Augelite

Item Description

Here we have an old-time specimen of the rare and beautiful green Augelite crystals from Rapid Creek, up in the Yukon. The piece was collected in the 1980s and features a rich coverage of dozens of sharp, lustrous, gemmy, beautiful light green colored tabular crystals of Augelite measuring up to 6 mm, sitting atop a matrix that hosts deep inky blue Lazulite on the bottom. Augelite is a relatively rare phosphate, and some of the most beautiful (and well known) crystals of the material are found in the Yukon Territory. This area is only accessible for a few months per year and is rather treacherous terrain for collecting specimens. I have not seen many of these specimens on the market in the last few years, especially in this size and quality. The fact that these crystals are actually a beautiful green color makes them highly desirable, as most Augelite crystals are colorless. Valued at $1,500-$2,000. From the collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman. Dave is now retired, but among other things, he was the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".