minerals as his business focused more on gems for the last few decades, and his sons Michael and Jerry have been running the family business in Scottsdale for many years now. With that said, Ron was one of the great powerhouse mineral dealers in the US for many years, offering fine quality specimens and gem crystals from classic and contemporary localities. Among his top achievements, is that Ron is credited with importing the first known crystals of Tanzanite into the US in the 1960s.