Bixbyite with Topaz

Item Description

A single, large, sharp, 9 mm, almost black, super lustrous, metallic Bixbyite is set attractively on a very contrasting off-white rhyolite matrix. Bixbyite is an uncommon di- and tri-valent manganese oxide and this well-composed piece is from the Solarwind Claim in Utah, one of the best localities in the world for fine crystallized Bixbyite. The crystal itself is dominated by cube faces with dodecahedral modifications at the corners producing a geometrically engaging crystal! The display front is then accented by several, gemmy, pale pink, prismatic, scintillating Topaz crystals from 2 to 6 mm, most of which are doubly terminated. There are even a few 1 to 1.5 mm, shiny, isolated, little Bixbyites scattered on the front. Many such specimens are thumbnails, where this is instead a nice, hefty piece for display.