Boracite (ex. Greenbank collection, 1993)

Item Description

The Lindsay Greenbank collection of English minerals had many fine rare species examples in it such as this boracite crystal pocket, when we purchased it in 2008 (right as the economic crash hit, unfortunately! but good stuff is good stuff and you have to get it when you can!). This sparkling hemisphere of matrix holds a pocket with protected, rare, individual crystals of glassy and gemmy, pastel green boracite, to 4mm. This many not seem huge, but it is very big for the species form this location, and of top quality for sparkly luster. This is a very rare magnesium borate that, while found elsewhere in the world as larger crystals or loose crystals, just simply is not so beautiful from other locations. However, the crowning glory of this specimen is the unusual stalactite growth composed of super sharp and lustrous boracite crystals. This stalactite measures 2 cm in length and is highly unusual. Recovered in 1993 by the mine surveyor, this is a significant and aesthetic specimen that was later in the Greenbank collection until 2008. It was valued at the time at $2000. More has not come out, since, and it is only more rare today.