Andyrobertsite & Calcioandyrobertsite (from holotype) ex Pinch Collection

Item Description

This specimen is part of the 2020 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 24, for payment using PayPal or credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost, or please contact brandy@mineralauctions.com if you'd like to plan on picking up items at future shows or during a stop through Dallas.

A stunningly important rarity known in quality from only a single specimen, and among the most impossible-to-obtain species from Tsumeb, this was given to me as a gift by Bill Pinch, probably around 2010. This specimen box holds "scrapings" carefully made from the crystals on the backside of Bill's most-prized specimen, the holotype example of both of these beautiful species. A long story goes with the piece that is published elsewhere about how he found it, mislabelled as a linarite, sitting out on a shelf at a show. It is just under 2 inch tall and neon blue. He knew it had to be something new and amazing! It was originally collected in 1950, and languished unrecognized until Bill's amazing sight-ID instincts kicked into play. This specimen was later on a cover of the Mineralogical Record, and remained his most treasured Tsumeb piece ever, so far as he told many people. It now resides in a private collection in the USA. However, one time after dinner at his home as we were horsetrading on another deal, Bill sat down and carefully scraped these bits off the back of the world's best crystal of the species to have his way with me on an exchange. They are generally cleavages, but it is as good for this species as is possible to obtain now. The sample box measures 3 x 3 cm, and so this is a rich trove of micros of both species. Photos by Jingnan Zhang.

Donated by Rob Lavinsky in honor of a friend and mentor to all of us, Bill Pinch.