Aragonite on Aragonite

Item Description

Exceptional and sculptural large aragonite on aragonite (not strontianite as the old label says) plate from this famous sulfur mine, that closed in 1984. This was a famous find for collectors, and now they are almost never seen on the market! Classic, striking cyclically-twinned, pseudo-hexagonal, translucent, lustrous, mint-green aragonite prisms are richly and dramatically strewn on the undulating matrix plate. The impressive, large for the locale crystal on the right side is 6.2 cm long and is doubly terminated. The mounded matrix is composed of an earlier aragonite generation of spherical aggregates of tiny, sugary, aragonite spikes. The Giumentaro Mine is famous for aragonites and are regarded worldwide as some of the finest examples of the species. Vivid pink SW UV fluorescence on the small aragonite crystals and light pink fluorescence on the large crystals. Ghostly white LW UV fluorescence on the large crystals. An outstanding fluorescent specimen. Comes with a custom-made and engraved lucite base (valued at $200 or more itself), for free. A superb and pristine large aragonite on aragonite from the mine. Valued at $2500, or more, for the quality and size. Note that it was formerly in the Collection of Dr. Ed David, science advisor to President Nixon. We bought his second collection in his 80's, in 2005. This is a major example of this material!