Bixbyite on Topaz (classic material) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

One of the signature minerals from Utah is Bixbyite. It was named after Maynard Bixby, a miner, mineral dealer and author who was one of the prominent figures in the early days of Utah mineralogy, and the discover of the species that bears his name. This piece is not your typical Bixbyite specimen in the sense that the association is unusual. Now it's not at all uncommon to find Bixbyite on Topaz, but this one is strange because the Topaz is included what is most likely sand particles, but it could easily be another species or possibly a rock type. These inclusions give the Topaz a soft silvery color, as opposed to the typical rich golden sherry hue we're used to seeing this material. The Bixbyite crystals are the classic cubic habit with sharp, jet-black faces, measuring up to 2.5 mm on edge. Good quality all around. If you collect minerals of Utah, or if you especially like material from the Thomas Range, this is a really cool esoteric specimen that will round out your suite. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#12868). Kay was a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics. She nearly lived 100 years from April 1920 - March 2020. See the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record ( https://www.mineralogicalrecord.com/pdfs/Kay%20Robertson%20Collection.pdf ), and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017.